Bakster: Yeah, gotta agree with the guys here. I'm going to airbrush the whole fret of PE grey and then touch up the attachment points and anywhere else I chip the paint off. Personally I use 'Gator Grip' glue on PE, I've had much better luck with it than super. 

Steve: Sorry! The Sherman started with the smaller mushroom shaped turret with the 75mm gun and later got upgraded with the larger T23 turret with the 76mm gun. If you watch the movie 'Fury' you'll see both types in it. I'll have to do some more research- I want to model the ship as my uncle served during the liberation of the Philipines. The L'Arsenal tanks are perfect for the earlier model if I need to replace the tanks. Thanks! 

I'm going to look around for more photos to comfirm or deny if the bow is correct or not.  

BTW, looking for those photo etch helpers, I found only 2 on eBay for a good price but outragous shipping from England or Australia and nothing on Amazon. Looking for other sources, under a diffrent name, this is what I found.

https://www.amazon.com/Rhinestones-Jewelry-Picking-Pencil-Dotting/dp/B07MX7S5QY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nail+art+rhinestones+picker+wax+pencil&qid=1570467853&sr=8-1

Thanks guys. That's what i was thinking about the railings since the other stuff will get painted along with what ever they are guled to. The wood deck was the only thing I wondered about.

Speaking about PE. I got something new that I want to try out on the ship. 

When I ordered the Flexy CA gule from VMS I saw the Metal Prep 4K. You brush a thin coat over your PE BEFORE painting and it helps hold the paint on better. I've always used lacquer primer and it's been ok. Just wanted to try something new. Here's a video.

modelcrazy

BTW, looking for those photo etch helpers, I found only 2 on eBay for a good price but outragous shipping from England or Australia and nothing on Amazon. Looking for other sources, under a diffrent name, this is what I found.

https://www.amazon.com/Rhinestones-Jewelry-Picking-Pencil-Dotting/dp/B07MX7S5QY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nail+art+rhinestones+picker+wax+pencil&qid=1570467853&sr=8-1

 

I remember buying mine from China. Truth is a black "greese" pencils will work just as well. You can get them at Stamples of Office Max. Come to think about it, Those are mostly wax and kids crayons are wax too. I bet those would work but not hold them as good.

Thanks for the link, Steve. I will look into buying a few. 

Oh boy--not good. Figuring that these are only .14ea I'd order 10 and make it worthwhile. They want to charge $2.99 shipping ... for each pencil! $29 later--I emptied the cart. I will see what I can find locally. What a bummer.

This is what I bought. Like I said they are greese pencils and can be bought at just about any businsss supply store.

I bought mine on Ebay before I realized what they were and could get them locally.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-10X-China-Markers-Peel-Off-Chinagraph-Grease-Wax-Pencil-For-Metal-Glass-Fabric/252815201324?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Kentucky Colonel

This is what I bought. Like I said they are greese pencils and can be bought at just about any businsss supply store.

 

I bought mine on Ebay before I realized what they were and could get them locally.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-10X-China-Markers-Peel-Off-Chinagraph-Grease-Wax-Pencil-For-Metal-Glass-Fabric/252815201324?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

Bakster

Oh boy--not good. Figuring that these are only .14ea I'd order 10 and make it worthwhile. They want to charge $2.99 shipping ... for each pencil! $29 later--I emptied the cart. I will see what I can find locally. What a bummer.

 

I couldn't find the ones I ordered for $1.69, free shipping, for 2. It'll cost me $1.69 to drive to the store.

modelcrazy

 

 

Bakster

Oh boy--not good. Figuring that these are only .14ea I'd order 10 and make it worthwhile. They want to charge $2.99 shipping ... for each pencil! $29 later--I emptied the cart. I will see what I can find locally. What a bummer.

 

 

 

 

I couldn't find the ones I ordered for $1.69, free shipping, for 2. It'll cost me $1.69 to drive to the store.

 

I'm learning lots about PE, good stuff!

The decals came from China, they are interesting. I ended up using only the hull numbers from China. I used the depth markings from the Skipjack kit. They are 1/230 scale and the Blueback is 1/200, so they are off a little. I could not find any that were closer.

I got them on tonight:

As near as I can figure the lower sonar dome was not on the boat for long, if at all. 

I have some googly eyes I used for detail on another kit that will work. I'm just not sure

it was really on the boat. The onlt reference for it is a side drawing, but that does not

have the "H" tail.

The last thing I need to address is diesel snorkle faring.

Edit:

looks like I'll have to try and reposition the port side sail numbers.

The Blueback is looking good Mach. What's intresting about the decals? Are they rub on?

The carrier breakdown is odd. Unlike most aftermarket decals I've used, that are printed on a solid sheet of decal film and need to be cut out, or kit decals that have film around the graphic only, these are grouped together with a few graphics on decal small film sections.

They are also very thick, come off the paper almost on contact with water, and dry very fast. Lastly they dont seem to react to micro sol/set.

But they look very nice!

beautiful sub...

Your sub looks great, Mach. It looks ready to prowl the waters looking for prey.

Mach71: Even if the decals aren't exactly right they look good! Nice work!!! 

Bakster, I ran across this video and though you might be intrested. In fact, this guy does excelent videos on several ships from Sail to WW2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDOTezQddY0&list=PLMK9a-vDE5zHuLrcOMv3FfCy8LgWd5JNH&index=1

I think I have the diesel farings worked out.

I'll paint them soon and see how they look.

modelcrazy

Bakster, I ran across this video and though you might be intrested. In fact, this guy does excelent videos on several ships from Sail to WW2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDOTezQddY0&list=PLMK9a-vDE5zHuLrcOMv3FfCy8LgWd5JNH&index=1

 

Thanks for the link!! I found the USS Missouri on one of the videos and saved it. It showed a couple pictures from Korea War that I plan to use.

March71,

Good job on the sub.

Hey Steve, thanks for the link. I watched it and it was cool....

Mach, the sub is really looking sharp 

KC, Bakster, you're welcome. The host, while he seems to have the slightest pro British slant, I could be wrong there since he is also a naval engineer, is funny and extremely knowlagable (and he can make a mess of some American ship names like St Louis, Wichata and Muskegon LOL). I have been bingeing his vids for 2 weeks now. He comes up with some intresting conclusions that most of the rest of us have never thought of or heard. Such as the Bismarck was not that well designed, since all of her supply lines, power and communications were outside the armor. This proved disastrous since she fell silent fairly quickly after the battle started due to power, communication and supply loss' to her guns. The Tirpitz on the other hand, incorperated these learned lessons and would probaly would have lasted longer in a gun fight had she not been bombed out of existence by what was, in essence, the grandfather of the MOAB. His recount of the Battle off Samar is excelent.

mach71

I think I have the diesel farings worked out.

 

 

I'll paint them soon and see how they look.

 

Again that looks good! You're doing a great job. 

Not much to show but here is a little of what I am working on.

Below: This piece is part of the ships funnel. The actual ship has a catwalk that goes around the upper most section. The kit accounts for that by supplying a horseshoe shaped ring that glues to the funnel. I thought it looked stupid, so I sanded it as flat as I felt safe to, and added railing.

A little other railing work I am doing. It is a bit wonky here and there but for now it will have to do.

Oh, lastly--I tried the Grease Pencil (China Pencil). It does seem to work but I have a concern with the residue that is left behind. For that reason, I think I'll order and try the wax ones. Those might leave some residue too but I am hoping less so, because the grease pencil is designed to leave marks behind. 

nice work steve , I think the railings were never dead straight anyway .

Looking nice Bakster!

I think I'm going to call the Blueback done. I might make a stand for it, but I'll call her done.

I sealed her in flat clear. 

Mach...nicely done. 

I think OMSI would be proud to have it if you ever decide to pass her on.

steve5

nice work steve , I think the railings were never dead straight anyway .

 

Thanks Mach, and your Sub looks gorgeous. Congrats!

Bakster, nice looking job on the PE. At 1/700 scale, it is extreamly difficult to get everything perfectly aligned.

Mach71, another sweet looking sub  I love the modifications you made.

Now liberty liberty liberty, liberty call for the Blueback!

Here is your achevement ribbon and grab the badge on your way to the liberty chest for a beverage of your choice. 

There's still plenty of time to sign up for another Capt. Also, don't forget about the German GB starting next Aug, just 10 months away.