1/200 USS Hercules PHM-2 1986 (HobbyBoss)
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by Phil Toy |
1/200 USS Hercules PHM-2 1986 (HobbyBoss)
The HobbyBoss Pegasus PHM-1 kit builds into an attractive but inaccurate replica out of the box. It has the hull and superstructure details of the last 5 ships of the class and the aft hydrofoil configuration of PHM-1. The re-boxed HobbyBoss PHM-2 kit includes the correctly shaped aft hydrofoil for PHM 2-6. This model was built from the PHM-1 kit with the details, markings and colors representing USS Hercules in 1986 as found in photos in the premier issue of the now defunct magazine International Defense Images. The masts, funnel and vertical surfaces of the upper hull and superstructure were painted Testors Light Ghost Gray. Dark deck areas are Testors Gunship Gray and the light areas are Testors Neutral Gray. The lower hull was covered with Testors Metalizer Buffing Titanium. The hydrofoils were painted Testors Metalizer Dark Anodonic Gray-Buffing and the struts were painted Testors Metalizer Stainless Steel Buffing. In later years PHM-2’s lower hull was light grey without any boot topping. I used the kit’s decals with hull numbers coming from a Gold Metal Model sheet. The transom name and efficiency awards were modified from spare decals. The PHM-2 kit’s decal sheet already includes many of these markings, but research will be required to match the markings to the ships and time periods. The squadron shield was printed from a photo shopped copy of this decal sheet off the internet.The following improvements were made. A new bulkhead was added to blank off the forward foil strut area in the bow. On the stern the outlet for the foil borne water jet was capped off and the stern #2 service turbo generator exhaust was opened up and a new open door installed. The pilot house windows were cut opened and clear styrene windows later installed. With the open windows it was desirable to add the control consoles, related chairs, and scratch built crew figures. An inclined down ladder to CIC was added prior to gluing to pilot house to the superstructure.
Less than half the kit’s photo-etch sheet was used. Stretch sprue replacements were used for hand rails, railings and life lines. The etched parts for the fire control radar tripod mast is simplified compared to the real mast and stretched sprue and sheet styrene replacements were used. The main mast etched parts are simplified and undersized and the upper mast platform is set too low. Task lights, towing light, navigation lights and other fittings are missing. Replacements were made from bits of styrene stock and stretched sprue. I replaced some superstructure details that are too delicately molded or simplified. Stretched plastic tube hoses replaced the starboard kit hoses. A scratch made Danforth anchor replaced the kit supplied stockless anchor. A white canvas fold down awning (found only on PHM-2) was attached to the superstructure on the portside. A scratch-built Zodiac boat, fenders, gangway, hose, and faked rope were added aft. The stern flagstaff was modified and offset to starboard of the stern chock.
For the seascape, smooth foam with pits cut out for the hydrofoils was painted with a mixture of Pythalocyanine Green, Blue, and Black acrylic paint. After glossing and filling the holes with Liquitex gloss medium varnish, clear sheet styrene and Liquitex gloss super heavy gel medium was used to build up the strut created wakes. More gloss medium varnish and cotton was used to finish the wakes.
