HMS Ark Royal VI

[Weasel]

The idea behind this build is to envision a what if where the Macross universe timeline had taken place. Inspired by the Asuka II here:

http://unsd.macrossroleplay.org/asuka2carrier.html

The basic premise was to ask what the Royal Navy's response to new alien technologies would have been in this time line. Firstly the carrier was built substantially larger than the existing fleet carriers, being more akin to the Nimitz class. This additional room was used to expand the ships compliment of variable fighters and to allow for the substantially larger engines and power plant required to power the advanced ships systems.

In addition new stealth and weapon technologies were incorporated. New laser based CIWS form the main defence in addition to mobile robotic CIWS capable 'Destroids' and AA missile systems.

The ship itself is based on the 1:700 Trumpeter Nimitz hull with all the modifications scratch built. The lifts will stay in the same places but the superstructure will be totally rebuilt with a lower more sloped profile. The hull will be shaped similar to the Asuka II above with the hull sloping up to meet the deck.

Main deck here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4957083291/

The most dramatic change is the reworked flight deck with anti detection geometry So far the deck is WIP and the hull is at the beginning stages.... A long way to go but what do people think so far? Any feedback or ideas much appreciated after all no idea is perfect and modelling wise I am still learning!

A selection of other WIP shots here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/sets/72157624070039157/

Weasel

[Mossie]

Different, looking very much forward to seeing this progress!

[Cliffy B]

Can't wait to see more! 

[anthonyp]

Nice, always loved Macross Zero.

Interested to see your take on her, since the Asuka II was only about 829' long (according to her stats on the page).

[Weasel]

Thanks for all the kind words! The progress today has been a little slow unfortunately. This is mainly down to the time taken to scratch build the extensions for the lifts such that they fit with the new deck configuration:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4960732796/in/set-72157624070039157/

The hull is mostly there in terms of the kit parts and is now ready for the deck to go on:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4960725870/in/set-72157624070039157/

With the deck in place you can get an idea of how she will look. The front lifts will be flush with the deck in their up position (lift 1 is a bit of a bugger and needs work to meet the deck smoothly, but lift 2 has gone in like a charm). The back two lifts will be in movement with the left side being nearly fully down and the right lift being half way up. Here you can see the lifts, pre glue mated with the deck:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4960146051/in/set-72157624070039157/

(Note the raged gap on lift one  )

In terms of overall design, she is going to have a very slight ski jump mainly because it looks cool (I hope) but possibly in order to allow her heavier aircraft to get of the deck. See below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4960747428/in/set-72157624070039157/

the main hull will slope up to the new deck with a pretty shallow angle so as to minimise excess weight. The ship is going to be a fare bit larger than the Asuka II, I am treating this as a developed and enlarged version commissioned after the Asuka's successful launch.

The next big job is going to be building up the under side of the deck and then work can being on the superstructure which, in keeping with the deck is going to be sloped and non-rectangular.

Thanks again for any comments or feedback!

[pyro-manic]

Ahhh, finally it begins! Good luck matey, can't wait to see this progress.

[BlackOps]

Looks to be a very cool project, looking forward to watching it progress. 

[proditor]

Looks awesome so far, love the detail on the elevators! 

[Weasel]

Thanks for the comments, next update Sunday.

Before that though... a question. Does anyone have any good ideas or techniques for building multiples of very small scratch built parts. At the moment I am trying to build up a goalkeeper ciws (5 of them).

The technique I am trying at the moment is slow but it gets there: The whole thing is made up of layers of plasticard each with a different profile, laminated together to make the end ciws... Print out a page with templates, cut these out and glue them to the plastic, cut the plastic out, file off the paper, stick layers together.

This is slow and pretty torturous, so if anyone has any great advice on a better way then please let me know.

Thanks.

[PR19_Kit]

How about making one good one, taking a mould off it with silicon rubber and moulding the others from resin?

Doesn't have to be exotic resin either, I've done some 1/144 scale Harrier GR3 noses using 15 min. epoxy.

[Thorvic]

Thanks for the comments, next update Sunday.

Before that though... a question. Does anyone have any good ideas or techniques for building multiples of very small scratch built parts. At the moment I am trying to build up a goalkeeper ciws (5 of them).

The technique I am trying at the moment is slow but it gets there: The whole thing is made up of layers of plasticard each with a different profile, laminated together to make the end ciws... Print out a page with templates, cut these out and glue them to the plastic, cut the plastic out, file off the paper, stick layers together.

This is slow and pretty torturous, so if anyone has any great advice on a better way then please let me know.

Thanks.

Goalkeeper - Look for Revell or Dragon HMS Illustrious kit, you get 3 in the kit and one on the Weapon sprue

[Weasel]

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I am going to give casting a go as I have never done that before so it should be interesting.

The master CIWS is almost done, it needs some putty work to smoth of some rough surfaces and tidy up some gaps but it is almost there, The radar bits aren't included in the pics as these will be attached after casting:

Some pics of the CIWS with a 5p coin for scale.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4982715429/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4983315752/in/set-72157624070039157/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4982718429/in/set-72157624070039157/

(sorry for the shoddy quality, am strugling with my GF's cameras macro settings  )

The hull is also coming on quite well, again much putty work is needed to blend the panels and the basic hull together.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4983298134/in/set-72157624070039157/

The two platforms will mount the forward CIWS guns and will be extended down to accommodate the full depth of the turrets.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4982705519/in/set-72157624070039157/

Finally here is a general pic of the hull so far from the side. Most of the panelling is done here, but obviously there is much need for putty etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/4983313030/in/set-72157624070039157/

The next job is finishing off the panelling and putty work and attempting to cast the CIWS... fingers crossed 

[Weasel]

Update! Tower started, deck progressing and some more scratch building!

It has been going slowly recently but some news to report:

The main deck now has its anti-fall netting and side walkways fitted, just a bit of work required to blend them in etc:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064721094/in/set-72157624070039157/
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064734788/in/set-72157624070039157/

The CIWS platforms are all now fitted, two on the front, one amidships and two at the rear. I have positioned them to give maximum coverage despite the decks odd shape and also provide overlapping fire arks. Also if you are wondering what is going to protect the tower side amidships there will be a CIWS there too, just mounted differently from the others to give better protection the tower. You can see the rear platforms here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064118609/in/set-72157624070039157/
Although the support struts will be enclosed when it is finished.

The deck has had all the plastic underside stuff fitted and some parts detailed - like the rear balcony - However, these need sculpting to merge them all with the hull, each other and the walkways before they are finished.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064116101/in/set-72157624070039157/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064725220/in/set-72157624070039157/

The tower has been started, the main layers are in and the next step is to all the window structure before cladding the whole lot in plastic sheet.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064127465/in/set-72157624070039157/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064737986/in/set-72157624070039157/

And where it will be positioned on the deck:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064744002/in/set-72157624070039157/

Finally, I have started work on the compliment of Cheyenne's required for the defence towers aft of the tower and another two for roaming the deck. I have one full torso done, I just need to figure out how I am going to cast it as it is tiny and quite intricate.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064746640/in/set-72157624070039157/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064745336/in/set-72157624070039157/

And in position:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064136227/in/set-72157624070039157/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31444326@N06/5064753622/in/set-72157624070039157/

Obviously I need to build the legs and arms/guns but I have templates printed out so it shouldn't be too bad. Sorry about the poor quality of the pictures. I will try and get some better ones with my camera instead of my GF's once the sculpting is done on the hull.

Thanks for all the comments, any suggestions or ideas are most welcome! any cool idea is a good idea!

Thanks.

[Mossie]

Weasel, links don't seem to be working for the latest post.  Didn't see the previous post, work seems to be coming along well.

[Weasel]

I hope this works now. W