Just a pic to show that it is still in progress, the etched parts are on [they don't really look that great to me] and the arrester wires have been added with fishing line, [thanks for the tip warlock0322].

my hat's off to you.the illustrious just looks brilliant. bulldog#13

Martin:
She looks great from what I can see you have done her justice. The water looks phenominal and the pe gives it that added touch she wouldn't have without it.
Glad I could help with the fishing line....Great job can't wait to see more.
Paul

Just a quick update.

Lookin' real good! The water looks excellent. I'm almost seasick! Got any more photos?

Thanks KK, I have nearly finished this one and will take some more pics then, there's a destroyer to finish and a bit more tweaking to do.

Martin:
All I can say is Wow!!!!! It looks like you got this ship thing down pat. The water and planes look great. Can't wait to see her escort beside her when the whole thing is done.
Great job!!!!
Paul

A couple of quick snaps of the finished dio. I put a load of figures on the flightdeck but half of them fell off whilst positioning the ship. I also managed to knock one of the ship's boats and arial mast out of alignment but didn't realise until I saw the pics. These were my first ship kits for years and I learned a lot, hopefully the next ones will be much better.

Your water is without a doubt, the best I have ever seen. It as close to real as I have ever seen (for high seas).. What technique did you use?

Thanks Blaster76. The water was simply ready mixed wall filler spread out onto the base and sculpted with a wet paintbrush. Then painted and drybrushed with cheap acrylics.

Well my friend, you certainly know how to paint good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Martin:
Simply remarkable. The water and Ships look great you pulled this Dio off beautifly. If these are the first ones in years then I for one cannot wait to see what you will be able to do on
"The next ones" you said those magic words. So tell us what we can expect to see on your next one..
Once again Great Job and let me buy you the first round to celebrate

Paul

Hi warlock0322, thanks, my next ships will be a Bogue class escort carrier [assuming HLJ come through] with a KG5 class battleship. Also thank you to you and all the others who have given me tips and encouragement on this one.

Sweet Build Martin, you did well ! Looks like the water, ships and every thing came out just right. I can tell you put alot of thought into your work.

Regards,
Garry

Wow, that is some amazing work. I am just getting ready to start on my first ship model, any books or sources you'd care to recommend to get water and your models to look like that?

Thanks,

Marty

Thanks for the kind words Nailz, I was lucky in that the technique for the sea was simplicity itself and cost pennies, only a couple of hours actual work if you don't include the time for things to dry. As I've had so many positive comments on the base I'm going to do a step by step on how I did this and will post the link when it is done.

AWESOME!! I look forward to seeing it!