Dragon 1/350 USS Chicago SSN-721

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Well, after an extended period where she sat sidelined, for no real good reason at that, I have finally finished this one. This is the Orange box re-issue with the improved sail, stern, and screw (although the VLS arrangement is still inaccurate), that is double boxed with the Ohio Class Boomer USS Maryland. I started this for a “Red Storm Rising” Group Build and wanted to depict her as she would have looked during Clancy’s fictional WWIII, Battle of the Atlantic during her launching of a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile attack on Backfire Bomber airfields near Murmansk in the late 1980s. As described in the novel she had been on patrol for quite some time when the war starts. Instead of the unweathered finish of my last few SSN builds, I decided to depict a well weathered look to reflect an extended war patrol and I used this photo of USS San Francisco for inspiration/reference of marine growth on the hull. I know that the hull markings, numbers, and name would not be worn in wartime, but I wanted something to say who she is…

here is the USS San Francisco I used for my weathering reference

Thanks for looking, comments and critiques welcome

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Very nicely done Stik. I especially like the weathering you did on her.

Steve

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Thanks for looking in and your kind words Steve

4

The weathering on that is superb. Nicely done!

Groot

5

Stik,

Overall, it is a nicely done model. The only issue that I have is that the DSRV markings are not carried on a commissioned submarine. Other than that, it’s a great job as usual!

Bill

6

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Bill, yes I was aware from your previous posts on here on that subject about all the hull markings and what markings are and what are not carried in service and while out on patrol (minimal shall we say?). They just give a bit more color and visual interest to the model. I know that they do not represent an operational boat.

I still have a Flight III 688 Class in my stash and will leave them off of her when I build it.

7

Stik,

I am a Plank Owner on USS Pasadena (SSN 752), a Flight III 688. From what I have seen of all of your boats, I am sure that you will do that model justice! Needless to say that I am very impressed by your work.

Bill

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Thank you Bill! Coming from a submariner such as yourself, who’s “been there & done that”, that really means a lot to me. I have no idea which Flight III boat I will do from the class, but Pasadena sounds like a good choice…

9

That looks great! Did you do all the weathering with just an airbrush?

Chris

10

Stik,

I would be flattered! That boat is near to my heart!

Bill

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Thanks Chris! I did the marine growth on the hull by drybrushing several colors. Some grays and green grays of various types.

Bill, I can understand that completely. I was never a sailor, but certain units and equipment that I served on or with are near and dear to my heart closer than others.

12

Stik,

I also feel that way about my last boat before I retired from the Navy . . . USS Maine (SSBN741)(Blue). We earned a Presidential Unit Citation for our Outstanding performances on Tactical Readiness Evaluation, Operational Reactor Safeguards Exam, Nuclear Weapons Acceptance Inspection, Medical Readiness Inspection, and Supply Readiness Inspection. We came in from the TRE manning the sides, which is highly unusual for submarines, but so was the Outstanding on TRE, as well as the PUC. We actually hung a broom from our attack Periscope indicating a “Clean Sweep” of all of our exams and inspections. It was special. And, it was a great sendoff for my retirement! I miss the boats, but my best was my last.

Bill