I started this kit quite some time ago but stalled out. The past week or so I knuckled down and completed it. It is no contest quality build on my part but it does look good on my shelf and adds another SSN to my collection. I replaced the kit screw with the older style screw that came as an alternate with the Airfix HMS Torbay (Trafalgar) kit. I also scribed in some torpedo tube doors on the bow.
I like the shading, though Manny might say it needs more rust…[whstl]
I’m not up to speed on modern navy ships ( last 50 years ), but ya made an old kit look very good.
LOL! They really do need a ‘stirring the pot’ emoticon here… Thank you Spruce. The Skipjack Class are interesting boats from what I have read. The first to combine the teardrop hull with nuclear propulsion. The shading is mainly varied levels of Humbrol Flat Clear. I am still trying to get a feel for weathering on ships…[*-)]
I like it .and Manny would say it needs more rust and a crew of cats did it cost 229.[whstl]
i realy like it nice pics[Y]
Ron
Hey , stikpusher, NICE JOB . The weathering is okay, you just have to remember that MANNY,S sub types were so slow in comparison you could watch the rust form . I like the faint fading and I have to ask did you get your weathering idea from the article in F.S.M. on dot filters and weathering. Bottom Line , darn good looking “ATTACK” boat. I used to build subs until they came up with this design. Not a whole lot to look at .So , the builder has to really show his talents , YOU DID !! tankerbuilder
Thanks Tanker! The weathering was sort of an experiment as I went. I was not overly pleased with using Pro Modeler wash on my last couple sub builds and decided to use a wash instead. I first did a pin wash of Burnt Umber on all rased and recessed details. Once I removed most of the pin wash, I sealed it up with a coat of Humbrol Matt Clear. Since I had plenty left in the jar I decided to put heavier application sprayed verticaly between the lines to give added contrast and give the appearance it has. No dort filters or anything like that. I have yet to try that on any builds. Yeah there is not much to look at on these teardrop nuke Attack boats, but they do have a space age charm of their own…[:)]
Stik,
Nice building technique . . . the only real flaw is that it is far too gray. Your paint job is nicely done; it just isn’t authentic. U.S nuclear submarines are black. Some lower hulls are painted red; some are not. But they are not gray. In fact, that is true of virtually all submarines of all nations operating them since the 1950’s.
I do like what you have done with the masts and antennas.
Bill Morrison
Bill, beleive it or not, that is a black base color. Polly Scale “Scale Black” which is best described as a dull faded black. Between the camera flash and the weathering it looks much lighter than it is to the neked eye under most lighting conditions.
Stik,
I stand corrected! Technology can be a wonderful thing; it can also let us down all to frequently.
One thing that might add a little realism . . . submarine masts and antennas were often painted a light sea green instead of silver or bare metal on the tubes that extended above the camouflage sections. It would also add a little color.
For future reference when scribing torpedo tube doors . . . these are usually located 'midships instead of on the bow. The bow contains the sonar dome, although I can’t be too sure about the Skipjack class SSN, never having served on one.
One other color note . . . I have noticed that submarines today don’t paint their masts in the camouflage scheme anymore. The boats I have seen in Groton paint theirs a dull black or dark gray. I do prefer the old style!
Bill Morrison
Well I think I will try the Sea Foam Green on the uppers on my next attack boat, USS Chicago. I like the sound of it. Thank you for the suggestion. What is a good match for that color? Something along the lines of Sky or IAF Light Green perhaps? I will be building her as marked here. I have teh new Dragon Orange box issue ready to go in my stash.
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Stik,
I have used IAF Light Green on my boats. It looks about right. Your upcoming Chicago build sounds intrigueing!
Bill
Thanks. Can you expalin the two tone on the upper hull of Chicago in the above pic?
Stik,
It could be a fresh coat of touch-up paint or it could simply be wet.
Bill