![]() |
SUBSIM: The Web's #1 resource for all submarine & naval simulations since 1997 |
![]() |
#1 |
Master of Defense
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,502
Downloads: 125
Uploads: 0
|
![]()
Having watched with awe the amazing job Siara is doing with his 1/72 scale Type VIIC U-boat from Revell, I decided to build one of my own. Unfortunately, I can't afford the room needed for the big boat, so I'm going to build the more manageable 1/144 kit instead.
Here are the pieces as they come out of the box: ![]() I'm always impatient to get an idea of what my projects will look like when finished. Below you see the two hull halves clamped together. The deck is a prototype wooden, laser-cut item produced by Nautilus Models and gratiously provided to me by Siara. In the background you can see another of my unfinished projects, Heller's 1/100 scale HMS Victory. ![]() One of the first things I noticed is that the free-flood holes need to be opened up. The plastic is quite thin behind the holes, as this somewhat blurry photo taken with a strong backlight shows. ![]() Instead of drilling out the holes, I experimented with grinding out the holes from behind. Here's what it looks like: ![]() I'm quite happy with how my experiment turned out: ![]() You can also see in the above pic some of the surface detailing (rivets, weld lines) in the kit. It's well out-of-scale and I'm going to have to do something about it before I'm done. More to follow... Last edited by Bill Nichols; 04-20-08 at 03:40 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Pacific Aces Dev Team
|
![]()
The level of detail is very nice for a 1:144 model
![]() I have here around the old 1:125 U-99 waiting to be completed, and while the size is larger, it can't stand any details comparison...no rivets, weldings...anything, the U-99 is flat ![]()
__________________
One day I will return to sea ... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Grey Wolf
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Mitcham/London
Posts: 818
Downloads: 0
Uploads: 0
|
![]()
Im glad You started it Bill. It realy is as good as people are saying. The detail is almost identical with the 1-72 scale. Realy nice kit there...
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Master of Defense
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,502
Downloads: 125
Uploads: 0
|
![]()
Progress report: May 9, 2008
Continuing to cut and grind. All of the kit's molded-in limber holes and freefloods are now open. I've also moved the anchor well forward 1/8-inch. The kit's torpedo doors are too long, so I've scribed a new after edge. A little putty and everything will look a-ok! ![]() Here's what it looks like from the other side. The lower free floods were opened by careful (read tedious) sanding. ![]() Here's my attempt to open up the free floods at the stern. Things are tough when working in this scale and not having advantage of aftermarket photoetch! ![]() Here you can see that I'm going to have some repair work before I'm done. My fumble-fingers have cut away a bit too much, especially on the port side free floods. ![]() Having opened the 'slot' above the saddle tanks, it's necessary to extend the curve of the tank inward. I've also temporarily removed part of the fairwater for access. ![]() A closer view. I decided to use the kit's two 'bulkhead' pieces to ensure I keep the correct shape of the hull. I've had to do some cutting of these pieces, though, to minimize chance they can be seen through the now-open limber holes. ![]() A "Bird's-eye" view of the starboard saddle tank: ![]() To be continued... Last edited by Bill Nichols; 05-09-08 at 09:47 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|