1/35 Schnellboot S-38 & harbor scene

[2Step]

Hi everyone, I never have done WIP reports, mostly because a) I don't have the time in between modelling to take pictures and b) I don't want any pictures of my work bench, too much of a mess

 

But, as it probably takes me some time to build the Schnellboot and everything around, I thought I share some of the stuff, while I am doing it. It did build a little diorama like background, but I am not sure yet if there will also be water (gets too big alltogether, I am not sure I want to hide the below waterline part of the kit and not sure if I could pull of such a large body of water). That will be decided at a later state....

 

So a started with a small bit of a pier and a building. Most is scratchbuild (including the birds nest and bird und the roof to the right and the seagull on the dolphin) out of card board, wood, plastic profiles, metal and PVC foam boards (is that the right name in English??). The street light to the left is Tamiya.

 

 

 

 

(The board that the pier is sitting on is only for the photos)

 

Cheers

 

Oh, I forgot to mention that I tried to make the building as it could be standing anywhere in the world. However, right now I am thinking of a boat from the 1st flotilla in the Black Sea. Reason: I don't like the crew members you can buy. I want a "crew at rest" (well, at least "in harbor"), so I decided to use available kits in khaki/DAK outfits. Pictures from the Black Sea show crews to be wearing those (at least in summer).

 

Edited December 29, 2023 by 2Step
added remark

[2Step]

Next I added a crane. It's scratch build using the turret of a 1/48 KV1 tank and parts of an old V2 Meilerwagen from Revell from the '70s (I belive it was 1/69 or so ) and some other odds and ends ....

 

 

 

Cheers

 

 

[2Step]

First "swimming" additions: some barges. The bigger one is a 1(87 scale freighter from my late fathers train set, crane is scratch built, some kit bashing parts ...

The two smaller ones are pontoons from Airfix' pontoon bridge, also from the '70s. I am not sure yet if and for what to use them in the final display, b ut for now the stay.

 

(The '70s was more ore less the last time a build something in 1/35, so there will be some sort of "upcycling" in this build 😁)

 

 

 

 

Cheers

[2Step]

First parts of the actual Schnellboot. Two torpedoes (one as a training version), just to see how they build. The current plan is to have two trops on the cradles, one cradle empty, one torp cut into two pieces: 1) in the process of being loaded into a tube; 2) one open tube front hatch, showing the tip of the torpedo. That plan might chnage at a later date.

 

Also, three depth charges from the kit. The holder is preliminary. I might replace one depth charge rack with two mines.

 

 

Cheers

[2Step]

And here are the mines. It's the AFV version. Yes, I read that the circumference is supposed to be way too small (I didn't measure myself). However, as I don't really like to build in resin, this was my only alternative. I personally think the overall impression is OK. I also used black instead of dark grey - I think it makes the more menacing.

 

(If you don't like these digressions from the real history, better don't keep reading... I might do this more often, sorry)

 

 

Cheers

[Bertie McBoatface]

This has the makings of something extraordinarily good. I love the scratchbuilding and your entire creative approach. Digressions from the real thing are simply artistic licence. I look forward to seeing this develop.

 

I suggest putting more information in the title to attract viewers to this visual feast. 

[2Step]

1 hour ago, Bertie McBoatface said:

This has the makings of something extraordinarily good. I love the scratchbuilding and your entire creative approach. Digressions from the real thing are simply artistic licence. I look forward to seeing this develop.

 

I suggest putting more information in the title to attract viewers to this visual feast. 

Thanks Bertie for the praise ... actually pretty much to my surprise, things so far have turned out nearly as I wanted them. I am starting to get panicky about building the actual boat

 

I seem not to be able to change the title of the thread. I adjusted the tags a bit.

 

Cheers

[2Step]

More bang for the build. I painted the 40mm ammunition. The clips come with the kit. The other ones are brass 1/48 scale I had lying around. Compared to a real 40mm cartridge I have at home, the seemed in scale for 1/35. Compared to the kit, they are obviously to large ... too bad.

I choose the HE, tracer, self destruct variant to be loaded for the next sortie.

 

 

Cheers

[2Step]

With all the hardware sitting on the jetty, some guard detail is required.

 

These are from a Tamiya "German observation group" that I build about45 years ago. They got re"posed" and freshly painted. Of course they don't really match the future boat crew who will be far more relaxed in Khaki ... We will see how that works out. At least I was able to start on some personnel without buying stuff or waiting for Xmas.

 

 

And while we're at it. The harbor master is there to make sure all things run smoothly when the boat arrives. The figures and the bike are from an Italeri Schwimmwagen kit (Luftwaffe officer & para), slighty "maritimized". Kit is as old as the Soldaten above.

The guy in overall might be ending up as crane operator.

 

 

Cheers

[Jerry L]

Fantastic work!! Pulling up a chair and waiting for the next installment.

[Dmitriy1967]

I do not know what the future boat will be, but what I see now makes me excited. Every detail is made with such precision and a sense of tact. Everything is done, painted and weathered exactly as it should be, as you expect from real things, no more, no less.

I will be watching with interest.

[Tim Reynaga]

Good thing there is tight security... there is a LOT of ordnance lying around on that dock! 😲

[Bertie McBoatface]

2 hours ago, 2Step said:

Compared to a real 40mm cartridge I have at home, the seemed in scale for 1/35. Compared to the kit, they are obviously to large ... too bad.

it would not be the first time that the wrong ammunition was delivered

 

 

[Bertie McBoatface]

2 hours ago, 2Step said:

 

I seem not to be able to change the title of the thread. I adjusted the tags a bit.

 

To change your title click and hold on it for three seconds or so. Suddenly it will transform into an edit box.

 

This works on a PC but I haven't yet discovered how to do it on a phone. Anyone have a clue?

[2Step]

Thanks everybody for their positive remarks, it's appreciated...

@ Bertie: thanks, it worked (marvel of technology)

 

Just to make it clear: everything on this jetty is provisional and some of the stuff will move to the boat when it is actually done. And all installments so far were build in the past, while waiting for Santa to deliver the big box with the Schnellboot

 

I have a few more details in work (Miniart milkbottles and vegetables), as well as the actual crew, who so far consist of the Tamiya crew for the 8,8 flak and the Miniart DAK tank crew who both don't know yet that they get a transfer - you might say upgrade - to the Navy. (side note: even the two Tamiya figure sets are not exactly the same size, the 8,8 personnel looks like teenagers compared to the observation personnel, huh). And a kit in itself, the Miniart Tempo 3-wheeler, which will deliver all the goodies. Also maybe not historically correct, but I love that little vehicle and it could as well serve a little backwater port after being pressed into service. There were Wehrmacht versions and I actually have seen a picture of one (civilian version) operating in Egypt. So, again, good enough for me.

 

So, future installments will come with more of a time gap between

 

Cheers

[Bertie McBoatface]

1 hour ago, 2Step said:

@ Bertie

 When you do the @member thing, find the person you want to send a 'mention' notification to on the pull down and click them. Their name comes up in a blue cartouche and they get a notification.

 

@2Step 

 

It took me ages to figure these things out. Ha.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I've never thought of working on the diorama base before doing the model. It might have interesting randomising effects. In real life the jetty was there before the boat so it maybe shouldn't be a perfect fit between the bollards - and so on.

 

Loving the thread!  

[ArnoldAmbrose]

19 hours ago, 2Step said:

I don't want any pictures of my work bench, too much of a mess

Gidday, a tidy work bench is unnatural and is the sign of a sick mind. There SHOULD be mess. 😁

This looks like an interesting project.

 

11 hours ago, Bertie McBoatface said:

It might have interesting randomising effects. In real life the jetty was there before the boat so it maybe shouldn't be a perfect fit between the bollards - and so on.

I think that is a very valid point. While in a naval battle the enemy would probably be a faceless entity, in real life they were mostly just like us, just as neat and tidy, and just as sloppy and casual, regardless of which side each of us was on.

 

Yes, this is shaping up to be an interesting project.       Regards, Jeff.

[Bertie McBoatface]

2 minutes ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

There SHOULD be mess.

of a controlled kind. 😉

[2Step]

The jetty being build before the boat was less owed to realism, but to the fact that I didn't have the boat yet, but wanted to start (and scratch building buildings is a relative new thing to me, so I was pretty eager). Biggest design factors were: it has to fit on the shelve it will end up on and it should be shorter than the lenght of the boat so both sides of the Schnellboat are (partially) visible.

But you are correct that it randomizes a few things, e.g. I added the dolphin, so they have something to fasten their forelines to. (It will be further out then on the current pictures)

 

If I talk of a mess on the bench, I am talking of such a bad mess, I wont find tools right away. So: definetely NO pics!

 

And, sorry, I haven't found the @member thing Bertie mentioned? I do appreciate all the help to use the forum more effectively - keep it coming!

[2Step]

Ok, supplies are starting to pour in ....

 

Calcium and protein the milkbottle, -can and crate set from Miniart, included in the Tempo A400 kit, the chicken and eggs are from Tamiya's farm animal set (I still got some geese and dead rabbit that I didn't use in the last 45 years, we'll see). Chicken coop is scratch.

 

 

Vegetables are important for the sailor (I don't have to tell the Limeys - SORRY no offense intended )

Veggies and crates rom Miniart vegetable set. The hay bail is from a toy and just there for the presentation.

The live pig is from Pegasus 1/48 farm animals and just on loan from my 1/48 airfield. As I don't belive the crew included a butcher, it wont stay (raises the question of course: what will they do with the chickens???)

 

Before this looks more 4H than WWII, of course also some POL are present. Jerry cans etc from Tamiya's field workshop, crates scratchbuild, the oil drum is from a toy car - not sure if it will make it into the final round....

 

 

Cheers

Edited December 30, 2023 by 2Step
added detail, typo

[ArnoldAmbrose]

5 minutes ago, 2Step said:

And, sorry, I haven't found the @member thing Bertie mentioned? I do appreciate all the help to use the forum more effectively - keep it coming!

Gidday, maybe explained another way.

 

If you want to get someone's attention you can quote a little bit of their text. Simply highlight a bit by click and drag across the text. A white "quote" box appears and then click on it.

 

Another way is to include their name in a black oval in your text. To do that type @ and immediately start typing their name. A number of similar names will appear in a white drop-down box. When you see the name you want simply click on it and it should appear in your text like so @2Step and that person with receive a notice that you've mentioned them. HTH. Regards, Jeff.

[2Step]

Before the crew arrives, everything is ready to welcome them with a German Navy tradition: Seemannssontag (seamans sunday), which means that coffeé and cake are served every Thursday afternoon. It's a nice tradition, of course not as nice as a daily "tot". At least there was sofar no black cake day

 

The jug is also 1/48, mugs are from a civil war Union soldier (ICM, I believe - also some decades in the past), other little pieces from HO railway

 

 

But also the navigator can start his task, all scratch

 

 

Cheers

 

[2Step]

5 minutes ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

Gidday, maybe explained another way.

 

If you want to get someone's attention you can quote a little bit of their text. Simply highlight a bit by click and drag across the text. A white "quote" box appears and then click on it.

 

Another way is to include their name in a black oval in your text. To do that type @ and immediately start typing their name. A number of similar names will appear in a white drop-down box. When you see the name you want simply click on it and it should appear in your text like so @2Step and that person with receive a notice that you've mentioned them. HTH. Regards, Jeff.

ok thanks, quotes I know how to do

 

@ArnoldAmbrose

and this now too.

 

Thanks again, I meant what I said I really appreciate the help!

 

Cheers

[Cklasse]

This is one nice setting for a big boat. You just gave me the inspiration to build my S100 in a pier. I am new to diorama building but am willing to take up the challenge. Will be watching this build for my future build. 

[2Step]

53 minutes ago, Cklasse said:

This is one nice setting for a big boat. You just gave me the inspiration to build my S100 in a pier. I am new to diorama building but am willing to take up the challenge. Will be watching this build for my future build. 

Well, diorama building is quite easy, just build it as it appears in reality, just smaller 

Sorry just kidding. Actually, it is in so far easier that you build it as YOU see the reality. Especially with WWII scenarios (coming from 1/48 Luftwaffe) there is practically nothing that didn't exist. As long as you like it, it is just right - and let anybody else proof to you that it DID NOT exist

 

Good luck with your build

Cheers