Hello all, This my first post (after my introduction post) and I just wanted to show you my latest work. I wanted to start modeling action scenes with 1/700 waterline ships in the water, but didn’t want to ruin a nice waterline kit. Sooo I decided to try out my first water attempt with a less expensive subject. What do you think? My wife and friends say they love it but they are slightly partial. I hope this photo downloading thing worked. If not, I’ll try again. Steve 
Here’s some more.
(http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/modelcrazy12/media/20140807_194629_zpsb629889b.jpg.html)]
(http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/modelcrazy12/media/20140807_194644_zps55314f8b.jpg.html)]
Steve,
Very nicely done and the downloading worked fine.
Steve
modelcrazy this is a real treat. =] The water looks fantastic. I’m sure I speak for a lot of others when I ask to hear more about how you went about creating this delightful diorama. Also, what did you think about the Airfix build?
That is an outstanding work of art! The water looks very realistic! Nice job, sir.
I think you mean 1/72 scale? Either way, Glencoe makes a great, simple, 48th kit. Retractable gear too!
I’ve noticed an Airfix kit of that subject advertised lately. Anyone know if that is a repop of an old mold, or is that one of the new high tech kits?
Stunning build. I love the water/action shot. Man, I need to look into that on some of the sea planes similar to what you’ve done there. Fantastic.!
Wow, sorry about that. It is a 1/72, not 1/48 scale. Ill sit down tonight and explain how I made the water. You won’t believe how easy it was. The Airfix build wad decent, with two complaints. 1 The pilot and observer are too tall for the canopy. … required some modification. 2 The decals were too thick and Airfix only gave two version’s. Alaska SAR and Argentinean navy. Again had to improvise. But that’s what we do that makes this so much fun. Steve
Fabulous water dio ! You must tell us how you did it .
Don Stauffer, it’s a repop
Very nice job!
Mike
That’s a great dio, you really captured the waves very nicely
Dittos on the water work; it looks fantastic. Also enjoyed seeing your tank in the armor forum, and if I haven’t said it, welcome to the gang!
Hello all, Some of you have asked how I made the water for my 1/72 scale Grumman Duck. Since I wasn’t a member of this forum and didn’t expect to post it when I built it, I don’t have pictures of the build. I will do my best to explain the procedure, although a picture is worth a thousand words. The base is made from a 6x8 picture frame I bought from the local dollar store. I just removed the generic insert and left the glass and backing. I reasoned, placing the diorama in a picture frame would allow me to hang it on the wall one day (no more room in the house). The water base is made from a square green foam piece that I got at the craft store (I also purchased the Acrylic medium at the same time). After gluing the foam to the frame glass, I shaped it with whatever tool I thought would work. I dug out troughs for the wake and the surrounding chop. I also hollowed out an area for the planes float. I applied copious amounts of Golden Medium Acrylic Gel (transparent/gloss). Using an inexpensive 1” brush I purchased at the local hardware store, I applied two coats to cover the foam board texture and shape the waves, letting the gel to dry between coats (around 24 hours). I painted the whole base with blue spray paint and the wave churn/wake with turquoise to simulate the churned water under the waves. I used a wet on wet technique to help mix the colors. More to come. 
For the sea foam I used a cotton ball and pulled small amounts off like a spider web and applied them to the wave crests and troughs with the acrylic gel. I shaped the cotton to the desired effect and let dry. After drying, I applied more gel to the cotton to cut down on the “fiber look” and to simulate the appearance of water. At this point things turned rotten. I tried to increase the glossy look by spraying gloss paint on the water foam/churn. This turned the cotton to a yellowish shade. I airbrushed an acrylic white (flat) on the cotton and tried again. I had to apply gloss because of the flat white. Vicious circle. This occurred 3 times trying different sprays, each time turning the cotton yellow. In frustration I turned to the internet for several evenings of research. The answer came by using Liquitex Pouring Medium mixed with water, around a 2 to 1 ratio, water to medium. This airbrushed on like paint, dried glossy and clear and most importantly, didn’t turn the cotton yellow. As it turn out, spraying the cotton white to remove the yellowing looked good in the end anyway. I set the plane in it’s hollowed out area and glued it down with Golden Heavy Acrylic Gel, forming an area of splash. The spray was made using the same cotton technique as before, I just used more this time. I attached the cotton to the base with the Heavy gel. Once the gel was tacky, I pulled the cotton to the desired form with a sharp tool and sprayed the cotton and parts of the model with the pouring medium/water mixture. The medium on the model creates a glossy effect and resembles the wetness from water. The cotton does lay down a bit with this process, but I just reapplied more cotton and repeated until I had the desired effect. Spraying selective areas of the plane with the glue mixture resulted in a glossy/wet appearance. This concludes the acrylic water technique. The gel can be a little pricy, but I found some that was on sell, and I actually used very little. I used Golden because of the sell price, any manufacturer would work, just make sure it’s rated transparent and glossy. Try it yourself, it’s very easy.
=] Can’t wait to try it!