SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

1/350 USS Croaker (SS-246)

1470 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by hobbes on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 3:58 PM

I've got some build photos today.  What I have done so far is assemble the internal support/bulkheads, fill the mounting holes for the deck gun, join the hull halves and begin masking for painting the lower hull and deck.

 

These are the parts that comprise the inner support for the hull as well as the lower hull with the hole drilled for the stand.  At least I am thinking this is for strengthening the hull as none of this will be seen when the model is completed.

Here is the inner support mostly assembled, only one part remaining to attach, which I waited to do until the support was installed in the lower hull.

Inner support installed and taped down while glue sets.

The upper hull with masking and unused positioning holes filled in with putty.  The lower hull and decks will be painted flat black while the upper hull and conning tower will be dark grey.

The hull halves joined.

After I remove the tape used to hold the hull halves together while the glue sets, I need to finish masking the upper hull, finish the cleanup on the putty used to fill the holes, clean up the joints being careful of raised details on the lower hull and begin assembly of the prop shafts.  Then it will be off to paint the black areas including the rear control surfaces and conning tower deck. 

There is some PE parts on the rear that are also black, but I will wait to install and paint them (by hand) until after I have finished the dark grey spray.

Also, some of the PE requires bending, which is something I have no experience with.  Nor do I have tools like an etch mate to use.  Any tips on getting the bends right for ladders, the rear structure (don't know the technical name) and railings would be appreciated.

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by hobbes on Monday, November 14, 2011 12:22 PM

The kit I have is the 1943 configuration of the class, which has the stepped sail in the front.  The only real difference that I can see from the photos I have found is that the boat I am building has its deck gun behind the sail where the kit has it in front.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Carmel, CA
Posted by bondoman on Monday, November 14, 2011 11:49 AM

It looks like the kit has the earlier sail design with the vertical leading edge. Croaker when launched looks like she had the later design with the step. I'm sure you could find a replacement sail though.

  • Member since
    September 2011
1/350 USS Croaker (SS-246)
Posted by hobbes on Monday, November 14, 2011 11:35 AM

I recently purchased AFV Club's 1/350 USN Gato Class, 1943 kit and plan to build it up as the USS Croaker (SS-246).  I am recently returned to the hobby after a 7 year break while I was in college, due to lack of space and frequent moving.  This kit will have a number of firsts for me.  These firsts include PE, modifying parts and scratch building.

My plans for this build are to

  1. Use all the PE options to become more comfortable with using PE.
  2. Move the deck gun from in front of the conning tower to the rear of the conning tower, since every reference of the Croaker during WWII show the deck gun behind the tower.
  3. Scratch build a custom name plate to replace the generic one that came with the kit.

Here is a photo of the boat during WWII

 

I also have pictures of the parts.  The three main sprues came in one bag, while the PE, decals and a small black part came in another.  The hull halves were not bagged.

Box Art

Hull Pieces

Sprue A

Sprue B

Sprue C

Decals and PE

Also, any tips concerning the build would be appreciated

 

Edit: Got the photos working.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.