My build is a fairly obscure one, the Argentine aviso Comandante General Zapiola, from the Battlefleet models 1:700 Cherokee fleet tug kit. Zapiola was the former USN fleet tug Arapaho, acquired by the Argentine navy in 1961 for use as an aviso, a despatch boat.

One photo of a sister ship of Zapiola gave me the inspiration for the intended build, showing the vessel just off the coast of a snowy (I think) Tierra del Fuego.

I don't expect this to be a very long build, test fits show the kit to go together extremely well, though the diorama element may take a little longer with what I have in mind, more to follow on that.

Here are some photos to give the general idea.

Mike

Mike,

Can you get us a pic of the box art.....something to tide us over untill we see your build?

Most resin kits don't have boxart, some may have drawings and others photos but the limited run of these sort of kits means that it is always too expensive to pay an artist as well.

I plan to start the little General tonight, will post a few photos later

Mike

Finally an update on my build of Zapiola. I have added a lot of details so far, but have decided to do this in a slightly different way than I would usually. In this case as the colour scheme seems to be an overall light grey, I have decided to do all the building and sub assemblies first and then paint, rather than my usual method of building and painting as I go along.

I like the fact that the kit represents a generic Cherokee class tug rather than any specific one, they seem to be all different in small details so I find it is easier to add the detail required rather than remove what is not wanted. The only thing I did remove where two lockers in front of the main superstructure behind the main gun, which were not on the photos of Zapiola.

Next step is completing the mainmast, crane jib and some other minor details. Boat derricks and other minor details aren't shown on the photos, I forgot. More soon.









mike

Very nice Mike. I really like those small details.

Looking sweet, Mike...what a unique subject! Thanks for the update...
Cheers,
Mark

Very clean Mike
Are those liferaft supports made out of raillings?
Keep up
Skipper

Hi Mike,

Wow, who's kit is that!
No, seriously a very nice, clean build. Love all the PE extras.
That was my intention, to make it easy for the ship modeler to be able to make most of the ATF Tug class with the basic kit.
Keep-up the excellent work!

H.

Mike,
Extremely nice build !! Your attention to detail is showing through. I really like the open doors and hatches. Of course, good luck painting the inside of those details and the simulated open compartment. But it really does look very nice, keep up the Great work and please keep us advised with photos. Semper Fi ........................Bruce

Very nice, Mike. Do you think I should quit now!

Cheers

Peter F.

Never give up Peter!!!

Skipper

Just a bit of fun Mr F!

Mike

More updates, all the building done and before the painting.







Probably easier to list the additions now whilst I can still see them -

Kit - Battlefleet Models USS Cherokee

Etch - GMM Ultrafine railings,
cable reels,
doors / hatches / hose reels,
White Ensign USN doors,
Bofors details, (not shown)
boat details (not shown), ladders,
railing for life raft supports
anchors from Starling fret
Hasegawa IJN boat davits (ok I cheated but they look nice and a davit is pretty much a davit)


Scratchbuilt
masts, derricks, jibs, steam pipes etc from brass rod
hatches from brass sheet
piping and similar copper wire
plastic card for radars, stowage boxes, various

More soon

Mike

That's nice work Mike, a very neat clean little build it should look great with paint.

Hi Mike!!

Very clean built and a very detailed, as expected!
I really like it - now bring us some Patagonian stormy weather to go along
Cheers,
Skipper

Latest update, most of the work done other than hull numbers, crew and some load items, now working on the little research base which forms the rest of the diorama along with a little bit of the Tierra del Fuego coast. Some local wildlife soon to be added.

Mike

Fantastic, Mr. McCabe, a wonderful scene...this will make a very nice feature (hint-hint), my friend!
Cheers,
Mark

Looks pretty good to me, Mike!!

Can not wait to see the Penguin's.

Not penguins in this case, sealions yes, maybe some southern fulmars, blue eyed cormorants and perhaps a black browed albatros, been doing my research you see...

Mike

Well,

I must say you surprised me on this set Mike!
I was expecting a bad sea situation and you present us with a (aparently) calm day at the research base harbour!
Leopard Seals also could make an interesting wild life detail: they usually are curious and they are loners - don't travell in packs!

Regarding the Comandante General Zapiola, on the first photo (real ship) the deck looks dark grey/ dark green (well it's a dark colour!!!!!) and in your model you have it all in light grey... are you going to paint it now or is it a different paint scheme? (just curious)

Cheers
Skipper

Rui
I'm not sure if the deck is a different colour in that photo, it is a bit hard to tell, also she is shipping a lot of water across the decks. In any case the photo is at a later period to my model, there are a few slight differences to the mast etc, and the decks appear to be the same colour on the one I am using as a reference, though again it is hard to tell.

Mike

Tierra del fantastico, Mike, and thnaks for your buildalong, it's made the ATF for the Atlantic dio much easier to realise.

Now about that Grille kit...........


Peter F

Zapiola is finished -



Not sure where I need to post the five photos?

Mike

In the dedicated gallery Mike "Ship of the Quarter (SOTQ) Contest #2" Official Image Gallery » "Completed Models"
And if you can make the photos 800x600 that would be nice

Congratulations - It looks very good!!
Skipper

Ahoy Mike, she looks Fabulous, my friend....while you're snapping pic's, get a bunch of good ones for a nice build feature, as well...
Thanks for your participation, mate!

Cheers,
Mark