1/350 USS Brooklyn CL-40 (Yankee Model Works)

After a protracted (7 1/2 years) build, I've finally completed and delivered a commission build of the USS BROOKLYN CL 40, to her new owner, who should be very familiar to all of us who are afflicted with AMS (Advanced Modeller's Syndrome).
 
The model is based on a Yankee Model Works (ex Classic Warships) kit in 1/350th, and has been back-dated to a pre-war (1939) fit, with no radar or splinter shielding and a reduced anti-aircraft fit. Due to the build seemingly to go on forever, I could have added more details, but didn't - she's missing cable reels, etc. on the upper deck, her two 26' Motor Whale Boats either side of her after superstructure, and the rigging could have been more extensive.
 
Alterations to the kit included brass 6" barrels for the main battery, reworked (replaced) decks to the forward 02, 03, and 04 Bridge superstructure levels, scratch-built main battery directors, towers, (and cereba around the forward one), scratch-built .5" MG platforms on either side of the after superstructure, scratch-built masts and siren platform on the forward funnel (AARRGGHHH !!!), new barbettes for the 6" turrets, scratch-built base for the aircraft handling crane, scratch-built boat cranes (with P-E booms from GGM's SAN FRANCISCO), and reworked details (vents) on the after superstructure. The hull plating was done by building up progressive layers of Mr Surfacer with Tamiya masking tape applied and removed as required for each run of plating. After that, all the hull scuttles (port-holes) were drilled out, about 230 for each side!!!
 
P-E was a mix of kit P-E, GMM's excellent set for the SAN FRANCISCO, L'Arsenal details and catapults, and Tom's Modelworks.
 
The 5"/25 Cal AA Guns and searchlights are from the excellent Veteran aftermarket sets - the details on these items are fantastic. The aircraft are Trumpeter SOC's with GMM P-E struts, and cowlings from the WEM aircraft. Paint was WEM of course. The sea base is an acrylic gell painted with Tamiya paints for a North Atlantic colour.
 
Finally, I received a lot of help that was greatly appreciated from Tony Bunch and Roger Torgeson - both of whom are working on or have completed a similar build with the same kit, but as the USS HONOLULU and USS PHOENIX.
I also received invaluable help from Dana Bell for information on turret and aircraft markings (hope I got the aircraft right) and from Jim Bell on the BROOKLYN's boat compliment. Thanks guys - this what I think model building is all about.
 
Last but not least - a very big Thank You to Bill G, for his patience and understanding with the length of this build, while I sorted out a mid-life course correction.
 

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