Placing the Aircraft in the Hangar

Today I glued the aircraft that are to be in the hangar section while placing the potential positions of the aircraft on the main deck for future reference. The bulk of the aircraft in the hangar are six A-7 Corsairs II which are accompanied by three A-6 Intruders and a Marine Corps EA-6 Prowler.

Ship on the Base

Tonight I finally go to install the Midway on its base, a major milestone for this project! Used a plastic level to ensure that everything is straight and tightened a nut to secure the custom L bracket in place from underneath from the brass posts in the stern section. The bow brass post will be glued in place as a hole needs to remain for the lighting wiring. 

Securing the Base

To help secure the ship to the base I decided to created an L bracket out of a piece of coat hanger and I attached a threaded rod using some super glue. Since I was not sure how the ship was to be attached to the base several years ago I had glued two straws for to guide the lighting wiring but now one of them needs to be removed. Using tweezers, a small screw driver and a lot of patience I was able to free the small straw from the glue to make space for the L bracket.

Ship Stern

Tonight I installed that decking of the stern section now referred to as the "Fantail Cafe" at the USS Midway Museum located in San Diego California.

What do you do after drilling, painting of course!

A few days ago I realized that the elevator that is not attached to the deck had not been drilled with holes. Well while drilling I also realized that this needs to be painted with the same spray can that was used for the deck. So I went in my garage during my lunch break two days ago as I was working from home and gave it a few coats. I then painted by hand the light grey on the sides and underneath.

More Drilling

While reviewing parts in preparation of placing the Midway on its base, I realized that I never drilled holes into the floor of the elevator that is not attached to the deck. Fortunately I still had the document to print a transparent label with the guide for drilling the holes with my hand drill.

Anchors Away!

Tonight I glued the photo-etched versions of the anchors and with a little pleasure I threw in my trash bin the plastic ones.

Too Many Anchors

Yesterday I decided to work on the anchors and proceeded in painting the plastic ones that came with the kit. Today going through the box of the model as it has been a long time since I worked on the Midway I noticed on the aftermarket photo-etched sheet that bought several years ago came with much more detailed anchors which is nice as I was not fully impressed with the kits version. So I painted those ones and was just glad that I made this discovery as I was about to super glue the plastic version to the hull.

Electronics

Installed the electronics for the hangar lighting but found that the switch enclosure was a good 1mm to thick so I took it apart and just kept the actual hardware which shaved at least 2mm and used hot glue to keep everything in place.

Improving the Base

I found that the square mouldings made the base too "square" I returned to the hardware store ont the 19th and bought an 8' rounded moulding, saw by hand and glued with carpenter glue. I definitely prefer this look as it gives the base a more traditional look you wood expect to see with a ship case. The next day I spray painted the base with a primer since the base is composed of plastic and wood to give it a uniform look. Finally last night I gave the base a few coats black spray paint. Today I installed the bass stands and it really looks sharp!