Flankerman Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Another new addition to the slipway - the Mikro-Mir injection-moulded kit of the experimental submarine USS Albacore... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Albacore_(AGSS-569) Box art.... Instructions..... The hull is split horizontally - with excellent engraved detail..... A second sprue contains the conning tower and dive planes etc... The package is finished off with a small decal sheet, etched brass propellers and a clear 'windscreen'.... This is another very welcome kit from Mikro-Mir's growing range of 1/350 scale subs. Having already built the Blue Ridge resin kit of the Albacore :- http://www.flankers-site.co.uk/model_submarines_350_scale.html#USS_Albacore_AGSS-569 I may try and 'convert' the Mikro-Mir kit into an earlier configuration with vertical rudders and horizontal dive planes - as shown in the first drawing here.... Ken 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 18 hours ago, Flankerman said: I may try and 'convert' the Mikro-Mir kit into an earlier configuration with vertical rudders and horizontal dive planes - as shown in the first drawing here.... Should be no trouble for you Ken, you've taken on more complicated stuff. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted May 17, 2020 Author Share Posted May 17, 2020 Inspired by Chris's red U-2501 :- I thought I'd make the Mikro-Mir USS Albacore in an orange colour scheme ... text and image here :- http://www.ussalbacore.org/html/shipmates/remember/fj_orange_submarine.html The text says that it was painted in orange primer by the crew whilst in port (but not in Dry Dock?). Does that mean it would only be painted orange down to the waterline? And... I'm assuming it would have had the + shaped rear dive planes (the second configuration in the side views above) - rather than the cruciform X shape and complex contra propeller in the MM kit ?? (the last side profile). What's the collective opinion ?? Any input appreciated... Ken 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestar12chris Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 Hi Ken, having read the description id agree its just the top side in orange. enlarged photo on Navsource, definitely vertical tail plane. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted May 17, 2020 Author Share Posted May 17, 2020 Thanks Chris - good spot on the vertical rudder - I think I now have enough to go on........ What do you think the patch is on the leading edge of the sail ?? It looks like some kind of masking - with yellow & black edges - maybe to cover a sensor during re-paint??? Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestar12chris Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 I would agree Ken, having looked at Navsource photos, there is a sensor in this area. I would leave this area flat black. All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 Making a start.... the upper and lower hulls are cemented together - with the join filled and sanded down. Note the filled-in holes for the X-shaped rear dive planes.... Mikro-Mir's model is of a later version - with a moveable 'rudder' at the rear of the saill...... As I am building an earlier version, the rudder was cemented in place..... ... and blended in with filler....... Ken 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 All assembled and ready for a coat of primer...... The early variant had + shaped rear dive planes - so I used the kit-supplied X planes cut down to size and mounted appropriately. I decided to use Halfords White Plastic Primer instead of my normal grey as a better base for the topside orange..... Ken 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Nice work, @Flankerman ! Thought this pic I took of Albacore at Portsmouth, NH, in February 2019 may be of interest/use. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 Thanks for the photo GMK Those X-shaped rear diving planes are as fitted at the end of her career - I've done the Blue Ridge resin kit in that configuration... http://www.flankers-site.co.uk/model_submarines_USA.html#USS_Albacore_AGSS-569 I'm doing the Mikro-Mir injection-moulded kit in her earlier layout - with + shaped diving planes and different propeller I'm going to paint her orange as in Chris's photo above. Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 She's painted..... As she was painted in primer orange whilst afloat - I assume only the hull above the waterline would have been painted...... and.... I'm guessing that the pennant numbers and other deck markings weren't re-applied until after the topsides were re-painted black? Thoughts anyone???? This is what I'm trying to re-create...... Comments - and links to any other images - welcome. Ken 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 My guess is some form of temporary Hull number and I.D. Maybe with a stencil and spray gun maybe with brush in black. I would think they would still need to have some way of identification for deliveries of material, men, & supplies to the work crew and any Navy personnel having to find the vessel and confirm its the correct vessel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 Wouldn't they just be directed to "The orange one at pier 6 - you can't miss it"........ Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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