Anechoic tiles

[greenman407]

Did I spell that right? Anyway, OTW makes a 55" Upholder and it looks great. However, How do we take a smooth hull model like this and make it look like it has been covered with the Anechoic tiles? Its more of a task than just scribing on lines onto the hull, the sail has real thick ones on it and where the Sonar windows are on the sail you can really see the thickness of the tiles. Take a look at the pictures. Some of them come off of Bob Martins website.

[greenman407]

In the last picture, look at the torpedo hatches.

[Slats]

Been there done that - and used a technique that a lot of experienced builders and craftsman thought intitally was nuts.

I roughed up the gelcoat of the OTW Trafalgar (1/72 Trenchant) and applied in batches Evergreen styrene tiles. The batches were applied in no more than around a square inch at a time. By scoring the tiles demarcation you can get great flexibility around curved surfaces and where necessary stips of tiles were applied too. I went to great lengths to ensure that the different rates of expansion between styrene and GRP did not compromise the finish. Apply the tiles a little at a time contributed to the longevity of this approach under the hot Australian sun. If the tiles do drop off - its like the real boats - but none have. I have even modelled deliberate vacant spots where like the real boats the tiles parted company with the hull.

Here are some finished photos - I'll post more of the individual application when I can find them.











Key to application is
-Rough up Gelcoat
-Rough up Evergreen tiles
-Apply Evergreen tiles in sensible small batches and strips- start with contours around torpedo shutters, values and openings, sonar arrays, and any areas you want to have no tiles first.
-Glue I used was Green Medium ZAP CA
-Sand the tiles when all are applied to the hull. You want to lessen the tile demarcation lines.
-Used a good automotive standard primer and apply a couple of coats.
Best
John

[Slats]

Found some photos
- here you see the basic un-detailed OTW 1/72 Trafalgar hull. I used my own sail and my own dive planes, rudders, and appendages



Tile application -
I will try and post a larger picture - these two are **** photos:-





A better photo showing the paint job with weathering commenced:-

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Excellent work there, John!

David

[Slats]

Thanks David
J

[greenman407]

Excellent job!.....................................Whats Evergreen styrene tiles???

[Scott T]

What if you made a thin layer of silicone caulk and; then once cured; cut it into squares or the
desired shapes and glued them on?

Scott T

[greenman407]

Well thats using the old noodle for sure but it would probably be difficult to make it look good. Just my thought.

[trout]

@Greenman407 - evergreen styrene is styrene made by a company called evergreen.

[Subculture]

Another method, which produces a slightly softer effect to scribing the tiles, is to use builders scrim as a mask, and spray through with high build primer.

[greenman407]

Yes I think we have something like it at the hobbie shop. Ill bet curving around the bow was fun.John, do you have any pictures of that?

[Slats]

Happy to supply more photos have to dig them out of my old computer.
Unfortunately when I was summarily dismissed from SP for standing up against stupidity, my Intellectual Property on this topic was made unavailable to me.

In short the procedure I have used does not take long, does not required extensive surface build up, does not required scribing, does not require skilled painting procedures. The results speak for themselves.

Evergreen tile sheets are affordable and coming in a variety of tile sizes, measure the tile size you need in the scale that you have and then post what that size is and I'll be happy to get the Evergreen part number that is the closest or exact match to what you need.

Best

John

[RapidNadion]

Would just like to echo the thoughts of some others here ... really amazing work on those tiles, Slats. Thanks for the tips on reproducing that effect, as well.

[greenman407]

Yes,Thank you John, I dont have a project pending, I was just wondering. My mind is always saying: what if? I do like the OTW Upholder, perhaps someday........................