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CA-38 USS San Francisco
built by Keith Bender

1/350 USS San Francisco CA-38 (Classic Warships)
This is the USS San Francisco, CA 38, in 1:350 scale, using the Classic Warships kit. The building time was approx. 45 hours. The model was built on commission for son of former crew member the late LTJG Jack Wallace. Mr. Wallace earned the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions against the enemy during night battle on Nov. 13, 1942. Mr. Wallace survived the battle and remained in the navy to make a career of it. Displayed in case with model are Mr. Wallace's medals and two pieces of Japanese "Betty" bomber which crashed aboard San Francisco during the night battle. The model was painted with White Ensign Colourcoats Navy Blue 5-N, Weather Deck Blue 20-B and Norfolk Anti fouling Red # 65. The navy blue was lightened 25 % with light Gray 5-L and this could have even been done more. I used Testors Model Master flat black for waterline and small details. Grimy black was used inside stacks.
I added some Gold Medal photoetch in addition to what was supplied with kit. Both forward and main mast are scratchbuilt using brass tube. All mast stays are .006 brass wire. The rigging is silk thread. 8" gun barrels are bored with a .022 drill = 8 scale inches. The hull: Both upper and lower halves had to have the heat treatment to bend into a flat state. These were then lined up best as possible and clamped then drilled and temporary screwed together. They were then released and glued with "Quick Grab" then re-screwed. I use this glue on everything that needs a permanent gluing. I've used it for over ten years now and never had anything come loose due to the glue. The bow had to have about 1/16 " added to the lower half to even up the stem because the casting was shorter then the upper half. The four shaft exits needed to be removed and relocated.
Overall the kit went together pretty easily with very few interruptions due to poor quality. As in all resin kits I had to give all the resin parts a quick massage before any assembly could begin. Keith Bender