The official Submarine Warfare Group Build 2016 - 2017

Doug, some great suggestions there. Doing those wires right is somthing i am really keen on trying. So all this info is very useful.

Hey Bish... yeah, thats what I like about the forums myself... On top of the amazing building skills displayed, I always learn something from my peers here. Take a small piece of aluminum or whatever is available, and drill a hole in it the length you want your turn buckles (just a slight bit deeper to make up for the cutting wheel) and every one will come out the same length. I also make the hole just a slight but bigger then the needle so it removes easily after being cut. Take care!

Doug

Great job Steve . The wires and turnbuckles look great specially in this larger scale. The overall effect, paint, weathering and detailing is just simply amazing. Are you palnning for a deck crew? I think some crew members will lend a size comparison and add even more interest to the display.

MC-  if you didn't use the anchor from your Gato launch build, take a look at it, but it may be way to small, 1/144 vs. 1/72.

I'll echo everyone else, absolutely fantastic build.  Should be a winner in a show.

GH,

I actually gave that anchor to a guy in our club for the same reason. It's been over a month and half now waiting for ROG. Another guy in our club has the 1/72 scale anchor he will loan me so I can make a mold of it. I then should be able to cast one, or I can pay $15 + shipping from Latvia to get a pretty brass AM one, with other useless items thrown it the bag of course.

Cool, was going to look in the 1/72 Gato and see if it has 2, and send one, as Wahoo only had the starboard one.  If nothing else works out, let me know.

I checked the 1/72, only one in the kit.  Do have the extra 1/144 if you end up needing it.

Still in the group build.  Finally have pictures of submarine sub assembles.  Next the dreaded paint.

Just like the Akula, not much to the kit, but it builds up nice.

I received my anchor from ROG yesterday so I'll be done with the U-boat for good soon.

Agreed MC, although when ya count up the missile tubes, and missiles, two pieces each, it took an afternoon to get them done. The hatches have four pieces each and i have been highly caffinated the last couple days. Way to shakey to tackle those tiny parts. My plan is to paint the inside black or very dark grey then only paint the missiles about 1/3rd of the way down asas they really can't be seen once placed. IMO thus Hobbyboss kit is WAY better than the old Dragon kit.

armornut

IMO thus Hobbyboss kit is WAY better than the old Dragon kit.

Yeah, they make some nice sub kits. Does your's come with PE?

The screws are PE, I am wondering if i can put the pitch into them without goofing up how they mount. The kit does have plactic in the event i do goof however i was gonna scavange them for the poor old Dragon kit i am using as a "test bed" for weathering the beast. I haven't got alot of 1/350 PE experience so trying to go whole hog isn't something I'm ready to do yet. Heck I barely have 35th PE figured out.

The Akula had a PE screw and it was super easy. my only suggestion is to mount them at the end so you don't bend them while handling the boat. 

I started the 1/350 Dragon LA class. this is as far as I'm going because I will be putting it in a water scene. Now on to the paint.

Ubercool thanks for the info on the screws.

Steve – That U-boat build is just fantastic! Love the construction, weathering, detailing. Build is certainly show-winner quality.

I have been working on mine; you are right, the Dragon LA class and Ohio class molds are a tad inferior to the Hobby Boss offerings at least in terms of fit. Will be posting some pics over the weekend.

Those look identical to my Dragon ki........ wait a minute! I'll bet they are the old Dragon kits!

They should go together pretty easly, not much of a part count, but will make for nice diaplays once completed.

Nice to see evryone elses progress.  The only thing I've managed to accomplish on the Gato is fill the port anchor recess, as the 238 boat only had the starboard anchor.  Still looking at the PE for the shears and upper works and shuddering, wondering what I got into.....

Bound to be a raging alcaholic by the time I get done with the PE..........

JMart

The base is…rather annoying, as it has the scale “1/350 USN” as part of the Name Plate. Also, the name plate/base says “LOS ANGELES CLASS SSN” instead of the actual name of the boat, USS Chicago, which is your only choice for markings. I am debating whether to chisel out the extra info (scale) from the name plate. The Ohio class base has a similar issue.

 

modelcrazy

Those look identical to my Dragon ki........ wait a minute! I'll bet they are the old Dragon kits!

I know the boomer is a rebox of the old Dragon Ohio kit. Not sure if the LA Class was a Dragon or Italeri rebox...   yes, small part count, not very good fit, but a quick build :)

I'm in with the Revell 1/125 U47 w/ interior.

Great work everybody! Neat build Steve! Hopefully everybody is doing well. Just came home last night after being stuck on the interstate for 6.5 hours. All that for 38 miles. I got hit by snow and freezing rain. Semi trucks covered the road. All were stopped at the bottom of the double hill we have as you pass by our town. Everyone was putting chains on in the middle of the road and at least a dozen semi trucks were blocking the road after getting stuck or spun out. To top that, I was so low on fuel from sitting I had to turn my car off. No heater or anything for about 4hrs.  So I just got out walked around a bit.  WHAT A MISERABLE EVENING!

modelcrazy

Those look identical to my Dragon ki........ wait a minute! I'll bet they are the old Dragon kits!

They should go together pretty easly, not much of a part count, but will make for nice diaplays once completed.

 

Steve, Cyber Hobby is a branch of Dragon. The last few years they have been releaseing older Dragon kits under the Cyber Hobby Orange box label. With armour kits they usually have a few extras, like a figure set. Don't know if same applies to the shops or its just a fancy new box.

modelcrazy

I finally received the anchor, so now she totally complete and ready for a contest.

 

Glad it finally came through in the end Steve. Better late than never.

Thanks Bish, It’s good to close the books on a build and not have it sit there with a glaring hole in it where a part goes.
Those old Dragon sub kits aren’t too bad. The fit is acceptable as well as the detail. Not much of a parts count but what can you expect from a modern sub.

Cody, that sounds miserable. I would get stuck in those jams quite a bit as a truck driver years ago. The difference is the truckers have a bed, food, water and well the ability to "go" in an emergency if you know what I mean.