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Revell Gato Submarine Build With Pics

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  • Member since
    August 2009
Revell Gato Submarine Build With Pics
Posted by E Boat on Saturday, August 29, 2009 10:18 PM

Thought I would share some of the build particulars for the Revell 1:72 Gato Class Submarine build.

 

Assembled the bow sub-assembly and the stern sub-assembly today.

Mating of the components on the bow was very trouble free, and with some dry builds, and some filing/scraping, got the halves nice and tight, then I wicked in Tamiya Extra Thin. Bonded just great. The component that is inserted into the halves that joins the bow holes passage was set into the assembly without adhesive. I then used a cheapo brush and wicked in some gel CA as I could easily reach inside. Made assembly worry free, and let me concentrate on getting the halves perfectly aligned.

 

Stern halves went together clean and aligned, but the vertical and horizontal rudder setup took no less than 10 drybuilds to get the gaps right. There is a "topcap" of sorts that clamshells the horizontal rear diveplanes, and getting all the gaps eliminated before gluing will take a little time, but since filing/sanding access is so tight after assembly, getting it right the first time is nice! 

I put quite a bit of effort getting the parts to mate, and have erased 95% of the seams without any filler, just a fine file. So far, I am very happy with the kit, very precise molding.

I also flatblocked the rudder and rear diveplanes to erase any low spots from cooling in the mold, the low spots were virtually nonexistent, but some 400 grit on a block got the surfaces perfect in just a few swipes.

I will get some pics up soon-   

 

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Sunday, August 30, 2009 12:58 PM
Thanks for the post. Please, keep us updated with your progress.

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Central CA
Posted by Division 6 on Sunday, August 30, 2009 8:16 PM

Making some decent headway.

Where's those pictures.Laugh [(-D]

 

Eric... 

  • Member since
    August 2009
Posted by E Boat on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 7:51 PM

This is a stern assembly shot. Getting the gaps right all around the rudder/planes took some work. In retrospect, I would have assembled the rudder and cap that retains the dive planes, got the gaps gooped and sanded, then would have split the plane shaft, and glued them in separately.

 I had to use the old .006 feeler guage trick to smear the putty, and then taped 400 grit to the feeler guage to get the seam erased.

I used Squadron putty, but it dries too fast (yep, too fast!). I am going to use automotive stuff like I used to.

More shots of the offending part!

The guards are precision molded, I tell ya! I assembled the prop guards with just the middle lower brace, the secured the adjacent 2 per side. I merely wicked in some Tamiya Extra Thin, and she glued up as strong as can be. No fancy tooling to get nice even guards, a real pleasure for assembly.

I am at the hull right now, so pics inbound. My explanations probably suck, so ask away.

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