The official Submarine Warfare Group Build 2016 - 2017

I finally got all the stanchions attached and the ones along the fairwater got the additional bracing made from stretched sprue. The railings for the lookout platform were made from stretched sprue as were some of the other wire type railings. Others   were made from vinyl thread.

The diving plane actuators were not included in the kit so I made some from stretched sprue.

Got a pre routed base and wood finials at HL. Stained and polished them out then mounted the Gato.

I ordered the gato patch from ebay to attach it to the base as in the picture. It's kind of large and wished it was smaller. Instead I was thinking of using a metal small tag with the name USS Gato SS 212. Any thoughts on this will be welcomed.

Next will be the painting and weathering, the fun part of the build IMO.

Thanks rob for the info. I just may try that on my next Gato build. I will have some updated pictures soon.

I got you down Mach and it's only too late if you sign up on the last day. Your entry sounds good and fits right in with the theme.

Welcome aboard.

I know I'm late to the party, but can I get in with the Atlantis 1/35 H.L. Hunley?

I haven't built a Sub in decades but I'm kind of on a Hunley kick right now.

You may want to try ez-line. I use it for antennas for airplanes etc. It is stretchable and snaps back to it original taughtness if disturbed.

http://berkshirejunction.com/ez-line/

Rob

plasticjunkie

Several days and no activity in this GB

Yeah PJ, I might have to slap my Ohio class together to keep it going in the slow times.

Looking great PJ  I favor the stretched sprue but nylon line may be easier. 

Several days and no activity in this GB, I guess folks are busy. I'll keep things moving with another short update on my Gato. After several hours of carefully removing the pe railings from the sheet, they went on the cigarette decks which was quite a test in patienece. The railings on the forward cig deck are a hair short in reaching the tower wall so I need to add a piece on both sides to contact the tower.

I decided not to use the pe railings on the main deck and used the plastic stanchions instead. I still have to add the side tube supports to 4 of them on both sides of the fairwater. I will then use either stretched sprue or very thin nylon thread for the railing wire. The lookaout platform also needs the railings that I have yet to fashion from either brass or plastic.

Well, egg on my face.....Ordered 5 items, got four bubbblewrap baggies.  Opened the 4", and looked through the others through the bubbblewrap.   They had put 2 of the 1/72 20's in one baggie. Already sent an apologie.   Nothing like being pulled down a few notches because of your own slackness.

Other than your issue dealing with the designer, they sound like a nice set. I am always pleased with the 3D items I order. The wave of the future.

Well my Shapeways order showed up.....the 1/144 4"/50 and the 20's are things of beauty.  On the 1/72 20's, one shield was bent back on each, but no biggie as they come off anyway.  But only got two instead of the three orderd.  Have sent an email on it, not heard back yet.  The designer of the 1/72 4"/50 says the latest issue is fixed, but I'm holding off for now, also said I would be interested in either the beta or try in first options.  Nothing back on the login stuff yet either.  Such is life I guess.

As the first attempt of trying/dealing with 3D print stuff, not all that encouraging.

Thanks GH and Steve. Yes color will make them look super and can't wait to shoot some black on them. Right now they look like ghost guns LOL. Don't know why it says to use acrylic paint. So Iguess Tamiya Nato Black acrylic is ok to use on these pieces.

I think you will like them GH once you get them and see all that groovy detail.

Just noticed the center scope off a little. I had them all aligned so more ca to secure it.

goldhammer

OOOOOOOO....those look nice, should really pop when they get some color on them.  Nice work on the shears and radars, really stand out in color.

OOOOOOOO....those look nice, should really pop when they get some color on them.  Nice work on the shears and radars, really stand out in color.

My 1/144 20's and 4" ard the 1/72 20's are enroute.  They said the 1/72 4" is ready again.  Waiting to hear back on the other issue, but may try the "be the first to try" or the "beta" test. About 2/3 the full price.  I may end up on a pedestal as well, the water is putting me off my feed right now.

I have some progress with my Gato build. Went to HL and got a nice pre routed base and wooden finials that got stained and polished up. I mounted the Gato on the finials and will be able to remove it for painting. Double click on the pictures for closeups!

got the fairwater mounted and secured to the deck. I assembled the kit's stand to hold the boat while being worked on.

I placed the 3" and 20 mm guns on their locations just to see how they look. I'm very pleased with the level of details. I wanted one 20mm elevated so one was cut off from the mount and super glued it back slightly elevated.

Closeup of the 3"/50 gun.

GMorrison

Anyone with a brother named Zoltan is cool with me.

plasticjunkie

Thanks GM. The freakin little screen and tiny keyboard in my phone are responsible.

 

 

goldhammer

They haven't detailed the problem and neither has the designer, just saying it can't be printed, for the third time, he supposedly fixed the other two issues it had.  They have worn out the bank's computer with all the charges and refunds.....my statement is going to be like 9 pages this month.

 

Well, for what it's worth at least they tried unlike Nautilus. I haven't heard anything back from that guy.

They haven't detailed the problem and neither has the designer, just saying it can't be printed, for the third time, he supposedly fixed the other two issues it had.  They have worn out the bank's computer with all the charges and refunds.....my statement is going to be like 9 pages this month.

Thanks GM. The freakin little screen and tiny keyboard in my phone are responsible.

Wrong thread

delete

Wow GH sorry man. What the heck is the issue with making the deck gun? They have it in other scales so I don't get it.

The details on my /144 scale 3"/50 is just outstanding so I'm a happy camper.

I've read a couple of reviews that say that the 1/72 guns in your model are little jewels.

Looks like everything will ship by the 4th.  Now to get the pesky login fixed.

**EDIT**  well just got an email from them on the 4"/50 in 1/72.  More issues and not able to ship, and never have heard back on the login issue.  Sent a very unhappy email back saying I'm done with them since they can't fill the order after 3 tries, and can't get the site to recognize my login with out having to ask for a reset every time I want to login. They are more trouble than they are worth.  Screw it, will just build the 1/72 with the kit 4" when I get to it.

Sorry for the issues GH. Hopefully it will be sorted out.

I hope so, went through another cycle of cancel and reorder, and have had to rest password twice and the site still won't recognize either email or username and pass word.

Here's hoping it gets sent this time.  And he said he went to a different pedestal base this time to boot.  Hoping it still works for subs, awaiting answer on that one.

Shapeways is on the ball with one's order and strives for superior quality and great customer support. 

Here you go for service....got notified there was a problem with the 1/72 4"/50 and that part of the order was cancelled.  The builder fixed it within a couple of hours and is ready to go again with it.  Re-ordered it already.  That is being on the ball for customer service in my book.

Thanks GM.  Appreciate the confirmation.

As an aside, I did see a Balao fairwater and shears on Shapeways for those doing one of that class.  Not real cheap, but pretty much the only game going from what I know.

PJ, will take care in working with them, thanks for the warning.

goldhammer

MC & PJ-

Thanks, went and had a look.  Seems like I'll be putting in an order for their 4"/50, 20's in 1/72 and their 20's in 1/144.  Seems Wahoo had the pedestal bases insted of the tripod style, at least from the pics I've seen of her in July '43.  Haven't seen any showing what she had in Jan./Feb. after her 3rd patrol.