The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

A very late start on this project, for which I can only apologise *

The aim is to recreate this:




Using this:



and this:





So far I've sanded back all of the thousands of rivets because you can't see them on the original box:




'borrowed' the crew from an old Hudson and stolen its lower starboard nacelle that was missing from my brand new kit



I've also gotten the wings together, sorted the horrible seam line on each engine cowling and painted up all the internal gubbins. This new boxing is not looking promising, one fuselage half is warped roughly half way along its length so that only one end will mate up with its counterpart at any one time, add in incrediable amounts of flash and miss-moulding and I think im going to have a real fight to get her together

The U-boat has its hull together and I think that the base will be created from a picture frame filled with silicone 'water'. Im not sure on the best way to recreate the waterburst though, any ideas??


More as it happens (which will very very soon)

Regards
Tom


*feel free to shout and berate me for being very behind

Good start Tom,

Cheers,
Paul

Good start. With the fuselage, I'd recommend gluing up one end then leaving it to set overnight before gluing up the other end - I see lots of clamps in your future....

Way to go Tom!

That later box art is awful isn't. Make sure you bring the right one with you to the show

Hi Tom how are you going with this one?

Sorry for the lack of progress reports chaps

Here is the latest:



and the U-boat:




I have 6 days off at the moment so Im planning to have construction finished and painting begun in that time. I have ordered replacement decals for the codes and national markings as I have my doubts over the kit ones but it has been three weeks and they haven't arrived, so does anyone have a spare set just in case?

Regards
Tom

To hear there is progress Tom. Remember you're trying to recreate the box art so you are allowed to copy their mistakes and artist license

With 4 weeks to go things are starting to move on this diorama. The basic construction of the featured kits is complete:



and a close up of the copious quantities of filler used so far:



more filling and sanding tonight to sort out those wing roots


The U-boat has its hull painted:



next is a wash and the fine details.

Plus the base has been located:



this was chosen because it's the right size (obviously ) but also because it has a frame depth of a good inch. This is necessary so the U-boat will sit at a realistic depth in the 'water'

Regards

Tom

Good work Tom. It's worth paying attention to those seem lines 'cos they are the things just jump out if not sorted.

Really motoring with this piece now. The U-boat is to all intents and purposes finished:






I'll be adding some rust streaking once the diorama base starts to come together and there isn't any chance of me rubbing them off!

The Hudson is starting to look like a real plane as well:









In the box art the dorsal turret has its frames and base painted in green/brown, the instructions would have me paint and frame it all in black, but as James pointed out this is a recreation of the box-art so i'll be going with the camo option:




So from here I still need to do all the glazing, attach my prop bosses and the prop blurs, apply decals (which are in the process of arriving on my doormat from several sources) and create the base. Not much then

Regards
Tom

Great work Tom the U boat look absolutely cracking!

That u-boat is fantastic!!!!

Thanks gents isn't it fantastic what modern washes can acheive.

Take a look at these compositional shots and tell me what you all think, personally I think the Hudson's supports need to be coming from further left......







Once Im happy with the composition it's on to making my seascape

Regards
Tom

You could moved them over a tad but you don't want them going over the sub. Are those wires going to hold up a a whole weekend we don't what the Hudson ditching on Sunday

The position of the Hudson looks just right to me Tom, but it's up to you mate. It's looking bloody brilliant so far - I'm interested to see what method you're going to use for the water and waves (I know what I'd do but I suspect people are fed up with me harping on about it!).

Really looking forward to seeing it (and your good self of course) in the flesh at Telford.

Keep it coming mate.
Al.