(Longshot) Anyone make an underwater research base-type model kit?

You may want to look for a book called Martin Johnson's Amazing Maritime Models. There are a lot of underwater models. They are all somewhat whimsical, but his approach is interesting. One of his models is a sort of steam powered Victorian submarine. All the models are cutaway type with both above and below water details built into the case. Everything is scratch built, and Johnson's method of breaking things down into their basic shapes can be applied to more detailed models as well. I found a copy in the local library, and it worth checking out even if you don't plan on making the models he depicts.

dont know if this helps ya out at all im currently working on a large scale deepcore model from the abyss i have lots of source material and photos if you think they may help let me know im mor than happy to send then  deepcore has to be one of the coolest underwater fictionial habitats ever  but thats jusy my opinion :)

paul

I know next to nothing about this field.  I do remember that Revell used to make a plastic version of Jacques Cousteau's Calypso.  It wasn't a bad kit, and included small-scale models of some underwater exploration equipment, including one of Cousteau's "mini-subs."  I think the kit is out of production now, but it's probably not hard to find.  It seems to me that one of the European companies - maybe Billing - also made (or maybe still makes) a Calypso on a much larger scale.

Saiden-

Is that a model kit you have, and if so, where did you get it, or is it something else?

 

The Calypso model is currently on ebay, going for 71$....a tad more than I wanted to spend for an old revell kit. But thanks for the heads up.

no donut its a scratch build im working on they never made any kits from the abyss sadly  sooo many good topics my next project after deepcore is going to be the sub one night

Aurora made a very nice Sealab III with an interior, but it's been out of production since the 1970's.  Worse yet, it was used as a donor kit for a lot of Star Wars studio models so demand is high.   Here's a good rundown  on the kit:
http://www.greysteele.com/models/sealab.htm
Any of the Sealabs are eminently scratchable.  For something a little more science-fictiony, there are some Japanese space base and gundam base/factory/fortress kits that could play the part.
Andrew

Gorman-

 

Thanks much for the heads up. Will try to find either the Sealab, or some Gundam stuff. Given the plethora of Gundam kits, got an idea on the name of the kits I should look for?

Here's one:
http://www.hlj.com/product/AOS31537
I know next to nothing about Gundam myself, but buried in among the flying robots are some other kits that could have useful shapes and parts.  Personally, I'd just go with some ABS pipes, domes and a bunch of model railroad parts to make a seabase. Another possibility would be to cut down a Revell Germany "Andrew Jackson" Polaris sub if you needed a smaller scale.  Honestly, an HO scale  sleeper car interior and a scetion of tube would make a fair Sealab. Check walthers.com or your local railroad shop for more details.  The Walthers on-line catalog isn't nearly as good as the paper version, and the railroad guys have been very knowledgeable and helpful in the past. Don't be afraid of scratchbuilding/kitbashing- no matter how awful you thing the result is, it's the only one out there!
Andrew

AndrewGorman wrote:

Aurora made a very nice Sealab III with an interior, but it's been out of production since the 1970's.  Worse yet, it was used as a donor kit for a lot of Star Wars studio models so demand is high.   Here's a good rundown  on the kit: http://www.greysteele.com/models/sealab.htm Any of the Sealabs are eminently scratchable.  For something a little more science-fictiony, there are some Japanese space base and gundam base/factory/fortress kits that could play the part. Andrew

I've never seen any of those before, even more, never even heard about them, but looking at those pics I can imagine it shouldn't be hard to scratchbuild a "big"scale version using a 1/24 tank trailer from Revell or Italeri as a starter...