Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum
Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: Bigkev on February 14, 2021, 11:17:22 AM
-
Hi All,
This is project that I though I would have a go at, as it involves a diorama of both a submarine and an aircraft set on a seascape, something some of you have been suggesting that I try.
For this build I will be using the Revell Type VIIc Submarine and a resin L'Arsenal Short Sunderland.
This submarine was lost as a result of an encounter with a Sunderland of 422 Squadron on 10 March 1944, in which the Sunderland attacked the enemy with depth charges.
The submarine did not sink straight away and in fact remained afloat for some two and a half hours after the attack. The crew of the submarine actually congratulated the aircraft for the accuracy of its attack as it began to take on water and settle in the sea.
I will try to depict the scene as the submarine settle by the stern, with crew taking to life rafts and some wearing life belts, whilst others gather on the deck and conning tower.
Sadly, though many did make into the rafts and escape the slowly sinking vessel, not one survived to be rescued and succumbed to the cold of the sea, or drowned.
Some pictures of the basic work undertaken so far.
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
This is looking good Kevin.
-
Great idea Kevin -- will follow with interest
-
I just love a diorama, will follow with interest.
-
This should be good!
-
I admire your ambition Kev, it's a daunting concept. We'll all learn from watching this one progress and I'm sure it'll turn out well.
-
I agree with all the above, Its going to be a cracking build.
Sad ending for the crew though.
-
Hi Chaps,
Thanks for your comments, I hope I can deliver something worthy of the support.
Cheers,
Kevin
-
Hi All,
Just finishing off the Type IXB, but have managed to drill out the hatches of the VIIc.
I have added some tubing to the interior to give depth when viewed.
I have also assembled the conning tower and pre-drilled the mounting points for the etched railings around the gun deck. I now know why Haddock hates stanchion mounted brass railings......
Also have looked at the crew, and have some Tamiya 1/350 figures which will make up the personnel on the diorama.
These are almost 2D in nature, so I will be be beefing them up with a coat of PVA before using them on the diorama.
Some pictures follow,
Cheers,
Kevin
-
Very small figures indeed. Coming along nicely.
-
Hi Chris,
Thanks.
Small indeed, I am definitely going to need that head magnifier..!
This is the next 'Sub' on the build list....
Cheers,
Kevin
-
Can't wait to see it at sea.
-
I'm expecting you to paint the eyes on them figures Kevin.
;D
-
I'm expecting you to paint the eyes on them figures Kevin.
;D
Get Howard to paint'em.
-
Wow! This is a great concept!
Really looking forward to it1
-
Wow! This is a great concept!
Really looking forward to it1
Hi H,
Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate them.
As to Andy, I will not be painting the individual eyeballs, even I have to draw the line at a sensible point.
I do now know the colours of the life vests, so some will be attired suitably.
If I need a eyeball painter in 1/350, can I count you in H ???
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Sometime when you are with a number of people and are bored,
just look at the faces and count how many pairs of eyeballs you can see. Usually only about half!
-
Wow! This is a great concept!
Really looking forward to it1
How hard can it be...
Hi H,
Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate them.
As to Andy, I will not be painting the individual eyeballs, even I have to draw the line at a sensible point.
I do now know the colours of the life vests, so some will be attired suitably.
If I need a eyeball painter in 1/350, can I count you in H ???
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Hi All,
Been back to the bench today.
This morning was too wet for my current 'outside' project. (New Decking at rear of house, and relaying paving slabs)
So, taking advantage of the poor weather, I managed to bend the conning tower railings and glue into place.
These attach by stanchions (Something Haddock hates!), so aid location I drilled small 0.3mm pilot holes in the gun deck, then stuck Tamiya tape underneath them to prevent pushing all the way through.
Then using a tapered rolling tool (supplied by Haddock) bent them into a half round shape then added them to the conning tower using minute drops of superglue.
Several attempts were needed but once done, I am happy with the result.
I also attached the diving planes to the bow section.
Some pictures follow:-
Bigkev
-
Well done sir.
-
Well done that man
-
Decking outside, it should be decking on the submarine, looking good.
-
Blimey - that's terrific work!
-
Thanks for your replies guys.
Now thinking of the sea base. I think Zak uses something called Mod Podge, what is it and where can I get it from?
Also, Sea.
Does the colour of sea change with the height of waves, are those in the dips darker than the peaks?
Also, what colour would best replicate leaking fuel oil? I thought it maybe a dark to mid brown.
So many questions on this journey.
cheers,
Bigkev
-
Google "rough seas", see what you get.
Haddock.
-
Thanks for your replies guys.
Now thinking of the sea base. I think Zak uses something called Mod Podge, what is it and where can I get it from?
Also, Sea.
Does the colour of sea change with the height of waves, are those in the dips darker than the peaks?
Also, what colour would best replicate leaking fuel oil? I though maybe a dark to mid brown.
So many questions on this journey.
cheers,
Bigkev
E bay, I have just bought some, The Range was out of stock.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mod-Podge-Glue-Decoupage-Gloss-Matte-Modge-Pod-Glitter-Photo-Sealer-Varnish/353414438600?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=622579368451&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
-
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the information.
Cheers Bigkev
-
They had some on amazon last time I looked, it’s looking good so far, I watched part of a programme on the yesterday channel that was about the German u boats that had clips of Sunderland flying boats, wildcats and Hudson’s trying to protect the Atlantic convoys, quite interesting.
-
Well done sir.
How you Guys do that Brass work to such a standard amazes me! Absolutely fantastic!
-
Well done sir.
How you Guys do that Brass work to such a standard amazes me! Absolutely fantastic!
Hi Howard,
More by luck than skill in my case.
But I do appreciate your comments.
Bigkev
-
Well done sir.
How you Guys do that Brass work to such a standard amazes me! Absolutely fantastic!
Hi Howard,
More by luck than skill in my case.
But I do appreciate your comments.
You got to show it who's boss!!
Bigkev
-
Hi All,
Apologies for not posting.
The 'Boss' has had me doing some external Patio work the last few weeks , so no modelling done in earnest.
However I have managed to add all the etch brass to the conning tower, handrails, ladders, etc.
also filled all the deck rail attachment points with Deluxe Plastic Putty, which cleans up with water really easily.
I have also cut an 'outline' for the hull, when it will be seated in water.
Thanks guys,
Bigkev
Some pictures follow:-
-
Nice brass work that man
-
Brasswork definitely looks good Kevin.
-
Hi All,
Been allowed back to the bench after the 'real modelling' outside (Patio decking).
Made a little more progress. Have now started to apply paint to the submarine decks, but my main thrust has been the base.
I have used Deluxe materials 'Making Waves' for the seascape. I am a bit of a novice on seascapes, so I was not sure how defined the 'sea' should be, so I have gone on the light side.
Firstly, I painted the baseboard, which was cut from foamboard. I used a medium mix of sea grey, with a few stripes of dark green.
Then I placed a Balsa shape of the profile of the visible waterline of the cut submarine, on the base in the appropriate place.
I applied the 'Making Waves' medium in stripes across the base in line with the previously painted 'stripes' making some heavier than others.
Once dry, I applied an addition coat again concentrating on the waves. Whilst the waves were slightly tacky I stippled a brush around the area where the hull was settling in the water, using the reference photo as a guide.
My model reflects the sinking action, but probably some minutes before the photo shows, the hull being higher in the water than the picture.
Once dry, I added some further paint, using Vallejo Extra Dark Sea Grey/ Grey Green and some blue in varied ratios.
Once this had dried I wanted to portray the fuel oil, leaking from the stricken vessel. This was done by lightly misting Earth Brown, and the Red Brown to the rear of the vessel.
Finally I airbrushed a pale grey mix over the stippled waves in random patches. This then had a pure white drybrushed over the area, the white picking out the crests of the bubbling water around the hull.
Some pictures follow:-
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Great work on the diorama,
-
Looks really good Kevin. The bubbling looks authentic.
-
Thanks for taking us through the painting prosses Kevin.
Looking great.
-
Looks really good!
This will be great when finished.
-
Hi All,
Thanks for the comments.
Will try and push on with this one, and get this one finished soon.
Bigkev
-
Hi All,
A little nearer completion.
I have now painted the hull, conning tower, and added some dark wash to both to pick out the details.
The base has had a further coat of 'De-Luxe Making Water' along the wave crests.
The base has now had two further coats of 'Kleer' to seal the base, with some dry brushing of Titanium White Oil paint on the crests of the waves.
I now need to add wear and tear to the paint work, which I will do using Oil Paints as per my usual regime.
Next up will be figures, life rafts, debris.
Finally the Sunderland, making a low level pass over its victim.
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Looking good, not far to go now.
-
That's a wonderful bit of work Kev. As you know, I too (like Zak) love a good diorama - and I LOVE this one. It's great fun creating bits of history in miniature and I have to say, I often enjoy creative bit os the diorama more than the kit itself. the I'm just about to have my first go at water too so I'll be having more careful reads of your post.
-
Looking really good Kevin. It'll be nice to see the finished product.
-
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the comments.
Some more progress.
Well today I have added my Oil Filter/Wash to the hull and conning tower.
As can be seen I use 'dots' of Oil Paint of differing colours along the Hull and then using a dry brush draw downwards to create a streak.
If you are not happy with the effect you can either apply more, and re-dry brush, or remove the effect altogether with a turpentine wetted brush and start again.
I have also added the etch brass railings, and also the escape hatch coverings.
The escape hatch coverings were made by punching out two discs of plasticard of correct diameter, then making them concave by using a pointed tool(like the one in the photo, lent by Haddock), these then attached with Gorilla Glue.
All were painted after fitting to match the scheme.
The 'crew' have been 'fleshed and booted' in paint, now ready to recieve some clothes, and life vests.
Some pictures follow:-
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Some more pictures:-
Bigkev
-
Very impressive and right up my street. 8)
-
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your comment.
For this build the crew numbered 38, so I won't be using all the 'fleshed and booted'
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Looking great can’t wait to see the finished diorama.
Bob c
-
Really great, this will be a spectacular diorama.
How will you suspend the Sunderland above the sea?
Will there be any oil slick, like on all the old films?
-
I've really enjoyed catching up on this thread and seeing the fantastic work Kev.
-
Excellent detail Kevin. The figures will be amazing at tbat scale.
-
Hi All,
Thankyou for your comments, much appreciated.
Well todays rain put paid to anything outside, so it was time to get to the bench.
Today I have managed to paint all the crew I will using. Some of these will be in the life rafts, so will be surgically altered.
The conning tower now attached and the guns, and periscopes fitted. The periscopes are shown in a stowed condition, so were shortened to fit. A small attachment point for main aerial on the bow added.
I also created some life rafts from 0.5mm lead wire, rolled around the tip of a cocktail stick, cut and flattened, then added to the seascape. Whilst at it, I added some debris from plastic scraps and rod.
In answer to Zak's question about an oil slick, I misted a brown colour at the rear of the submarine to depict 'something' leaking into the sea, hopefully it can be seen in one of the pictures.
The life rafts were painted a pale buff colour, and the debris various browns, silver, black.
Next up the aerials and crew in position.
Some pictures follow. Sorry a couple are a bit dark.
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
The figures will test your patience.
I have been looking for some 1/700 for my sailing ships.
-
The flotsam looks great.
-
Absolutely stunning stuff Kevin
-
Hi Chaps,
Thankyou for your comments.
I have managed the aerials, but still to do the figures and the Sunderland, so hopefully in the next week, I should have done these.
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Looking good Kev. Perhaps some whiskers on the crew?
-
Hi All,
Now managed to fix the crew in position on the submarine and in the sea. figures attached using Gorilla Thin Glue, as this dries clear and is easy to use.
Some of the figures had to be surgically altered, losing lower limbs, or their arms moved to a different pose.
You will see that some of the crew have life vests, some not, and one poor chap has no shirt, only a life vest.
Submarine now needs a final coat of varnish to tie everything together, and in answer to Chris, the crew will have hair added, not sure about beards.
Some pictures follow:-
Thanks, Bigkev
-
Fantastic work, especially in this scale,
The makings of a great magazine article here.
-
Brill
-
Superb Kevein - even more so considering the small scale.
-
Fantastic work, as ever Kev. Well done.
-
The figures make this diorama. Superb paint work Kevin.
-
Hi All,
Nearly there.
The Sunderland has been painted and decaled, just needs some small paint touches and the spinning prop disc's adding, before a unifying coat of satin varnish.
The crew of the sub, still need to be given hair.
Some pictures follow.
Thanks,
Bigkev
-
The Sunderland looks really good.
-
It all looks good. The darker sea is better.
Haddock.
-
Excellent idea and well produced
-
Superb Kevin.
-
Hi all,
Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Hopefully my next post will be of the finished item.
Have completed the Sunderland, and given 'hair' to the sub crew.
Hopefully all will be together very soon.
Thank you for all your comments,
Cheers,
bigkev
-
Hi All,
Can declare this one as finished.
I made the spinning props from clear acetate ( old Christmas Card packaging) once cut to size, then trimmed, sanded, and then painted using Oil Paints as per the weathering technique.
Once fitted, seems to represent a prop in action.
The submarine has been finished, the crew given 'hair', then a final unifying varnish coat.
I am satisfied with the end result of a historical true event portrayed via models.
My next project will be somewhat larger in scale.
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
I really like your diorama, Great work.
Some thoughts, not criticism, as I know how hard it is to portray and aircraft in flight.
Would a Perspex/ clear rod look better?
I am not a fan of the large rod out of the bottom of an aircraft.
What about having a backscene and suspending the Sunderland from it with a wing tip?
Sorry. just an observation.
-
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the comments.
Yes, I agree that the rod is not ideal. I do have a thin piece of clear rod and I must confess it might be used instead.
I like the idea of a backdrop and affixing a wingtip.
Maybe the diorama is not quite finished yet.
Cheers
Bigkev
-
What about a three sided backdrop of sky, so you view the diorama from the front and the plave is attached by the wingtip to the backscene?
I am not sure how it will work, but maybe worth a thought,
I am sure with your skills you could paint the sky and clouds .
Failing that Gaugemaster do some backscenes of just sky in N and OO scale.
-
Magic Kevin. The props are good - food for thought for me for a later diorama.
-
Another gem Kev. Re the 'suporting the Sunderland' posts. If it's not going to Shows (are any of us?) then you could Photoshop the support out if you're just going to post photos?
-
Just to muddy the waters - have seen when they just used half the model plane and stuck it onto a mirror - looked great but was that just the angle the photo was taken at ?????
-
Another gem Kev. Re the 'suporting the Sunderland' posts. If it's not going to Shows (are any of us?) then you could Photoshop the support out if you're just going to post photos?
Hi Chris,
I thought about that. Is the photshop a free application you can download or do you have to buy it?
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Try loading the photo onto paint and edit out the offending part.
-
Hi, sadly not but there are free alternatives online as per Paint mentioned by Zak.
-
Stunning, Kev!
Both the idea and execution!
-
Hi,
Thanks for the comments and advice.
I'll deem this one finished for now, but may revisit it in due course to add a backdrop or another method of displaying the Sunderland.
Cheers,
Bigkev
-
Fantastic diorama Kev. Well executed and quite powerful, You could easily feel sorry for those figures in the water.
Well done.