Flankerman Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 (edited) As I was building the EVA resin kit of the 1940's Upholder - I wondered if I could make a companion model of the 1990's version. I did some research - and found a side profile drawing in a Russian submarine book I had - and Wiki informed me that the beam was 7.2 metres in diamter. I checked in my stash for a suitable donor kit - and discovered that the Hobby Boss kit of the German navy Type 212 had the approx diameter hull - even the bows looked the same - the only problem was the hull length - way too short - and of course the upper decking and bridge (sail, conning tower??) Luckily 7m converts to 20mm in 1/350 scale and I found some 20mm dia plastic knitting needles to use a plug to lengthen the hull. So, here goes........... Type 212 at top - compared to Upholder drawing. Type 212 hull sawn in half - with 20mm dia plastic knitting needle 'plug'. More to follow.... Ken Edited January 5, 2017 by Flankerman spelling 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul E Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 There is something very satisfying about scratch building, and I like where you are going with this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 Some progress. The hull plug in place...... The front hole is where the Type 212's sail has been removed - the rear hole is where the sharply angled 'haunches' have been cut down. A length of square section of plastic bridges the gap - ready for the new decking. Underside view showing the new keel - which still needs the addition of rounded ends...... It's begining to look a bit like HMS Upholder..... Ken 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 Looks very close, nice work. Cheers Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted January 9, 2017 Author Share Posted January 9, 2017 More..... Decking added from thick plastic card - sides from thinner plastic. Time to break out the Milliput..... Ken 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestar12chris Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Looking very good Ken, a 1/350 HMS Upholder is certainly a welcome addition being the RN's last diesel boat. All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudius Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Fantastic!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Great conversion work, I look forward to seeing more! Martian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 More..... Milliput was applied to the bow and stern decking to blend them into the hull - and shaped with a wet finger whilst still pliable. Once dry, it was sanded to shape...... After a wash in warm soapy water to remove any greasy finger marks, the first coat of primer has been applied.... ..... which reveals a couple of minor issues - but overall I'm chuffed with the results. In the meantime, I've glued three rectangles of thick plastic card together - ready to be shaped into the conning tower.... What is it supposed to be called ?? - Sail, Conning Tower - or Bridge ?? Anyone know ??? Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Fin. It's only the Americans who call it a sail; a Conning Tower implies that there's a pressure vessel inside the fin, and the last boat which had one of those was USS Triton. The bridge is the bit on top of the fin where the Officer of the Watch stands while he's driving. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 Thanks Jessica. Fine - Fin it Finally Finishes as. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 2400 class submarines had a five man chamber within the fin for the entry and exit of special forces from the submarine while it was dived, it was also used to gain access the the bridge for the Officer of the Watch and lookouts from within the boat during surface running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 A liitle more progress.... I've used Tamiya tape, cut to shape, to represent the side array sonar panels (if that's what they are(?) - I'm not sure it will be successful - a coat of grey primer will tell..... I've also carved to fin to shape - as well as the upper and lower rudders.... More to follow....... Comments welcome. Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 The side arrays are the Sonar Intercept System Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeR Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Coming along nicely! Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 All primed up........ ..... and ready for its topcoat. You can have any colour - as long as it is black! Ken 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David J Ross Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I am in Barrow, where Upholder was built, and got to see it, and the rest of the class being readied for the Canadians and saw something that made me wonder if they had been fitted with propulsors. I had been passing a part of the shipyard and saw what looked like a propulsor shroud lying on the ground. I wondered if they had been removed because the subs would be too close to American eyes and we did not want the Americans to know secret technical details. HMCS Chicoutimi (ex Upholder) undergoing deperming in Devonshire Dock, Barrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Sneaky little so and so's those 'U' boats. I remember one caning us in an ASWEX. Never seen so many green grenades over a three day period. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 Nearly there........ A spray coat of Halfords Volvo Dark Grey from a rattle can...... All I need do now is apply some water depth marks - followed by a mist coat of satin varnish, then the propeller (from an Airfix Trafalgar) and the masts and she's done.... Ken 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagou Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Excellent Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 Thanks for the kind words Kagou. The finished model is here Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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