Updated 23 September 2007
PAINT
Was scary, but applied the basic paint. Airbrushed the D51 med grey, and hand brushed most of the hull the D53/Schiff bluey-charcoal. I was going to airbrush everything, but each panel will need shading and weathering attention, so by using thin paint and a one-way down stroke, I hopefully have given the impression of water run-off on the saddle tanks, and a little metal grain.
Tamiya masking tape was very useful for covering the deck and the waterline, it was easy to use, and when lightly burnished on the edges, not a single bit of chipping or feathering. I mixed my own paints from various Humbrol combos, to match WEM. Generally pleased, and I altered the formula here and there to build in basic fading and dirt variation.
I am generally pleased with the anchor well, it is much smoother and more shallow, like the pix.
Weathering is next, but am coming down the home stetch.
TO DO
- weather boat
- finish brass rails
- finish guns (rebuild 88's shoulder braces)
- torpedo dio on deck
- crew at hatches loading supplies
- deck lines and 1 or 2 rope fenders
- rig (with EZ Line?)
- decals
- router base edge and stain
- open a Beck's and drink deep!
If I finish in the next 4 weeks, it will have taken 2 years. But I was slow and took time off.
Check out the Gallery for Ralf Banach’s U 377 work, coming along nicely! Dan Bauer is working on a new boat too, with new pix coming.
Some new shots. The harsh conrast of the lighting is taking away the subtleties, and making the 3-color rust look fluro orange! Better shots when finally finished...
Fun Stuff
Buy my submarine t-shirts and mugs at CafePress!
Just a small selection now, more to come (and open to suggestions).