USS Batfish SS-310 in 1/700

Yeah, I think I'll go the wash route as well. As you can see from the pic, that's a good half-hours work, and two broken drill bits:

mfsob

Very nicely done.

I'm currently tackling the ancient Tamiya/Skywave 1/700 Gato, and wonder how you did your limber holes along the hull - a black wash, something like that, or did you drill them out? I started drilling some out but ... breaking No. 78 bits gets real expensive, real fast. 

All the limber holes are thanks to just a wash of the AK Interactive's WASH for NATO Vehicles.  The PE prop guard was about the end of the line for this kit, that was probably the most trying part of all the PE.  I dont think I could have handled attempting to drill out all those holes, I think I'da gone mad. 

Very nicely done.

I'm currently tackling the ancient Tamiya/Skywave 1/700 Gato, and wonder how you did your limber holes along the hull - a black wash, something like that, or did you drill them out? I started drilling some out but ... breaking No. 78 bits gets real expensive, real fast.

Very nicely done on the tower.  Your SJ antenna came out way better than mine in 1/350.

Thanks for the kind words.  I would say never again but…. I bought a pair of these when they were $5 through Squadron.  The next will be completed as the USS Razorback as she is displayed in Little Rock Arkansas. 

The painting for this was simple, I used AK Interactive paints from the USN Camouflages and USN PT Boats sets.  The hull was airbrushed in Haze Gray, then masked and applied the Dull Black.  I couldn’t get the tape to stick properly so I set the airbrush aside and hand painted the deck Deck Blue.  After the paint I applied the Ammo of Mig Grey Filter, clear coated and applied AK’s NATO WASH.  When I was happy with the hull I affixed it to the base then attached all the railings.  I followed the same steps with the conning tower and then cemented it to the hull.  I included an image of the conning tower to show off some of the PE that doesn’t “pop” in the finished pictures.

I think I have enough confidence to break out my 1/700 C/USS Texas’, my various amphibs and begin those builds.

Nice work!

I can't imagine 1/700! I'm all thumbs with 1/350. Hope you can put up more pics - something with a dime in it to compare size. And what paints/processes did you use?

Nice work.  I saw the pictures of her in the Squadron book on Gato's and kin.  After the fight I've had with the PE on the 1/350 Gato I'm doing as Wahoo-SS238, I have to say you have the patience of Job....