Trumpeter 1/350 USS Massachussetts WW2 Battleship

This is one of my all time favorites regarding modeling projects and most definitely longest lasting project.  This model took apx. a year to build.  It tied my patience on many occasions but I was determined to complete it to my highest standard as planned when I started the project.  It started with the basic 1/350 Trumpeter plastic kit but I then included more add-ons and extra parts then I can recall.  As well as a host of scratch built parts.  Many of the extra parts were added because I either lost a small part to the carpet monster or destroyed the part as part of the building process because so many of the small fine parts were snapped off as a built up the ship.  Most of the add-ons were small metal photo-etched parts, including the 40mm cannon mounts, railings, radar arrays, sailors, etc.  All the gun barrels are various brands of turned brass.  The larger radar array was scratch built with wire because the original photo etch parts were destroyed by me more then once as part of the learning curve and building process.  I could not afford to keep purchasing this part over and over so built it on my own with my own material the best I could.  The most unique extra part, and a first to me, is the complete deck bottom and upper is made out of actual wood and then stained deck grey/blue.   All the rigging is hand made and the canvas covers which appear throughout the ship were built using various shapes of aluminum foil stained a canvas color and weathers appropriately to look like sea worn canvas.

So why put so much energy into this model; why make this battle wagon such a huge project?  It's because I know this ship inside and out from my many visits to battleship cove museum in Fall River, MA.  Its a 15 minute drive from where I grew up.  My dad started taking me to this ship before I am even old enough to remember, then I continued the tradition taking my children several times.  I even spent a weekend sleep on this ship as part of a boy-scout weekend excursion with my son "Austin".  This I will never forget, neither will Austin.  So of coarse I wanted to build this kit, and because of my personal experiences with her I had to make it my greatest. most complex project ever regarding my my modeling making career.  Hope you enjoy!