Line Cruiser USS Alaska CB-1 Model created by Grzegorz Nowak Cover by Grzegorz Nawrocki Translated by Strange with much help from Saul H. Jacobs General Notes: This model requires a large amount of work, but it is of a medium difficulty level. There are a large number of armaments and equipment that requires a lot of patience. Before beginning work on the model, please look over the assembly pictures and compare it to the parts, so that you understand how it all fits together. The assembly instructions are short so most of the work is shown on assembly pictures. Use the part numbering as a guide to the sequence of assembly -- the numbering sequence reflects the sequence of assembly. All formers should be strengthen by 1.5mm thick cardboard, which will guarantee stiffness of the body. It also is a good idea to touch up the edges of the parts, with the corresponding color and while assembling the model, painting assembled elements with clear coat. This will liven up the colors and make the model more resistant to damage. The underwater part of the ship should be painted black. The handrails can be made out of thin line. Body: All formers should be strengthened by 1.5mm cardboard. Caution: while assembling pay close attention to the symmetry of the hull. Covering of the bottom part of the hull, begins with 1a and 1b in the rear and parts 30L/30P in the front. Then one by one from both ends add corresponding parts until the parts meet in the middle. If the last, middle part does not fit well, it should be trimmed and adjusted for better fit. Next the deck: parts 31,32,33,34,35. The upper part of the hull: begin from the front parts 36L/36P, 37L/37P, 38L/38P and 39 in the rear. Thickened by gluing it on 1.5mm cardboard, parts 40A,B(L and P) cover with strips 41A,B(L and P) and parts 42A,B(L and P), the attach them to the hull, to the edge of B and D. Propulsion: According to example I, make four propeller shafts, cover them with rolled up strips 45B,C,D and 46B,C,D. Attach the supports 54E,F and 46E,F the attach the whole assembly to hull, according to assembly pictures. The propeller itself, parts 47A,B assemble and attach to the shafts. Assemble the rudder, part 44 and attach to hulk, in a way that allows movement. To the assembled hull, attach parts 48L,P. Deck: Before you start assembling everything else, form and attach parts 50A,B,C,D,E (see assembly pictures). Next the front quarterdeck: strengthen parts H-1,H-2,H-3,H-4,H-5 with 1mm cardboard, assemble parts according to assembly pictures. Attach deck part 51, around it attach strips 51C,D,E. Using assembly pictures and following the numbering sequence, build the rest of the forward quarterdeck from parts 52,53,54,55,56, with command center parts 57,58,59,60. Construction of the main mast if very complicated and it is made entirely from wires using patterns shown in assembly pictures. Rear quarterdeck is a bit more difficult than the forward quarterdeck. Start it forming two cylinders from 70A,70B(L and P) which should be attached to main deck, part 33. Next attach to the deck the following parts in sequence: 70C,70D,70E,70F, 70G,H, 70I,J(L and P), support beams 70K, 70M,N,O. Using the assembly pictures assemble the rest of the levels. In the marked area attach the chimney part 77. On the top of it, attach the cover 78. To the chimney from the front side attach the support structure 82K(with other elements shown in assembly pictures) from the rear side attach main mast support parts 82F and 82I,J. To part 79B attach 79D,E (base of 305mm guns rangefinder) then 79X,V,W(L and P). Assemble rangefinder 97I -- one on the command center second on the base of the rear quarterdeck. To 76b attach two assembled airplane cranes and boat cranes part 86. Weaponry: Towers of the main artillery part 50, can be made to turn and raise the guns independently. Start from the skeleton of the tower: parts 50A,B,C,D,E,F,G, earlier strengthened with 1mm cardboard. Prepare main guns with their bases according to the assembly pictures and insert them without using glue. If you would like to make covers for the guns while keeping the guns moveable, this is the time to make and attach them. If the covers are only to make the static guns look better, they can be attach after the whole tower have been assembled. Next the covering of the body of the gun tower: part 62K(remember to mark gun towers with letter A,B and X, as shown in assembly pictures). To the tower attach the remaining elements: 62N,O,Q,U,W,Q,S,TY,Z,z and the containers of the rescue nets, part 99, attached to the top. Medium artillery guns part 64, were also marked with letters A,B,C,D,E and F (A being first from the front and F last). Assemble towers according to the assembly pictures. The guns should elevate the 85deg angle. Using small cardboard circles attach the towers to the deck (they should easily rotate -- see assembly pictures). AA guns: 40mm part 65 and 20mm part 66, assemble using assembly pictures. Next catapults part 90 and airplanes part 69 -- attach to the deck. Remaining Elements: Parts not covered in the instructions, are shown on the assembly pictures. After all parts have been assembled, you can make handrails. In places marked with dots, on the deck and all levels of both quarterdecks, insert posts (of proportional height and thickness) to posts attach thin lines. The prefabricated, ready handrails, are available from other manufacturers, in kits. The places where handrails should be built are shown in assembly pictures. To make to model even more attractive, you can add the proper flags and signal banners.