Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum
Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: Bigkev on January 22, 2017, 06:07:00 PM
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Hi All,
Well I've taken a turn to the 'Dark Side' in having a go at building this Revell VIIc U-Boat in 1/350th.
The kit is quite simple, but is very well detailed in respects of the hull and deck areas. However, due to moulding limitations the railings on the deck and around the gun emplacement on the 'sail' are a trifle heavy. whether I attempt to replace these later in the build I'll have to see. My main aim is to put a toe into the water with a ship/submarine of this scale without etched brass, construct it, paint it, to gain confidence in this genre'.
I do have another kit with a small amount of etch as my next ship project, if all goes well with this one.
I have made a start on the hull, the deck is not glued in place yet. I still need to fill in a few small sprue attachment areas that need attention (with Green Stuff).
Some pictures follow of the kit contents and work done so far.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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I've done this one too Big Kev.... not a bad kit for it's size.
Looking Good so far!
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At last you have "turned to the dark side" ---WELCOME
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I've got loads of generic stuff that would replace that around the sail. You don't have to fit it......... but it would be a shame not to.
Haddock.
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Every little bit helps...
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I have also build this if you all remember, as I was bitten by "the dark side". At least I realised my errors and came back to reality!!
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Hi Guys,
Thankyou for all your comments, sorry not replied sooner, but issues at work have kept me away from the bench.
Like all of your builds, and words of encouragement and they will spur me on with this toe in the water.
As for railings for the 'sail' Haddock, I would be grateful for any advice or generic stuff I could get from you. I'll be in touch directly in the next few days.
For me, I will be attaching the deck and tidying up any seams.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Great to see some modelling going on, I seem to be struggling at the moment.
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Now I've looked carefully, but I can't see where the wings fit on???
Roger
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Hi Roger,
Well I've fitted the diving planes now, do they count as wings??
Some pictures will follow soon.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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I like the look of this so far Kev. I have the cut away Mk XXI some where and your model has got me curious to find it and at least have a peak in the box.
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Hi All,
Well I'm back to the bench now, on holiday this week to look after the wife after her operation, and in between 'domestic duties' I have had a little time to do some more on this project.
The kit had a few very minor seams to address and these were dealt with Mr. Surfacer 500, allowed to dry then the excess removed with a cotton bud soaked in Mr. Color Thinner.
The rudder, prop shafts and control gear assembled without drama. The 'Sail' assembled and the kit railings used, (Sorry, Haddock I will be using etch on my next boat). I found it easier to thin the deck railings before attaching to deck, but the sail railings were gently thinned down with a tip of a scalpel blade once in situ and dry. I had a small problem in the fact I was too over enthusiastic and broke a bit of railing off. This was replaced by brown sprue to match.
The sail has been mounted on some balsa strip for painting, as have the deck guns, periscopes. The propeller screws are on some cocktail sticks temporarily stuck on with 'Humbrol 'Maskol' a tip from Haddock a few years back. ( I was listening!)
As to the hull assembly this has had an additional hole drilled into the keel and mounted ready for painting too.
Once painted I'll bring everything together before rigging is added.
Attached some pictures below,
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Allready looking better than my effort! Nice one.
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Very impressive. A lot of BigKev/Haddock tips here that will help my next attempt. I remember almost losing that conning tower (I believe the term 'Sail' should only apply to Nuc-era boats) to the carpet monster!! Looking forward to the foaming seas and depth charge explosions...
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Hi Pen-Pusher,
Thanks for your comments and the correction re-'sail'.
it shall be the conning tower from now on.
See, I've learnt something new again.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Hi Pen-Pusher,
Thanks for your comments and the correction re-'sail'.
it shall be the conning tower from now on.
See, I've learnt something new again.
Cheers,
Bigkev
Conning along nicely then. Sorry couldn't resist.
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Hi All,
Model has now been primed in Vallejo Acrylic Primer. Then the first actual colours applied.
To the sides of the hull/conning tower, I have applied a mix of Tamiya Light Grey XF-66 and White XF-2, about ratio of 3 to 1 plus thinners. Once dry I applied a random spray of a darker grey mix about ratio of 2 to 1 plus thinners along the hull sides and conning tower. This is probably a little too stark at this stage and will overspray the hull with a thinned mix of something in between to soften the effect.
What I wanted was to break the monotone grey colour, in readiness for later weathering and washes.
Once done the rest of the hull will be painted in Tamiya German Grey XF-63, but the density of the paint varied along the hull sides, again to break up the monotone colour.
A couple of pictures follow:-,
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Ooooops!
Some tidying up work to be done on those railings on the conning tower. You don't actually see some flaws until you post a picture of it. It shall be addressed tomorrow.
Bigkev
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Hi All,
Well a little more progress with this project. I have masked off the lower hull in readiness for painting. Using fine strips of Tamiya tape along the waterline first, then deeper strips until all above waterline masked.
Then I sprayed a light coat of the light grey along the masking tape edge. This is to help prevent, any bleeding of paint showing. Then I used a nail manicure stick and ran it along the tape edge before applying Tamiya German Grey. This was applied thinly at first, then a couple of drops of Black added to the paint cup. The main weld lines and areas in shadow were touched in in this mix creating a different tonal effect. I cleaned out the airbrush and then using the German Grey again, misted on a very thin coat to blend the two together.
Once dry I removed the masking and revealed the full hull with a varied effect in preparation to weathering later on in the build.
There were a couple of small areas requiring touching along the hull especially at the top of the ballast tank, these will be dealt with a fine brush before weathering begins. I now need to decide on the colour of the deck. Some sources say it was like a linoleum pale brown in colour others a dark painted metallic finish. As this will be finished as U-81 in 1941 I reckon the former might be right. Any suggestions from you guys?
Some pictures of the paint job follow
Cheers,
Bigkev
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According to Edward Rossler's 'U-Boat' technical description, U-81 had a slatted wood centre section deck aft of the tower except around the gun mount. The forward section had been replaced with steel corrugated sections with wood inlays. I guess the wood would be stained and look darker when wet.
Photos U-81 (Not much help I'm afraid)
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Looking good and thanks for the "how to" photos. They help lesser beings like myself.
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Hi Kiteman,
Thankyou for your comments. This is a learning curve for me, so my observations are only what I see or do.
I have no expertise in any sense...............ask my wife!
Bigkev
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Steady Kevin, moderating may occur.
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Hi All,
Well I'm back on with this one at last!
I have decided to paint the upper deck in RLM74, an aircraft colour but one to my eye blends nicely with a sea colour. This colour will be toned down with oils and washes, so will not be as vivid as it first seems.
In order to get a nice demarcation line, I have used thin Tamiya tape along the deck edge and the conning tower with additional wider tape, and then paper masks edged with Tamiya tape to prevent overspray.
I know that there will be some touching up here and there, as I am used to 'bigger' aeroplanes that are easier to mask, so here goes........
Next instalment will hopefully see the colour on.
A few pictures follow of the masking in place
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Keep diving!
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Nicely..
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Hi All,
Well after me holidays, I'm back to the bench again.
Just like to show you where I am now on this project.
The masking has been removed and I am happy with the colour, though this will be weathered and washed as you will see. Firstly after all the masking had been removed, there were a couple of areas that needed touching up and this was done with some thinned grey paint and a fine brush.
Once dry, I then gave the whole Hull and Conning tower a couple of coats of Johnson's 'Kleer' to seal the paint finish. I was left with a nice glossy finish ready for the Oil Washes and weathering to follow.
I left it a day to harden, then I applied a Brush wetted with Turpentine to the deck areas to aid the wash. The wash was a mix of Burnt Umber Oil paint and Turpentine. I had laid the Burnt Umber Oil paint onto some scrap cardboard for an hour or so to allow the excess Oil in the paint to soak into the card before I made the mix and went any further. I gently coated the entire deck area with the mix ensuring that the wash went into all the crevices and detail mould into the deck. The previously 'wetted' surface made the wash mix flow into them more readily. I then put the model aside to dry for a few hours, so that I can then remove the excess. That will be in the next post, but until then a few pictures of the above follow.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Very interesting that Kevin. Next time we meet, I'll be picking your brains.
Haddock.
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Thank you very much for the lesson, I look forward to seeing the next stage...this is great stuff, Keep it coming!!!
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Thankyou Gentlemen,
I glad you like it so far. Haddock more than happy for my Brain cell to be picked, though what I can tell you about ships, is beyond me.
Hopefully the reveal of the washing will inspire you to give it a go.
Cheers,
Kevin
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Hi All,
Well I've now removed the excess wash off the deck area and the recessed detail is highlighted by wash left in it. I used a wetted brush with Turpentine initially, then used some lint free cloth and some dry cotton buds to remove the excess. The cloth and buds cannot get into the crevices so leaves the wash in place but reveals the deck colour.
It is subtle, and at moment a little glossy due to the 'Kleer', but will be toned down a bit later.
I also have now applied a Payne's Grey wash to the sides of the hull, taking time to ensure the vents on the hull sides were filled with wash. I chose Payne's Grey as opposed to black as I though black a little too stark in this scale. Again once dried after a few hours the excess will be removed.
The conning tower received a thin application of the wash to highlight the detail, hand holds, etc. moulded into the plastic. It too is a little heavy at moment and will be toned down once dry.
A few pictures of the above.........
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Looking good. I agree on the Payne's Grey, a most useful colour!
R
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Hi All,
I have now removed the initial wash of Payne's Grey from the hull sides using cotton buds, one moistened in Turpentine, the other end used dry to remove excess. The vents now are clearly apparent but I noticed some were less defined than others so I used a very fine 10/0 Brush and in-filled them again with Payne's Grey to make them a little more stark. I also ran some grey into the hatch openings on the deck to further highlight them. Once dry a lint free cloth was rubbed over the Hull and deck to remove excess, this time the wash was more noticeable in the vents, hinges etc.
The conning tower was also given a wipe over to remove excess wash. Once the whole thing had been allowed to 'air dry' for a few hours. I looked at the model I thought the hull sides above waterline too light. To tone this down I airbrushed Tamiya Smoke randomly along the hull sides and then a very gentle overall thin coat. At this stage it still is glossy in appearance but will be addressed at the end of the build.
Some pictures of the above:-
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Perhaps it should be glossy, it might be wet. It is a boat after all!
R
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Hi Roger,
That sounds like common sense, however...............................
I think that to get the best scale effect, then a satin, or just off-matt finish will look best. Unifying all the elements to create the desired look.
But your reasoning is sound, though one I'm not going to follow on this occasion.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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It looks authentic enough for me......thanks for the build explanations.
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Hi All,
Well it's nearly finished now.
I have used Oil Paints to add various streaks, rust patches along the Hull and Conning Tower. I use Oil paints as you can add a dot of paint with a very fine brush, then take a 'dry' brush and drag it in the direction of the streak you want to show.
if its too light then do it again, if its too heavy its easy to remove it with a brush moistened with turpentine. Just allow the area to dry properly and you can have another go.
Then the only decal applicable to this model was installed on the front of the conning tower.
The aerial wires are EZ line (courtesy of Mr. Haddock) and it is great stuff to work with just a little practice needed. Super glue applied in minute dots secured the end of the line, which stretches about 7 times its original length! Small isolators were added from fine PVA blobs which were then touched in with Vallejo White paint.
I then added the flag from transfers in the kit, the 'Swastikas' in the centre cross of flag being suggested by painting fine black lines in the manner of the Swastika shape. The kit moulded D/F loop was removed at the beginning of the build, this was now re-instated from fine wire wrapped around a cocktail stick and glued into place. It was later painted in dark metallic colour.
So there you have it, still not quite finished, only a quick coat of Satin Varnish to spray on, perhaps tomorrow night.
Some pictures of the above follow:-
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Excellent work Kevin - all it needs is some sea.
Now you are a fully paid up member of the dark side -- what is next ????
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As always.... stunning!
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Nice work, hope you've got the bug.
Haddock.
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See, ships are too easy for a man of your talents. Nice work though.
Now you have a target, how about a Beaufighter or Mosquito next?!
Roger
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Thankyou Guys,
For all the words of encouragement. This build though a little protracted has been a very enjoyable and rewarding build. I've learnt a lot, though still a lot still to learn.
The model is now finished with a light coat of Vallejo Matt and Satin Varnish mix, (about 2 matt to 1 satin).
It gave me the desired finish I had in mind.
My next build(s) will be an Mirage U-176 Type.IX (Sturm II) 1/350, plus a Micro Mir Soviet WWII Submarine 1/350
The later kindly sent to me by Pen-Pusher to build as my confidence grew.
Both kits have some etched-brass parts, and these are the next logical step in my ship modelling foray.
Please find some photo's of this model in its final finished state.
Cheers,
Bigkev
PS. I'm sorry Roger, couldn't find any kits of Beaufighter's or Mosquitoe's in 1/350 Scale
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Very impressive Bigkev, it's great when you can turn your hand to any model in any scale, hopefully I will get there sooner or later.
Bridlufc
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No problem, which do you want - 1/350 Beaufighter or Mosquito?
R
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Hi Roger,
Don't tell me you've found these in 1/350th scale, Ulp!
Bigkev
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Looks ship shape and Bristol to me. Well done that man and again thanks for a very good build description. We all learn from each other.
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Thankyou Kiteman,
Kind words indeed.
Bigkev
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Excellent! I shall be referencing this post when I get started on my "underwater thing" - particularly the painting! I saw Micro Mir had quite a few subs out so will ponder one for a future buy I think. A change is as good as a rest eh?
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Hi All,
Just like to say thanks to all the fellow modellers at the club meeting who, gave me words of encouragement on this project.
It seems they liked it and has given me additional impetus to build the Mirage Type IXC (TurmII) 1/350th, elsewhere on the forum here.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Just do it!!.....and enjoy!