USS Tucson

[SSBN659]

Temperature in the garage this morning is 48F, been low for weeks and too cold to airbrush. Worked on masts for awhile but not much else. Once it warms up I'll repaint the hull and install masts, retractable cleats and other details.






Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to a weekend of football playoffs.

Will Rogers
SSBN659

[SSBN659]

Tucson is still a work in progress. While waiting for warmer weather for a final coat of paint I decided to work on the display base. My original plan was to build it the same way I did my Will Rogers model several years ago.



When I found out the price of acrylic rod and walnut I changed my mind and will go with wood I have laying around.





I'll use molding on the perimeter of the base and finish it off with a dark wood stain. Stay tuned.

Will Rogers
SSBN659

[SSBN659]

Submarine Base.





Rare Earth magnets in cradle for securing Tucson - mooring lines not required.

Will Rogers
SSBN659

[wlambing]

Don't forget to put some felt or flocking in those saddles, the wood end-grain will tear your paint to shreds!

[rwtdiver]

Submarine Base.





Rare Earth magnets in cradle for securing Tucson - mooring lines not required.

Will Rogers
SSBN659

Very nice looking stand for that Tucson!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat."

[SSBN659]

Great tip about using felt on the saddles, thanks. Just trying to make it look like I know what I'm doing so I appreciate all comments.

Will Rogers
SSBN659

[SSBN659]

The sub base is almost ready, just need to add some felt or other material as suggested previously. Weather here has been warm enough to airbrush so after playing with different ideas of color I did both underside and topside. Still have some touchup where blue masking tape had too much tack (even after de-tacking on my shirt) but I'm pleased with the look. Next will come antennas, snorkel, retractable cleats and capstan. At some point I will need an acrylic display case and appropriate nameplate.







By the time Tucson is finished it will have in progress about two years.

Will Rogers
SSBN659

[SSBN659]

Oops, forgot this shot.



Will Rogers
SSBN659

[SSBN659]

Still not having good luck with red acrylic on lower hill. What is your experience with airbrushing acrylic over rattle can grey primer?

Will Rogers
SSBN659