In order to fit new exhausts /which are bit longer than original resin exhausts/ the cables were cut out, and will be repositioned.
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2...t001cm2.th.jpg

Before the ribbing work begin on the portside the pipework was moved slightly away from the ribs.
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2...0021lz2.th.jpg

TBC...

Repiping completed.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1...t002cr1.th.jpg

TBC...

Exhausts
 

I dont have any reference picture of the exhausts themselves, but i do believe the fumes and sea water would be very harsh on hot metal.
The exhaust main box will show gradient rusting process.
The first stage was to give the box required texture. That was achieved by dubing the MMD green putty using hard brush. Than i pressed some indents with pin.
Painted flat brown.
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/2...t004ie9.th.jpg
This is the first stage. Next will be salt treatment :cool:
Stay tuned.

TBC...

Kitchen salt applied with help of moisture. Painted over with primer:
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/6...t002he8.th.jpg

Salt removed:
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5...0041dx6.th.jpg

Painted schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 and weathered with rust Tamiya pigments:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/8...t006am7.th.jpg

TBC...

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/8...1003zd0.th.jpg
Before the deck goes in the hull, the steel support girders were put in.

Detail of each beam:
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/734...1007bu6.th.jpghttp://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1...1008tv8.th.jpghttp://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5...1010xg7.th.jpg

Advantage is i can now drop the deck straight in without worry it might cave in. :know:

Talking about deck:
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7...1011pl5.th.jpghttp://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6...1012zh6.th.jpg

...and close up of the joint:
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4...1014lu0.th.jpg

TBC...

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8...2002qy4.th.jpg
The 2 strips from midship that were cut away.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4...1002tz2.th.jpg
Original flood holes from the kit.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5...1003ni7.th.jpg
Holes open, and grooved for PE.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3...1004hr0.th.jpg
PE in place. Note some holes are closed. This is the corect pattern for portside of U-552.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8...1005ix7.th.jpg
Note the diference between port and starboard side of the hull.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5...1007ii4.th.jpghttp://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2...1008pp2.th.jpg
Ribs behind the PE.:cool:

TBC...

Bottom part of CT.
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6...2005ct3.th.jpg

It will provide the support for the deck joint, and Conning Tower itself when it is finaly fited.
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1...2003hm4.th.jpg

TBC...

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5...3003ym7.th.jpg
Side strips applied. Deck`s only dry fited.
To show You better the scale of the project i pictured it with the packet of ciggies.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5...3001he2.th.jpg

TBC...

I didnt like the area around the hatch in the wooden deck. It looks to basic.
I used the part of the PE deck to replace it.
First i cut out all the slats leaving some of the wood for strength.
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5...5002ds2.th.jpg

The area where the PE covers the wood was sanded down 0,5mm.
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6...5003wr2.th.jpg

In place.
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3...0041sh7.th.jpg

TBC...

Deck mangling continues. :D

The stern marker buoy hatch.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1...h001lc7.th.jpg
Opening is not directly abowe the resin ring. I will sand it down and scratchbuild one.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8...h002lx4.th.jpg
Backing plate for the hatch lid. Ive added the brass backing plate for strength.

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7...h007re1.th.jpghttp://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5...h008zx3.th.jpghttp://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4...h009co6.th.jpghttp://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7...h010nq3.th.jpg
Part of the underdeck steel beams.

The lid was taken from revell deck. Cut out and cleaned ready for the Eduard PE set.
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6...h013qq1.th.jpghttp://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5...h011gr8.th.jpghttp://img524.imageshack.us/img524/8...h012xz5.th.jpg

TBC...

Siara, very nice project!:up:

b.t.w. Widze ze mamy kolejnego zdolnego polaka na forum, który jeszcze nie zawita³ do polskiej czê¶ci subsimu.:)

Thank You Polak.
BTW: Zawital, zawital, ale ze nie mam nic ciekawego do powiedzenia to i sie nie odzywalem, bo i po co. ;). Czytam- a jakze.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7...h003jp7.th.jpg

:yep:

TBC...

Looking good :up:

:yep:Look good, mate

you made a lot of progess , it really start to show off some nice results :up:

HunterICX

nothing to say except that you"re a craizy modeler who make a beautifull work :)

:rock: :rock: :rock:

Thank You guys! :up:

I done some more deck work. Comparing the 3 decks i have now im trying to build one - that has all the best features out of all of them. Its a lot of work, and the wooden deck is so delicate i need to be extra carefull where i plant my hobby knife next. It can snap at any moment- but im enjoying it, as it brings the new challenge in my so far standard modelers life. This is the first time im adding so much extras, and im glad You like it. :rock:

Take the perfectly good wooden deck:
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2...p001zy0.th.jpg

...and perfectly good Modelbrass deck:
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/4...p004ya9.th.jpg

Mix it all up, cut and scribble:
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2...p006za5.th.jpg

Join it:
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8...p007ho8.th.jpg

Transformation complete:
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/427...p008tl5.th.jpghttp://img84.imageshack.us/img84/192...p009vb9.th.jpghttp://img20.imageshack.us/img20/897...p010ot0.th.jpg

Rest of the detail in this area will be from Eduard PE set.

TBC...

More hatches on the stern section.
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7...s001op9.th.jpghttp://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7...s003jf6.th.jpg

Because theyre just single hatches, and probably constant opening and closing aswell as threading on them made them stand out from flat surface of the deck i decided on fixing them to the top of the deck.
First i needed to sand them domn a bit. Modelbrass deck is quiet thick.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9...s005gp5.th.jpg
On top is the sanded hatch.

The forward hatch needed the cuts because the slats didnt line up.
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7...s009ta2.th.jpg

The other hatch lined up perfectly, and no woodwork was required.
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/3...s010cd8.th.jpg

And the stern section as for today:
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9...s013jh6.th.jpg


:up:

TBC...

Hi Siara

Outstanding WIP!!! Keep up the great work!! :D

Cheers!
loco ss
http://blog.castlebrimstone.com/

Welcome to subsim Loco SS.
Thanks again for positive comment. :up:

Today the bow section of brass- wood- plastic mixing.

Delicate detail taken from Medelbrass deck, sanded so thin i lost my fingertips.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/105...3001vi3.th.jpg

One of 8 hatches in place.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/280...3003su8.th.jpg

And the rest of the resqued brass parts to be cleaned, sanded, and added to the wood deck:
http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/4...3004bj9.th.jpg

TBC...

Edit: I just been to Your new site Loco, and i can see You started the U-boat project! Hope You going to WIP it here on subsim.
If Your boat is half as good as Your figures- it should be special. ;-)