The Ship Model Forum

A technique I have found useful and fun to apply is the following. Hollow out the searchlight first. Paint the inside silver or aluminium. After the paint has dried (24hrs at least) put in a small square of aluminium kitchen foil and fix it in place using a drop of white glue. Wait another 24 hrs. Load a brush with a drop of Microscale Crystal Clear thinned with water and apply a small amount of it to the searchlight. This will probably result in lens - like bubble standing slightly proud of the rim of the searchlight. If you want your lens to be flat or concave (look at pictures of the original ship to see what kind of searchlights it had) you can withdraw water from the bubble by subtly touching the surface of the bubble with tissue paper. It will take some practice to get this right. After everything is dry you have a beautiful and realistic looking searchlight. You may apply some Future to the lens surface for that extra 'shine' but it is not really neccesary.

You can also use MV lenses, available from any good model railroad-equipped hobby shop.

Use the clear testors glue you use to make windows.

Hey, what about using clear super glue? Never tried it but just wondering if anyone else has. I would imagine it scratches really easily though.

Bobby
I use one of two methods, either use clear sprue of the right diameter and paint the rear silver first then the overall colour on the back and sides and scratchbuild the stand. Second way is to part drill out the face of the searchlight, use a bit the same diameter, then use clearcote to gradually fill in the space, takes a lot of coats as you have to let it dry and it shrinks a lot once it dries.

Mike

I have had some luck in using two part clear epoxy glue to replicate small lenses on military vehicles.
Paint the lens first then put a small dab of the glue on using a pin or matchstick.
I've only just started modelling ships myself, so someone with more experience with small gray floaty things might have a better idea.
Good luck with your build.

Martin

I'm modeling a WW2 Fletcher destroyer in 1/700 scale and was wondering if anyone has good techniques for detailing the search lights. I'm familiar with just painting them but would like to try something more realistic/creative. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.