My First Sub Trumpeters 1/144 Seawolf

Looks great!  My only observation concerns the topside markings aft of the sail.  Those hatch markings are only carried during sea trials prior to commissioning. Once commissioned, they are painted out.

Bill Morrison

Big Jake wrote:

I didn't know that, I wonder why they don't mark the hatches?

Do you reckon that's so the mermaids can't get in??  Nice work, Joe!  Looks great from here!

warshipguy wrote:

Looks great!  My only observation concerns the topside markings aft of the sail.  Those hatch markings are only carried during sea trials prior to commissioning. Once commissioned, they are painted out. Bill Morrison

While talking markings, the hull number and draft mark decals appear to be somewhat silvered.  This is a problem with applying decals over flat finishes.   You may want to consider applying a patch of gloss (Future, clear gloss) to the decal locations,  apply the decal, then seal with a coat of clear flat to seal & give the same overall luster.

EdGrune wrote:

warshipguy wrote: Looks great!  My only observation concerns the topside markings aft of the sail.  Those hatch markings are only carried during sea trials prior to commissioning. Once commissioned, they are painted out. Bill Morrison While talking markings, the hull number and draft mark decals appear to be somewhat silvered.  This is a problem with applying decals over flat finishes.   You may want to consider applying a patch of gloss (Future, clear gloss) to the decal locations,  apply the decal, then seal with a coat of clear flat to seal & give the same overall luster.

Bill, yes they are silvered and I did spray future, but it wasnt enough. And that also explains the problems I had with the wash. I guess I was just to overly careful with my future.

Joe

Hull numbers are hung as signboards from the top of the sail when in port. They are not permanently painted directly to the sail. As for the hatch markings, both EB and Newport News (the only builders of nuclear submarines in the U.S.) require them as safety markings for their workers during trials. I believe that they are for rescue by DSRV should the boat go down during trials, but I am not 100% positive about that. I am a plankowner on three submarines (USS Michigan SSBN-727, USS Pasadena SSN752, and USS Maine SSBN 741); none of them retained these markings after sea trials.  They are painted out prior to the commissioning ceremony. 

These comments in no way are intended to detract from your model.  It still looks great!

Bill Morrison

Thanks for the info. As I said this was my first sub and as like all my models its OOB. Info like that can not neccessarily be obtained by just looking a pictures on the net. I will trying to keep it in mind if I should build another one.

Joe

Joe,

You should try another one; you did a terrific job!  The markings issue is a common one that I see on over 95% of all nuclear submarine models. Another issue are the vertical stabilizers that I see on most aft diving planes on models of 688 (Los Angeles) class submarines. The real submarines of that class don't have them.

Keep up the good work!

Bill Morrison

warshipguy wrote:

Joe, You should try another one; you did a terrific job!  The markings issue is a common one that I see on over 95% of all nuclear submarine models. Another issue are the vertical stabilizers that I see on most aft diving planes on models of 688 (Los Angeles) class submarines. The real submarines of that class don't have them. Keep up the good work! Bill Morrison

Sorry, Bill, but the later flights of 688s do have those stabilizers. I just left the Boise in the drydock this morning and she has them just as pretty as you please. They also have the shrouds surrounding the props. She was missing her sonar dome, though.

Subfixer, 

And yet, the USS Pasadena (SSN752), the second boat of the third and last flight of 688, did not have them, at least when I commissioned her and served onboard her beginning in 1986.  If the later boats of that flight do have them, I am happy to learn it. Indeed, if they have been added to the Pasadena, I would be glad to learn it! It just shows the importance of solid research.

Unfortunately, every model kit of every 688 class boat has this feature when, apparently, only the later boats of the third flight should have them.  I remember showing one to my CO on the Pasadena when kits of 688's began to be released . . . he was aghast about the sternplanes having stabilizers on them.  I can't count the 688 models I have seen with the vertical stabilizers on the sternplanes, even first and second flight boats.  On a seperate note, the Ohio class SSBNs, should have them.

I'm glad you mentioned the propellor shrouds . . . that is a feature that has apparently been added since I retired in 1996. I retired off of the USS Maine (SSBN 741 Blue); she did not have a propellor shroud. It wouldn't surprise me if she had one now. 

This brings to mind one other common error when painting U.S. nuclear boats . . . many builders paint the bow section of the hull below the water line a silvery color.  This should not be!  Red paint should continue around the bow.

Bill Morrison

And now the hulls aren't even being painted red on the bottoms, just black. There are sections of what could be called a gunship gray around the torpedo tubes, sonar dome, and aft areas. If you see one in drydock right after painting you might very well be surprised at how sinister they look in that semi-monotone paint scheme. I wish I could take some pictures of them.

I don't think the older boats have been retrofitted with propellor shrouds or vertical stabilizers. But on that I can very well be mistaken. Ship alts happen all the time.

One thing I have noticed being in Groton . . . the camoflage pattern found on the masts and antennaes when I was in has changed to a silvery-black monotone. I prefer the old pattern.

Bill Morrison