I usually build aircraft, but the occasional AFV sneaks bye. But a submarine? Well when I found ICMs kit of a Type XXIII in 1:144 scale for a bargain I had to pick it up.

After all, I built plenty of planes in this scale, so having this on the same glass shelf would be fun!

The kit is quite nice, but there is probably room for many improvements. If I ever build it again I would at least make a more convincing ladder! But this would be OOB.



The decals are very easily destroyed, so I made a flag out of a scrap piece of Revell-decal, and then added the kit decals and trimmed it. The swastikas was from a Kopro AM set of decals in 1:144 (many plane kits also come sans swastikas.)

I painted the kit with Citadel paints, and opted to follow the suggested "white" for the band on the sail signifying a boat in training. (I've also seen sources claiming it to have been yellow.)



The fun part was off course weathering. After all this was the chaotic last months of the war, and the official rules for painting and maintenance was not adhered to, paints was of poor quality, and the Norwegian winter is harsh!

U-2322 was one of only 6 Type XXIIIs to go on patrol before the VE-Day, and one of only 3 who managed two patrols. U-2322s home port was Horten, where my parents live actually. It sunk only one ship, the 1300 ton coastal cruiser SS Egholm off the East coast of Scotland on February 25. 1945.



U-2322 was turned over to the allies at the end of the war and was sunk as part of Operation Deadlight on november 27. 1945.


Thank you for having a look!

Very good Eirik !! Congratulations

Cheers Daniel

Hi Eirik,

Looks great, Weathering is very effective, what methods did you use?

Si

First I gave it a diluted wash of black to bring out the holes and recesses around the hatches. I theused some streaks of the base color mixed with white, and also used the same mix for a bit of drybrushing. This gave the faded and somewhat bloatchy look of the paint. For the rust I used umbral brown, red, a mix of red+black (any dark brick red would do) and dark yellow. In all cases acrylic with no thinning. I disposed a small quantity in recesses and then carefully streaked it out with a small flat brush, making sure the streaks followed what would be the natural flow of water.

I might have overdone it on some sections, but the main thing is that it looks a bit random, but still consectrated on areas where water would collect when sitting at the dockside. I also didn't use the rust colors in the same order at all locations (as some painting guides suggest.) Instead I sometimes used the lighter color before the darker, other places the other way around. I think that looks more natural, and gives you better control of the overall effect.

Looks great, Erik.

Build any planes with floats, by chance?

Not recently no, I built a couple of seaplanes in my "first career" as a kitbuilder back in the 80's. But I used to play Warhammer and WH40K so I learnt my distressing techniques with acrylics there. Now a days I still build some tanks and softskins in 1:48 so I get to use it there. Naval subjects on the other hand was a new experience. But 1:144 is a "cute" scale for planes and not to massive for smaller naval subject. (Small appartment, limited shelf space for displaying.. )

Ahoy Erik

Nice work on your first submarine.

I like the weathering.

I think you need to build another one asap!

Cheers



Sean

Eirik,

Nice sub!... and seeing that this is your first..well 3 posts now on MSW.

Welcome to the WET SIDE OF THINGS!

Cheers,
Joe

Oh I think it won't be my last, but with 30+ kits in the stash all ready I think I'll "build up" some more before I do a new shopping spree