In EPISODE II we'll cover the plating and anchor well emplacements for the SSUS project.....but first a word from your sponsor.
Attachment:
20151216_155101.jpg [ 54.91 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
After sanding the hull smooth and settling any irregularities I laid out the plating scheme to etch lines where the plates on the SSUS were welded and where the overlapping plates locations were. The plating on the SSUS only overlapped in the mid section of the hull and was riveted. Good god were there rivets. Although I rendered the plates, I never intended to actually rivet the model. That would have been simply insane!!!! Besides at this scale and color I doubt they would have been that noticeable. Iv'e got more boats to build. Having access to the actual SSUS test tank towing model and plating model immense help in keeping things accurate. These two artifacts are in the Mariners Museum collection and I was granted access to photograph them to my hearts content....Oh, yes I did!!!
Attachment:
File comment: Towing and Plating Models
x.jpg [ 26.75 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Attachment:
File comment: Plating Model
Image0.jpg [ 27.8 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
The overlapping sections of plating are made up of thin strips of Evergreen Plastic sheets and glued with CA to the fiber glassed hull. It's not going anywhere. The ends are sanded down to blend with the "welded" scribed lines representing the seams in both the bow and stern portions of the hull.
Attachment:
IMG_0011.jpg [ 60 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Attachment:
File comment: Simulated raised and welded plating
IMG_0012.jpg [ 48.27 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Next, I turned my attention to creating the anchor wells. Since, as I've frequently mention, this is an operating model and I had to have working anchors. The anchor winch for the bow center anchor can be seen thru the hole cut for the port well. The construction of the recessed box and subsequent photos depicting its evolution are seen in the next few pictures. The box is framed out and a template made for the shape of the fender glued to the hull. I filled this area with Bondo (an automotive body repair epoxy like product). After shaping and sanding it comes to shape quickly.
Attachment:
IMG_0002.jpg [ 44.88 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Attachment:
IMG_0014.jpg [ 32.41 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Attachment:
IMG_0015.jpg [ 32.76 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Attachment:
IMG_0016.jpg [ 27.71 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Attachment:
IMG_0017.jpg [ 28.38 KiB | Viewed 1205 times ]
Apparently, I've exceeded my allotted space for this session and will break for a station identification. See you right after the commercial.
Gene