The official Submarine Warfare Group Build 2016 - 2017

Oh WOW Doug that type XXIII looks great!!! the water effects are perfect. 

Oh my! Doug that looks fabulous, I love the way the water looks.

Awww shucks... you guys are too kind. Thank you, I kind of did the fast easy way to do the water on this one. I took the bottom of the box the kit came in, turned it over, traced the outline of the boat, and cut a hole to set it in. Then cut some scrap cove trim to use as the base, stapled the box bottom to it. The water is just crumpled tin foil, flattened back out, leaving and adding some motion and surface ripples. Then it was painted with Model Masters dark sea blue, and a generous application of Liquitex medium heavy artest gel. It looks white and like a thinned paste going on, but over night dries clear. After that a little diluted white and clear Tamiya green to hi-light the surface, and some pulled and gel treated cotton for the wake and waves and you have some fast and easy water.

Thanks again guys...

Doug

I sprayed the Grey/Black and the Hull Red. Next is the decals then weathering.

Steve,

Your Akula class looks really good. And the Ohio class are large subs, close in length to the Typhoon class subs.

I'm waiting on a Japanese I-400 class kit to come in. I'm curious to see the size comparison to a LA class in 1/350 scale. This kit may end up being a second entry to this GB.

The LA looks to be just about the same length as the Akula. I'll work on that one on the side next.

The U-boat is still comming along slowly.

MC... your just knocking em out, watching the akula build with much interest. Mine is finally at the point where I feel its dry enough to start on again, maybe this weekend... Doug

Thanks Doug,

Good morning all... Didn't sleep well last night so I got up early and started on  detailing mu boat. She was still just a tad sticky, but good enough to begin detailing.

I started by adding dark brown rust streaks to seams and recesses, then washes with an acrylic burnt sienna, followed with a raw umber wash a bit thinner then the sienna.

After that I put a real light canvas green acrylic wash over all and after drying for a short time (thats another thing I like about acrylycs ) sprayed a sealing coat of Model Master semi gloss clear, thinned with isopropol rubbing alcahol, which tones down the sheen a bit. Next I'll mount her to the dio and finish that up.

Take care all!

Doug

Thatis really looking like a rusted hulk Doug 

Oh my goodness! Doug and Steve your work is impressive to say the least. Excellent work gents. 

Still looks pretty darned good!

Steve,

I'd like to add this as a second entry into this GB:

1/350 Tamiya I-400

I will working on this one before the Typhoon. I will be doing a crossover with the Japanese V GB.

Thanks,

@rigidrider,

I'm really looking forward to seeing how you are going to do the dio for the U-boat. It looks fantastic as it sits now!

@Steve,

It must be my eyes (no, it's my ignorance) but I didn't see a change on your Akula class for the limber holes. But, that is one of the big reasons for building models on a forum. Gaining knowledge! Your Akula still looks outstanding!

Bruce,

I got your new entry down on the list. I was hoping someone was going to build the I-400. Are you going to put the Aichi on it? Even at 1/350 that still should be a relatively large build.

I think the lighting on the Akula is keeping you from seeing any difference. In person you would have been able to tell.

Steve,

I believe it comes with three aircraft. My plan was to put one on the submarine ramp, one with the wings folded still in the hanger, and the last one on a stand that is provided with the kit.

I also purchased a 1/350 Gato class, and a IX-C U-boat. I want to do an unbuilt side by side comparison of these three sunmarines. This I-400 is huge for a WW2 submarine!

Gentleman,

I've opened the I-400, looks like a nice kit. I will build this OOB, it already has some PE with the kit. And I was wrong, the kit come with 6 Seiran aircraft! Here are some pictures of the goodies:

And the Seiran's:

And for kicks, a size comparison with a 1943 Gato class, and a IX-C U-boat:

It's a big sub! I haven't pulled a LA class sub out yet, but, I would guess this I-400 has about 50 feet on the LA class. 

This is all I have for tonight. Thanks for looking!

Now that's a big boat.

Hogfanfs... Yeah, I read that the 400 is a huge boat. It'll look great finished, and thanks for the kind words. I've never really built boats, but with a decent book or two, I can usually reproduce it on a model.Doug

I recall looking at some pictures of a surviving one and it was HUGE. It carried several Aichi planes so that alone makes for the size increase. I read that the US Navy kept it away from the Russians and sunk it somewhere. 

I was watching a YouTube video a few months ago called "The largest submarine of WWII" or some such. If I recall, the video stated that the Japanese had to design it with 2 pressure hulls side by side to keep it stable. 

Interesting video if you get the chance. 

Steve,

Here it is, but, it's 51 minutes:

And PJ is correct, The American's scuttled the subs, because the Soviets demanded to see them after the war.

Edit: It was 122m or 400 feet long!

The USS Nautilus and her sister were not slouches in the size war either, used as raiding party transportation early in the war.  Then you have the French Surcouf that mounted a pair of 8 inch guns..........

Okey Dokey... Heres the start of the dio... The sub is mounted but not quite done yet...

Here is some more of it going together...

Here its starting to come together, I need to add sand now to the "turf" that I laid down first, The walls are just acetate sheet, cut to fit, then painted blue on the inside, and dark transparent green on the outside with a 1 1/2 brush , then air brushed again with the green. Not exactly how I wanted it to look, but I think in the end it might do. The top will have a light airbrushing of the green so any light will filter through green and hi-light the finished model.

OK, I added a bit more sand and will add some more when this dries, and added some crusty stuff to some surfaces... The next pictures will likely be the finished shots. Hope every one is having a good weekend!

Take care...

Doug

Wow, that is really looking good Doug  What did you use for the crust?

I have an update from the weekend.
I mixed Testers enamel rust and Testers enamel flat black to make a burnt umber. I sprayed this onto the upper part of the hull and using a bush. I applied some AK Interactives Worn Effects in specific areas for chipping later.

I sprayed the lower/upper hull and deck with Vallejo acrylics and when dry, use a wet brush to remove areas of chipping.

I have quite a bit to do still and will use oils to enhance the rusted areas after I'm done.