1/350 U.S.S. Nautilus - SSN 571 (static)

[DrSchmidt]

While I wait for some resin and get the CAD files for the structural parts of the machine room of my Type XXIII ready, I decided to squeeze in a quick build. I chose an Ukrainian kit by Mikro Mir to support our allied model enthusiasts in the east. As I have the big RC version, I went for the 1:350 kit of the U.S.S. Nautilus. Mikro Mir is known to have rare kits with bad fit … so it’s going to be an interesting build. The box holds a few plastic parts, PE, decals and very basic instructions. I started by fitting a resin block into the hull that will later accept the mount. Then I glued the two sides of the fuselage together. With a little bit of sanding I got a reasonable fit. Will require some filling, but on an acceptable level Same with the two sides of the sail, that required a bit more work, but in the end I got a sharp and straight back edge as reward. Gonna be fun…

[Das Boot]

I’m waiting for a decent 3D print to come out of this boat. Then I can justify a printer.

[DrSchmidt]

I thought this is a decent CAD version https://www.rc-submarine.com/product...autilus-ssn571

[Das Boot]

Right under my nose. Thanks.

[DrSchmidt]

Worked on the top of the sail. As the Nautilus has an open bridge, I scratch built one with two styrene snippets. The roof of the sail only fits rudimentary and required quite some adjusting after it had been been put on.





The seams of the hull are filled and sanded and I test-fitted the nice PE deck. Now I have to figure out how to sink it in the plastic. Two options: i) melting it into the plastic using a soldering iron (done that on my VIIc) or mechanically excavating a pocket. Poth tricky and risky. We ill see....





Meanwhile I have (very carefully) trimmed the roof of the sail to get a nice and eve transition into the sides of the sail. Looks much better....




Some more tiny adjustemnens on the sail and then its the PE deck....

[DrSchmidt]

Worked some more on the fuselage. The deck has been melted into the styrene using a soldering iron. Went O.K.. Only on the front end of the PE deck I had to do some adjustemnts afterwards. The planes and stabilizers are in place....very bad fit that required some major filling and sanding. But now it's also O.K.. And the the upwards-angeled front planes, kinda 571 trdemark. Some touch ups and then some filler for the hull...fun.

[DrSchmidt]

the hull of this tiny 1:350 Ukrainian kit is done, filled, sanded, primed, and the base coat of Vallejo flat black has been applied. Starts to look like something…

[DrSchmidt]

The freeboard got painted gray, representing the eraly version of the Nautilus. The open limber ho indikate that the kit resembles this early boat (got welded shut soon after because of oise reduction reasons). The bow sonar covers got painted in a darker gery. Everything will faced together a bit onve I start weathering the surfaces.

[DrSchmidt]

I didn't like the flat relief on the top of the sail. So I drilled open the openings for the radar systems and filled them with Milliput from behind. Now I have nice circular wells in which I could hide the radars. Glued the sail to the boat and continued painting and weathering. As the Nautilus was the first nuclear sub, I was held in good condition, especially at the depicted early stages of her career, I kept things subtile. Various layers of gray and white filters, grey, black and white washes, some rust and dirt streaking. Semi gloss coating then the decals and finally a matte coat to get everything pop out a bit.....I like it. Next are the props, the whip antennas and some touch ups.

[DrSchmidt]

Well, mission complete. Despite the semi good fit of the kit, it was a fun build and Mikro Mir shows a high degree of love for detail. The result is a lovely little boat that isn't available as a plastic kit anywhere else.

Final steps were the installation of the props, the whip antennas and the self-printed little stand. What's still missing s a wooden base plate. Ordered some maple boards that will get some nice edges on the router, Mahogany staining and then a clear glossy coat. After that its off to the showcase. I like it, I hope you too.....

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Good work, sir!

David

[DrSchmidt]

Thanks you sir!!!

[Das Boot]

Very nice job. Looks just like her launch colors too.