Deck Reinforcement and Detail Work; 1/48 Type VIIC (U-552)

[mike27283]

More progress!

[mike27283]

Completed the deck and primed (except for the bow)…working details on the conning tower now. Removed the aft attack periscope penetration/mount to get better access.

I find the PE is getting easier to work with now that I’ve been getting some reps and sets…

Tweezers, no.11 Exacto blade, terrayaki chicken skewers broken down to a smaller size with poster putty affixed, sanding stick, blue painters tape affixed sticky side up to hole PE, razor blade, small metal ruler...1/32' brass rod to place CA.

Even though I am no longer sticking my fingers together or shooting PE into my eyeball I'm still scraping CA off my fingertips ...fingerprints are gone... Hmmmm...could be a good thing... Ha!

I've still got some point up to do in spots the primer highlighted.

Used Rage Bond to plug up and shape a new recess for the anchor.

As Dave has mentioned and I’ve learned - takes lots of practice, patience, and persistence to hone skills and develop good (good for me - not great like some of the other folks work I see on here) technique.

Hope you all are well!

Mike

[mike27283]

Completed some more work on the conning tower today…

[mike27283]

Completed some hull work and magnetized and leveled the conning tower. Need to add the port side shutter doors and add a few more details to the conning tower - then on to priming.

[mike27283]

More progress on the detail work...weapons are complete. Magentized the deck gun so it can easily be removed - also magentized the flag staff so it can easily be removed as well. Need to figure out the best way to run and mount the halyard and attach the flag (I believe Bob had a good method of doing this?) ...also the fore-aft antenna wire... The railing along the upper deck aft on the conning tower is surprisingly stiff...sprayed with primer and polyurethane. The 'seats' with underlying bases add structural integrity. The plan at this point is to complete the build (railing, halyard/flag, magentize AA gun, binoculars, antenna), trim it out as the weight has changed and foam/weights had been removed, then work with Dave to start the painting and weathering process. Included a pic of the detail kit I am using as well. Hope everyone had a great weekend! Mike

[mike27283]

Made some changes in the conning tower - notice the 'handles' around the base of the attack periscope. Added binoculars, did some priming, started working on the rigging. Mike

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Now THAT is attention to detail! Stunning work, Mike.

David

[mike27283]

High praise Dave - thank you Obi-Wan! Young Padawan.

[mike27283]

Ciao!! Back from my Italy trip and back in the shop… Trip was great - have been there many times before with the Navy for various reasons - nice to be there with my wife this time instead of with a bunch of dudes… Making some progress on the antenna rigging.

[mike27283]

Added a few more antenna wires…

[mike27283]

Merry Christmas! Finally... back in the 'shop' ... almost complete with the antenna. A few more tweaks and then it's time to trim (in the kiddy pool out on the patio - may need to wear my dry suit - in the 30's here...). Once trimming ops are complete, I'll take over to HWSNBNs 'paint shop' (who has very graciously offered to help with painting, finishing and weathering) of course this will also include much training, mentoring, beating, and prostration.

[mike27283]

More progress…

[Das Boot]

The boat looks great, but the insulators for the long wire antenna are spot on.