Getting ready to begin my Trumpeter 1/144 Gato build. Here we go....
First, here's the kit I'm building-
This, by no means, is "the" way to go about converting this kit, but merely my version, based on a somewhat
sensible approach, and a whole lot of faith from HWSNBN! Thanks for the inspiration, M!!
First thing I did was to remove the hull halves and deck from the sprues (which is a good thing!), then after cleaning up the sprue "boogers", I taped the hull halves together as securely as possible. Next I taped the deck to the hull, and outlined where the deck mates up to the hull with a black fine tipped marker. ( Sharpie, if you will!)
Next was to remove the deck and, using a red marker, repeat the black line about 1/8" closer to centerline. This should allow the deck to have enough
overlap to conceal the areas to be cut away. The 1 1/4" Sub Driver will fit into the hull, but might have to be inserted in pieces?? Jury's still out on that one though!! More to come on that later!
In the photo to the far right, you can see 2 areas labeled "strap". They are about 1/2" in width, and will be left in tact so as to provide a little structural support to the top of the hull once the areas shaded in red are removed. The "straps" are located directly above the molded in alignment pins to help maintain the registration. An additional "strap", although not labeled, is at the far left of the shaded part!
I'm very much looking forward to building this sub, and am pleased to be cataloging my steps in hopes of helping anyone else interested in this particular kit conversion!!
Lotsa fun in store, so check back often!
My next post will be after I remove a lot of the upper hull half!!
Wish me luck!!
crazygary, out!
First, here's the kit I'm building-
This, by no means, is "the" way to go about converting this kit, but merely my version, based on a somewhat
sensible approach, and a whole lot of faith from HWSNBN! Thanks for the inspiration, M!!
First thing I did was to remove the hull halves and deck from the sprues (which is a good thing!), then after cleaning up the sprue "boogers", I taped the hull halves together as securely as possible. Next I taped the deck to the hull, and outlined where the deck mates up to the hull with a black fine tipped marker. ( Sharpie, if you will!)
Next was to remove the deck and, using a red marker, repeat the black line about 1/8" closer to centerline. This should allow the deck to have enough
overlap to conceal the areas to be cut away. The 1 1/4" Sub Driver will fit into the hull, but might have to be inserted in pieces?? Jury's still out on that one though!! More to come on that later!
In the photo to the far right, you can see 2 areas labeled "strap". They are about 1/2" in width, and will be left in tact so as to provide a little structural support to the top of the hull once the areas shaded in red are removed. The "straps" are located directly above the molded in alignment pins to help maintain the registration. An additional "strap", although not labeled, is at the far left of the shaded part!
I'm very much looking forward to building this sub, and am pleased to be cataloging my steps in hopes of helping anyone else interested in this particular kit conversion!!
Lotsa fun in store, so check back often!
My next post will be after I remove a lot of the upper hull half!!
Wish me luck!!
crazygary, out!
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