Si,

Looking good. Was always interested in what was in the box. Looks like it will go together quickly.

Following with interest.

Dave

I think it will go together quickly,

The trick is going to be getting the subtle weathering of a nearly new craft just right.

Si

Si,
Looking good, I was always interested in one of those 1/72 kits since the are small and good for shelf.


Here is the main cabin completed.
I have looked for a few 1/144 figures to make into sailors for it and so far it looks like I will need to trim some down and resize from model RR 1/100.

Here some images:

Thanks Jeff,

Interior for the Nautilus is coming on very nicely indeed.

Si

Hi Jeff,
Really like that Nautilus. You mentioned looking for 1/144 scale sailors. Take a look at Scalemates.com. They have several 3D printed sets in routine action and combat poses that may work for you. There are 30 figures per box, all different poses. I picked up a set for a future build of a US gunboat and I really like them. Hope it helps.
John

Thanks John,
I have found some figures on an older sailing ship I have and never built that are 12mm which I think I will modify and paint for this kit.

Thant Being said, I have a Trumpeter 1/144 Gato that I am now going to use the 3D printed figures on Shapeways by Holden8702. I am still debating on the US sailors in dungaree or US Navy Carrier deck 3. The carrier deck set would provide me both sailors in various versions of dungaree and Battle dress and enabling me to do a in action build diorama.
The figures look rather nice.

Thanks again
Jeff D

Small progress today.

the control rods for the diving planes and rudder in place.





Si

Jeff, your Nautilus is pretty cool. Nice work on the home made PE.

Si, coming along nicely. Its good to see how that kit comes together. Looking forward to seeing more.

Dave

Thanks Dave,

she is coming on, it is a nice kit. It may have one or issues with accuracy, bit so far it looks the part.

Cheers.

Si

Si,
Looking really good so far on the build.....

Here is where I am at now.
I did not want to wait for specific 1/144 figures to come in so I decide I would take 1/100 scale and modify them.
I cut the Legs and arms off, then shortened the body and shortened the limbs and position them how I wanted. and reattached I left the heads pretty much as is but sanded the top and back down to make them a bit smaller.

I have never painted figures this small before and it really kind of sucked....... especially since some of the figures had not real facial features molded in.
I used the Best 2 for Nemo and a member link Kirk Douglas.
The others I just positioned a round.
The one on the couch will be pointing at part of the squid while the guy behind him leans in to look.

Jeff,
Very well done with the figures. Really tells the story.

Thanks Jeff,

Work on the figures is great, they look very effective.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Cheers

Si

Now that I am not consumed by school, and I was able to catch up on my DVR’ed Doctor Who there was finally a bit of work done on the sub. This thing is tiny. The PE rails, 40mm and 20mm will be a pain when I finally get to that point.

Beautiful salon work, Jeff.

And the X-Craft looks like a handsome kit, Si. How's the fit been overall?

The Gato in 1/700 does look challenging, Dan. I had to get my Gato's in 1/72 and 1/180.

Hi Jeff,

What Michael said about the saloon, you have achieved rela depth with that.

Hi Michael,

The fit is very good indeed, no filler needed at all. My only real disappointment with the kit is that the casing and the pressure hull are not moulded separately. More on that further down this update.

The hatches, each is made of six plastic and one etched. One assembled and the parts for the other, except for the etched handle all cleaned up ready for assembly. Simple and look accurate.



The hatches fitted, this is one place where the casing being a separate moulding would really lift the kit. There should be a visible gap between the hatches and the casing.



More detail around the hull.



The induction and exhaust pipes of the engine and periscopes fitted.



That is the craft assembled, except for the propeller. Just the side cargos to assemble and then some painting.

Si

Not a ton of work done but a little headway made. The base is assembled, I still need to dig the hole out a bit more before the scenery can be applied. Some PE attached to the conning tower, next will prime and pain before affixing the railings and guns and setting the tower aside. Then on to the hull.

Nice work Daniel.

Construction almost done.

Side cargoes built,



and test fitted in place.



paint job next, and that is going to be fun.

Si

The base is coming along well enough and I have all the parts primed. Tomorrow will see the first color applied and an attempt at getting the conning tower complete. While it may not be apparent in the picture, the prop guards were a royal pain in the butt and only barely avoided being discarded.

I am at about the 95% mark but she may go into rest for several months. School starts next week and being my last semester in grad school it is sure to suck all the life out of me, or at least any minutes previously dedicated to models. Anyway, all that is left is touch up paintwork and clear coat. I also would like to add some 1/700 figures to give it some scale and add some life to the display. I am not too happy with how the PE rails turned out, especially those on the aft access ramp. However, considering this was my first venture into PE on 1/700 scale I am not too disappointed either. Better next time.
Here is the USS Batfish as on display in Muskogee OK.

Very neat display and nice ground work, Daniel (not something you say too much in a ship building campaign).

Hi Daniel,

What Michael said.

Did get a bit of priming done in the breaks in the rain.



Yes there is a reason the hull is primed red and the side cargoes, and no it isn't cos I had run out of one of them! The plan, I hope, is when I spray them with the top coat, the side cargoes will be slightly darker and look newer, as the live ones only went in the water for the operation.

Si

Daniel

Wow! the work on the tiny sub looks great...
The patients for that small of PE really pays off.

And others have said the display looks very nice.

Ahoy Shipmates

Daniel lovely work I like the base and setting.

Simon really nice work yet again well done thus far.

Cheers


Sean

Love the gallery for the Nautilus and the X sub looks like one I will have to purchase.
We are into the new year and the I-19 is reaching the top of the build list. I'm also adding the AFV upgrade kit that comprises a photo etched sheet and a wooden deck.



The kit comes with the small (upper) etched sheet but the upgrade kit adds more etch and refines some of what comes with the kit.

I have finished painting the hull and just set the wooden deck and conning tower in place. As an armour modeller I would normally gloss coat the hull with Future, apply an oil wash to add some depth to the finish and then dull coat to bring the finish back to a flat or semi-gloss sheen. The question that I have for the ship modellers is can I gloss, flatten the wooden deck without ruining it? I could leave the deck off until later in the build but that would be more work and I would have trouble getting the same sheen on all the parts

Cam,

Nice work on your I19. What color grey did you use for the upper hill?

I am building the I19 for the Guadalcanal campaign. Will be following with interest.

Regarding the wooden deck, there is no issue with coating it with gloss finishi g the wooden deck, matter of fact it is encouraged to protect the decking.

Daniel, Great work on the Gato. I love the dio concept you developed.

So your X-craft looks great. Can't wait to see the top coat applied.

Jeff, your Nautilus is incredible. Looking forward to seeing how it all goes together.

Dave