Author Topic: USS Oregon gun boat (Read 8667 times)

finsrin · « **on:** October 04, 2021, 07:08:24 PM »

Going for a gun boat build. Glencoe 1/225 USS Oregon to be 118.5 foot 1/72 gunboat. To sail with USS Arizona based gun boat from 2016.
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2769.0

After sizing a few parts appears M60 tank turrets are best fit for main battery. Looking at secondary battery options. More later....

see attached

finsrin · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2021, 05:47:32 PM »

Getting to it now. Cutting hull to be waterline model. Decided on armament donors (seems firm), requires cutting patching and such.

Attached picture of donors.

LemonJello · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2021, 11:22:16 PM »

Interested in seeing how this develops. Continue!

Frank3k · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2021, 11:26:44 PM »

Should be interesting! That Oregon model was new when some of the dinosaurs were still around. The tank turrets will look good.

finsrin · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2021, 10:44:47 AM »

Progress - sorta. Hull cut down to be water line model (diorama compatible). Can't find way to mount M60 turrets that is not a kludge.
Stash browsing turn up this: 1/35 Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind turret is exact fit in deck hole where main battery goes. As you can see, turret needs trimming to clear superstructure. Will try that.

Frank3k · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2021, 12:44:12 PM »

Can't you trim back the superstructure and just have the bridge overhang, or is the Wirbelwind turret too tall?

finsrin · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2021, 02:02:47 PM »

Quote from: Frank3k on October 12, 2021, 12:44:12 PM

Can't you trim back the superstructure and just have the bridge overhang, or is the Wirbelwind turret too tall?

Turret needs rear & side cut backs to rotate clear of superstructure. Lots of cutting and aligning panels more vertical - UGH. By omitting top half it is not too tall then cut plastic for flat top.
This has me revisiting M60 turrets with success.

finsrin · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2021, 11:47:11 AM »

Back at building. Going with M60 turrets. Filled turret holes in main deck with plastic card. Removed rear of M60 turrets reducing ammo storage but plenty of storage in hull. Using turret ring of M60 as a mount so turrets will rotate. Can now get to other things....

see attached

apophenia · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2021, 09:44:38 AM »

Looking good. Amazing how much the look changes once you've bobbed the back of those M60 turrets! Very cool

Frank3k · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2021, 10:27:14 AM »

It's going to look like a twin gun version of the HMS Roberts:

finsrin · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2021, 11:15:21 AM »

1/35 Flakpanzer turrets have potential for another Oregon build. M60 turrets are simpler to integrate. Get more done and better photo light will post more.

Regarding HMS Roberts: used Paint to design short monitor version of USS Oregon. With careful cutting is buildable. Stash has a few kits to work with.

Monitor and full size plans are attached.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2021, 09:39:52 PM »

I've got a book about a Royal Navy gun boat like this --- trying to remember what it was called -----

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2021, 09:59:00 PM »

Quote from: kitnut617 on October 21, 2021, 09:39:52 PM

I've got a book about a Royal Navy gun boat like this --- trying to remember what it was called -----

This perhaps?

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2021, 03:11:46 AM »

Danged if this doesn't make me want to build one of the German Flak lighters. Looking good!

kitnut617 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2021, 03:19:09 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on October 21, 2021, 09:59:00 PM

Quote from: kitnut617 on October 21, 2021, 09:39:52 PM
I've got a book about a Royal Navy gun boat like this --- trying to remember what it was called -----

This perhaps?

No, the book was about it's WWII exploits, it might have been a river gun boat but used along the coast line. I'm fairly sure it was in the Mediterranean theatre.

The front cover shows a ship similar to what Bill is building and it's in action, shelling something but IIRC it is being attacked by aircraft too.

EDIT: Found what the book is called --- Armed with Stings. It's about the RN's Insect Class Gunboats

finsrin · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2021, 08:17:10 AM »

Thanks for the book tips you guys. Peaks my interest.

Digging into stash today located 1/105-1/110 (quick measurement) built wood model USS Oregon.
Was lightly damaged display model at a store which sells completed wood models. Bought at DEEP discount, could not pass it up. Project for another day.....

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2021, 02:26:57 PM »

Nice work.

I really am liking where this is going

On the HMS Roberts, I have the built the 1/350 Trumpeter kit and it came out quite alright. It is a ship that looks like it means business.

finsrin · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2021, 05:08:47 PM »

Made progress, like to made more. Oregon has four anchors. Two port & starboard at the bow. Gun boat to have one on each side.
To do something with aft positions they are now turrets for 50 cal (30 cal ?) defensive positions. Using casement mounts from 1/426 USS Arizona will insert metal barrels same as on USS Arizona gun boat. Pictures show cut open anchor positions with turret mounts.

Main gun positions holes filled with card stock for M60 turrets. Decided to include the machine gun turret on M60 turrets. Easier than devising a hatch.

see attachments

finsrin · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2021, 11:37:54 AM »

Done a few things between other callings.
Cleaned hull sides by PSR of 1/225 portholes.
Main turret mount spots nearly smooth via PSR and primer.
Cut back bone off top of upper deck so its flat for mounting the bridge. Left mount for rear funnel.
Finding workable bridge has taken time. After much fuss am trying something different. Cutting off rear of HO diesel unit for rear of bridge. Adapting Revell 1/108 tug boat to front of it. This way bridge front fits between forward secondary turrets. Maybe whimsical, will see. Hey, its kit bashing.

attached picture of cutting HO unit.....

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2021, 10:37:21 PM »

Sounds like good ideas for the bridge work - I really like the look of the train part.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2021, 05:38:02 AM »

Bits of train can work remarkably well.

Using one of the anchor wells for a turret for more guns... why not

finsrin · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2021, 06:51:31 PM »

Abandoned doing bridge based on train parts. After couple configs it just didn't work well with Oregon architecture. May work on another build. Ended up going with bridge (exclude cabin) of 1/72 Revell Walter Rose.

Similar back-n-forth adjustments with mounting M60 main turrets. Got that figured out. Using M60 hull turret mount made turrets to high. Discarded that and cut mount ring off underside of turrets for proper sitting on deck. Drilled hole in deck plate (plastic card) for tube glued in center of turret to go through.

in work turret pictures attached

Frank3k · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2021, 06:25:27 AM »

Its looking good lowered. It reminds me of this M60 training turret

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #23 on:** November 13, 2021, 07:15:23 AM »

Coming along nicely

finsrin · « **Reply #24 on:** November 20, 2021, 07:57:15 PM »

Got enough parts placed together for a ruff look at configuration. M60 turrets sized well to total size. Four round places on 2nd deck to have Sherman 75mm turrets.
Won't be all grays, color is coming. Funnel is OOB using rear position only.

see attached opening with Paint works best for me

Old Wombat · « **Reply #25 on:** November 20, 2021, 09:25:00 PM »

Looks pretty good, Bill!

Frank3k · « **Reply #26 on:** November 21, 2021, 01:05:17 AM »

That's really looking good. With that bridge it reminds me of a Vietnam war river gun boat.

apophenia · « **Reply #27 on:** November 21, 2021, 06:11:24 AM »

Looking good!

Quote from: finsrin on November 20, 2021, 07:57:15 PM

...M60 turrets sized well to total size. Four round places on 2nd deck to have Sherman 75mm turrets...

And that is some serious firepower for the size of ship

finsrin · « **Reply #28 on:** November 21, 2021, 08:29:03 AM »

Thanks guys. Does pack firepower for size. This era naval architecture lends itself to kit-bashing and scale-o-rama. Didn't make Vietnam connection but see it now. Want to move along and finish.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #29 on:** November 22, 2021, 04:54:29 AM »

The turrets completely change the look of this ship. Nicely done

finsrin · « **Reply #30 on:** November 22, 2021, 03:24:08 PM »

Yes, turrets completely change the look. Thanks.
Buzzbomb's build got me to looking at Airfix Rescue Launch and Vosper kits for anything useful.
Decided to try Rescue Launch machine gun turret in round spot in front of bridge where OOB mast goes. Got that cut out and fitting well.
Be good to balance with other turret toward stern. Turns out rear of Rescue Launch deck house which mounts turret can be cut back to fit aft of funnel. Awkward area that did not know how to treat. Right width to clear Sherman turret rotation. Placed it there for photo. PSR needed. Turret mount bases are in place, both will rotate.
Unfinished M60 copulas in place for photo.
Will not use Opel truck 20mm turrets.

see attached

Old Wombat · « **Reply #31 on:** November 22, 2021, 04:15:08 PM »

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #32 on:** November 23, 2021, 10:38:07 AM »

Coming along nicely!

finsrin · « **Reply #33 on:** November 30, 2021, 09:38:31 AM »

Not finishing before GB deadline. Thanks to GB did get about half done. With that have solved design-fitment issues. Hope to finish in December.

Also -- Is 1/108 USS Oregon in stash. Did turret sizing to be 1/72 large gun boat. Will have to wait till later.

finsrin · « **Reply #34 on:** January 24, 2022, 10:41:03 AM »

Been awhile - have WIP pictures. Structure not glued to main deck, bridge and such not glued. Machine guns have aftermarket metal barrels. In hull bow and center ones in super structure are 30 cal. The rest are 50 cal. Main turrets M60, secondary M4. Bridge is from Revell Walter Rose, front piece found at model trains store. Funnel is OOB. Aft housing on top deck is from Airfix RAF rescue launch. More to do.

Cheers
See attached

kitnut617 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 24, 2022, 10:05:42 PM »

That's really very good Bill

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #36 on:** January 25, 2022, 01:12:02 AM »

The wooden deck looks really good. Nice work!

Frank3k · « **Reply #37 on:** January 25, 2022, 01:19:43 AM »

The deck came out great and it reminds me of some of the WWII Russian riverine gunboats with T-34 turrets.

Kerick · « **Reply #38 on:** January 25, 2022, 04:07:15 AM »

I was just thinking of such a ship but with T-54/T-62 turrets and maybe a couple of T-34s patrolling the coast of some developing country that would have access the old Soviet equipment. Needs some radar and night vision equipment.
Your build is looking great!

finsrin · « **Reply #39 on:** January 25, 2022, 09:48:02 AM »

Thanks guys.
Was REALLY SURPRISED to discover cut to shape wood deck available for this long out of production kit. Fussing with basics of 1/426 USS Arizona mast to tripod mount on bridge. Or maybe use OOB mast. Add radar and goodies to it. Needs contrasting life rafts & rings. Holes in front & aft of top deck scheduled for two MG turrets (30 cal) from RAF rescue launch. For clearance, had to cut some of rear bustle off all six turrets. Nice to have most of figuring out and fitting done.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #40 on:** January 25, 2022, 02:56:55 PM »

Looking like a tough little nut!

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #41 on:** February 01, 2022, 08:10:42 PM »

Amazing build Bill. This one you most certainly hit out of the ball park.


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Author Topic: USS Oregon gun boat (Read 8667 times)