Hi guys,

Well, as most of you know, I have been away for some months due to work/RL projects/chores issues.
I have currently two things going on at the same time, that I am trying to finish in time for SMW 09.

One is (was my entry for Gator Navy Campaign) a diorama called "Big Brother" ...




The other one, is this:
Also a dio, called Prepping the Pantera - K-317 Russian Akula Submarine























As with my latest projects, they are both in 1/700 scale, and still a little bit away of being finished
Comments, critics, as usual, are most welcome.

Rui

Hi Rui!

I'm glad you are attempting spray with the ACV approaching the ramp. That's tough enough to do in larger scales, let alone 1:700!

Looks like a lot of first-hand research went into the drydock scene. Now we now what secret mission you were on over the summer!


--Karl

Thanks Karl!

Yes, making the spray on the Aist was a real challenge.
But a bigger one was making the skirt deflected on the bigger one (Pomornik).

The Russian (soviet built?) Floating Dry-Dock was researched over a couple of books and some images found over the internet.
I decided to make full use of one of those Hobby Boss nice submarines, but the work involved turned out a big challenge

As for my absence, that had nothing modeling related, except that it kept me away from it...

Thanks again for your input
Cheers,
Rui

An update on the Akula dio...


























Comments/Critics/Questions are welcome
Cheers,
Rui

You've sure moved this dio along this week, Rui. It's already eye-catching, but I hope you won't be shy on the weathering. Yards are usually grimy places and with your painting skills, it will look like a miniature and not a model!



--Karl

Hi Karl!

Shall not be afraid, I will weather it properly
First, I will need to finish the Floating Dock, and the weathering will be the one but last task in it (with the exception of attaching it to the base).
The sub will also be weathered, and this is my main concern now... It's always tricky to make a sub weathered convincingly bellow waterline - but I will give it a shot!
Again, Thank you for your comment

Rui

Looking great Rui!

And the result of the weekend:

- Akula painted (just need to give a coat of future, decals, future... uff and then weathering time!)
- Crane partially weathered
- Pier and block weathered (waterline area)

Not too much, but two BIG steps (first two) toward completion











Comments are welcome
Cheers,
Rui

That is truely awesome, Rui! I love it!!

That's a really nice dio Skip. I can just see that on a contest display table some day, with a appropriate award alongside it. That Akula is so impressive, it looks like something out of a Sci Fi graphic novel, not a realy world ship, or boat.

Hi Guys!

Today, after some more work, I'll post some "Turn Around" of the dio... it serves to check the balance and also to spot small needed corrections. I'll post here the overall views today.
More close-ups and more progress soon

As usual, feel free to comment, critic.. the lot!

Without further delay, here are the photos:

























Thanks for watching
Cheers,
Rui

beautiful work, Rui. Particularly, I like both the weathering on the crane, and the work on the tugboat, including the wake effect in the water. This is one impressive Shark (Akula)....again, beautiful.

Matt

Thank you for the compliments, Matt!

Well, time for another update...
The weathering is done, all over, some of the figures are already there, but still a "few" more to add.
Attaching the sub to the floating dock and some minor touch ups and it's done.

As usual, comments/critics are welcome
Enjoy the photos





























Cheers,
Rui

Hi guys

It's finished! Now it is ready for packaging and making a trip to Telford
The "Big Brother" Dio.. well, it's on the TO-DO List, but only when I come back.
It's near completion, so another week of work and it will be ready (I hope)

Thanks to all who supported, viewed and commented
Cheers,
Rui

I knew you'd nail it with the weathering! You've packed a lot into such a compact base.

I can appreciate your relief in having a project finished--just sent in pics for the Divine Waterline set. So now I can shift to five or six other projects!

--Karl

Great jop - spot on - maaaybe a bit more rust on the dock, but its great as it is - good luck!

Cheers/Jan

This is just unbelievable! I was pretty sure it is in 1/350 scale until I read the whole thread.
1/700! I'm speechless.

Great work Rui!

Awesome build Skipper looks even better in the flesh so to speak saw this at the show on the Sunday the small details are brilliant

Thanks guys...

Just a quick note, to say that after some more severe damage on the way back (ships and submarines models are NOT SUPPOSED TO FLY!), this model will need some more work.

After the repairs I will submit finished photos

Again thank you for the compliments
Cheers,
Rui

That looks fantastic Rui - alas I missed it at Telford. Where was it on display? I would've loved to get up close and personal with this diorama

Hi Neil

It was on the Ships Dioramas category (left hand side of competition area)
Thanks for the compliments
Cheers,
Rui

Argh, I missed that part - I was only there on the Saturday, so only got a few mins in the comp area (which was VERY crowded) before I had to go home. I also got asked to help out a little bit with the bag holding area at the entrance to the competetion area.

Did you get a placing?

Hi Neil

Not with this one
But I got a Bronze on the 700 ships category

Actually, the ship diorama was very near to the bag collecting area (just a small stone away )
I think I will take it again next year, but it will be on the Fine Waterline SIG table
Cheers,
Rui

Ain't that the truth! That's why I'm glad I discovered internet modeling--you can build what you like and share it with thousands around the world and your stuff never has to leave the house! For me, the only downside is having to master a second hobby (miniature photography) to convey the first hobby....

--Karl