billn53 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 My local modeling group (Mad City Modelers, in Madison Wisconsin) is having a group build this month, the theme is "Inclement Weather". As a former submariner, I've always wanted to do a diorama of a sub surfaced in the Arctic, and now I have a good excuse! Here are a couple of photos for reference: T The sub in the above pics is USS Trepang (SSN-674), a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, and were taken during her trip to the North Pole in ICEX-85. I started with MikroMir's 1/350 kit of USS Sturgeon (SSN-637): I've never tried anything like this before, so my results are mixed and I'd do some things differently if I were to do it over again. Overall, though, I'm satisfied. You be the judge: This was a quick-and-dirty project, and I didn't post a WIP. So, I'll briefly show some build highlights here: I began by cutting a recess in a block of foam for the upper hull half: I painted the hull with Mr Surfacer rattlecan black, and fixed it in place using AK Interactive Resin Water. I tinted the resin blue with a few drops of enamel paint. In retrospect, I should have gone with white instead: For the ice, I cast a thin (about 2-mm) sheet of white-tinted AK Interactive Resin Ice: Only the sub's sail (a.k.a. fin, a.k.a. conning tower) will show above the ice. I assembled and painted the sail separately, to be added after the ice is in place. I used just nine parts from the kit in total, seven of those were for the sail. Note that I added pins to firmly secure the fairwater diving planes. I also added pins for the periscope and radio masts (not shown): I carefully lowered the resin ice over the mounted hull. I found the resin to be a strange mix of being brittle, yet flexible. I used a small hammer to carefully break the ice over the hull. Loose pieces were fixed in place using clear silicone adhesive and CA. I also had to cut openings for the sail and rudder. Once the ice was in place, I added a layer of generic, model railroad snow which I fixed in place with hairspray. Finally, I added the sail assembly: And, there you have it. Not bad for a week's effort! And, if you've gotten this far, here is a nice video for your entertainment! Thanks for viewing! - Bill ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p.s. - My other submarine builds: 52 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Love it Bill, this is a very good result ! Especially given the time frame you build it.. cheers, Jan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 4 minutes ago, janneman36 said: Love it Bill, this is a very good result ! Especially given the time frame you build it.. cheers, Jan Maybe the cold weather we're having here in Wisconsin (-5F, or -20C this morning) gave me extra motivation! 🤪 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I think that's brilliant. It was an adventurous way to do it too, a great story and a great model. Marvellous stuff! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 That's a quality build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazy Modeller Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 3 hours ago, billn53 said: model railroad snow which I fixed in place with hairspray Very nice and clever Build! I have one doubt...does the snow stay fixed with the hairspray, I'm saying so because if it get humidity....Thanks Cheers LM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 What a fantastic dio.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 30 minutes ago, Lazy Modeller said: does the snow stay fixed with the hairspray, I'm saying so because if it get humidity....Thanks Cheers LM Once the spray is dry, I blow off any loose snow and re-apply if needed. Repeat until satisfied. I've used this technique before and haven't had any issues with the snow becoming loose. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazy Modeller Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 9 minutes ago, billn53 said: I've used this technique before and haven't had any issues with the snow becoming loose. Thanks for the tip...I was wandering that with humidity/water the hairspray dissolves. Glad I'm wrong. Cheers LM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 That's excellent! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewolf Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 This is exceptional!! I've never used any of the AK products let alone achieved a stunning diorama like this! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adm Lord De Univers Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I think this is quite stunning. My only input would be to express concern for those standing ontop of the broken ice, but then I watched the video... Oh and thank you in advance - I shall be 'borrowing' heavily from this! David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 That's excellent, totally convincing. Good use of some unusual methods and resources 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 That is thoroughly first rate - The figures really set it off, beautifully executed Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 1 hour ago, Adm Lord De Univers said: I think this is quite stunning. My only input would be to express concern for those standing ontop of the broken ice, but then I watched the video... Oh and thank you in advance - I shall be 'borrowing' heavily from this! David I'd love to see what you do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcello Rosa Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Congratulations on a unique build. Very convincing, and useful to know about how to achieve the snow effects. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-3s rule Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Wow, great work there. Most inspirational! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Nice idea for a build Bill & really nicely executed. 👍 Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Fantastic work Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-boat 55 Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Very very impressive 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 A sublime little scene. Very impressive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus Tura Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 (edited) On 1/7/2022 at 9:20 PM, Adm Lord De Univers said: Oh and thank you in advance - I shall be 'borrowing' heavily from this! David That is just brilliant! I'm feeling a bit chilly looking at it. I need some "water" and am very glad to see your use of these products. Alan Edited January 10, 2022 by Angus Tura Mess up 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRMRL Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Dare I say that this is really cool? When I saw the reference picture I was worried it might be a bit boring, but the way you have the whole sub just starting to be visible, it's makes it a really interesting piece. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 1 hour ago, MRMRL said: Dare I say that this is really cool? When I saw the reference picture I was worried it might be a bit boring, but the way you have the whole sub just starting to be visible, it's makes it a really interesting piece. A totally serendipitous result, not at all how I was expecting it to turn out! But, now I’ll claim it’s the result of my masterful modeling skills 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRMRL Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 16 hours ago, billn53 said: A totally serendipitous result, not at all how I was expecting it to turn out! But, now I’ll claim it’s the result of my masterful modeling skills 🤣 I've had this kind of outcome once or twice, not on something this cool though (like the first time I tried to do panel lines worked but I don't know how, took a long time after to suss properly) - I won't tell if you don't 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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