By Richard Sliwka
1/350 USS Atlanta CL-51 1942 (Gulfstream)
This is the Gulfstream Kit (manufactured by Commander Series Models
in the mid-1990s). This was a long-term project for various reasons. I
started the "build" in 1998 and had it about 90 percent (including painting)
compete by late-summer 2000 when I broke my leg in a bicycle accident.
That stopped all building for five months; and, after my recovery, I embarked
on other projects. Finally, in September 2007, I decided to complete the
job.
In the seven years that lapsed since I last worked on the Atlanta,
I learned a lot about the techniques of model ship building. Initially,
I thought about "redoing" some of the things on the Atlanta; however, my
mixed paints had long disappeared and matching new paint was a major project
so I decided to leave everything as was and work very carefully
The model was built out-of-the box with few exceptions. I replaced
the kit's medal masts with scratch-built tapered brass rods and added numerous
mast details--lights, bell, look-out enclosure, etc. I also added extensive
rigging detail--out-riggers, tie-downs, etc.--using .002", .003" and .004"
dia fishing line. The aft depth charge position was detailed with k-guns,
davits. etc. I also replaced the 20mm guns, 1.1" quad mount, and MK-37
radar with L'Arsenal products (more detail than those provided in the kit).
These were accomplished during the recent "restart". The model was painted
in Measure 12M to represent the Atlanta during the 1942 Guadalcanal campaign.
Polly Scale Navy Blue (5-N) and Haze Gray (5-H) acrylic paints were used.
The hull was air-brushed and the superstructure "splotches" were hand-painted.
The was a relatively easy kit to build with excellent engineering and detailed
instructions. It's unfortunate that the kit has been out-of-production
for many years as it would be a good kit for a first-time resin builder.
This project took about 250 hours to complete over the nine year period.
