Model Monkey Balao class Submarine Fairwater

[ModelMonkey]

Model Monkey is pleased to announce that the design for an accurate, highly detailed, 3D-printed Balao class fairwater is complete and has passed Shapeways design analysis software checks.

1/72 scale: http://www.shapeways.com/product/DR4PEW ... water-1945
1/144 scale: http://www.shapeways.com/product/LAE6Z9 ... water-1945
1/180 scale: http://www.shapeways.com/product/FVRNUW ... d=60844974
1/200 scale: http://www.shapeways.com/product/WDVKVT ... water-1945
1/350 scale: http://www.shapeways.com/product/ARBJDU ... water-1945

[edit: added 1/144, 1/180, 1/200 and 1/350 scales]

This model fairwater is intended to help convert your Gato class submarine model into one of 122 World War Two-era Balao class submarines, successor to the Gato class. The Balao class had a differently shaped fairwater (sail/conning tower) than the earlier Gato class although the hull was nearly identical externally. This model has features specific to USS Balao SS-285 as it appeared during 1945. It can be adapted to other boats of the class with similar features.

USS Balao herself starred in the motion picture "Operation Petticoat" starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. Get out your pink paint.

This model was designed based on US Navy drawings. The Balao fairwater is not the same size and shape of a Gato fairwater. Some adjustment of your plastic Gato kit's deck part will be necessary for best fit.

Coming soon: Balao class USS Lionfish SS-298 fairwater. Lionfish's features were considerably different than those of USS Balao.

Some part cleanup will be necessary. During the 3D printing process, a waxy substance is used to support certain part features. Although the parts are cleaned by Shapeways afterwards, some waxy residue may remain. It can be safely removed with water and a mild aqueous detergent like �Dawn� dishwashing detergent, baby shampoo (no conditioner) or "Simple Green" using an old, soft toothbrush, Q-tips or pipe cleaners. Customers report that "Bestine" and "Goo Gone" also work well.

During the printing process, liquid resin is cured by ultraviolet light. Microscopic bits of resin may remain uncured. Let your parts sit in direct sunlight for a few hours to fully cure the resin before painting. Sunlight (or a UV lamp) will prevent any uncured resin from leaching out of the parts and spoiling your paint.

Once your parts are fully cured, if desired, careful use of an inexpensive �air eraser� emitting common household baking soda can help smooth surfaces and remove any unwanted �frost�. Similar to an airbrush but much cheaper, air erasers can be found on Amazon.com. Models by Harbor Freight and Paasche are popular.

Water-based acrylic paints meant for plastics is strongly recommended. Other paints, especially enamels, may not cure on Frosted Detail 3D-printed plastics.

� Model Monkey Book and Hobby. This 3D-printed item may not be copied or recast.

[ModelMonkey]

You know you want to...

[Admiral John Byng]

Great film!
Does anyone remember the exact ratio of red lead to white lead?

[Aop Aur]

I would love to know how the 1/350 would cost. Love all the details!

Aop

[ModelMonkey]

I'm sorry, Aop, but this design is probably not printable in 1/350 scale. [edit: it is indeed printable in 1/350 and is available!]

[Aop Aur]

Would it be possible to delete some details so it could be printed? Anyway I'm just asking as there are a lot to build in my stash... I might be able to modify the Gato island, or scratchbuild it.

Thanks!
Aop

[Timmy C]

Great film!
Does anyone remember the exact ratio of red lead to white lead?

Just watched it last night, and it was 1:1 - 10 barrels of each were on the island!

[Joe Ellias]

No 1/350? That's a shame. I bought the 1/72 scale fair water but I was really looking forward to the 1/350 scale version. I think the AFV Club Gato In 1/350 scale is the nicest Gato on the. Market and a Balao version would really be nice.
Joe

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, Joe, for you patronage!

Would it be possible to delete some details so it could be printed?....
Thanks!
Aop

No, I'm afraid not. Details are not the problem. In 1/350 scale the basic structure is too small and its features are too fine. A Balao design in 1/350 scale would likely have to be a featureless, expensive blob in order to be printable. There is no market for blobs.

[ModelMonkey]

Alrighty, 1/144 scale is ready!

http://www.shapeways.com/product/LAE6Z9 ... water-1945

[ModelMonkey]

Some good news, a 1/350 Balao fairwater may be possible afterall. The design in 1/350 is really making my hair hurt but I think it is within reach.

It will look rather featureless (no rails or stanchions), the walls will be proportionally thick, but the overall shape will be excellent and better detail than the Gato plastic kit's parts is likely.

For classic Revell fans, 1/180 is ready: http://www.shapeways.com/product/FVRNUW ... d=60844974


Boxart: Scalemates.com

[davidwaples]

Great news on the 1/350 option! I definitely understand the limitations. Thanks for making the effort!
Dave

[ofrezca]

Absolutely great news! Thank�s a lot for trying a 1:350 version.

I read your post in the Main Forum about people asking for producs but sales that are not really worth the effort. I will definately buy this product as soon as it is available. Personally, I think that such products are for very experienced modellers who are familiar with resin, PE, multi media and even scratch. The market volume for such professional fittings is limited. Thinking of that I must say that I am very grateful for all your efforts to extend our modelling options, Steve.

I will not need rails or stanchions. Some spare PE and scratch will do the job.

Thanks

Torben

[Joe Ellias]

Great news on the 1/350 scale! Steve is a guy who really makes the extra effort to satisfy his customers.

[ModelMonkey]

1/350 is ready. Just like voting: buy early, buy often.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/ARBJDU ... water-1945



Boxart: Scalemates.com

[Aop Aur]

Great news for the 1/350! The details still look great! I will order one as soon as there is a free-shipping offer! (It's still $19.99 to Bangkok )

Cheers,
Aop

[ofrezca]

Great! That was fast.

Just placed my order along with some of your other products. There seems to be an issue with the Balao Fairwater and the Igloos (both 1:350). Shapeways said that they will not be able to print them. (order #1466716)

Thank you

Torben

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks for your patronage, Torben!

Regarding the igloos, Shapeways had me thicken the sprue. It's ready for reordering, now. The cancelation was a surprise since the igloos have been successfully printed several times. Apparently, the "B Team" is on the printers today.

Regarding the 1/350 Balao, Shapeways reports they can't print or clean any of the ammo locker hatch details or the direction finder loop. I have removed those details (just for 1/350) and have uploaded the adjusted design to Shapeways.

The 1/350 Balao vers. 2.0 is ready to order.

I hope new design will be printable by Shapeways and remains pleasing to you.

Thanks again, Torben!

[ModelMonkey]

And lastly, 1/200 is ready for Riich Models' Gato kits.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/WDVKVT ... water-1945


Boxart: Scalemates.com.

[Romad601]

Hi Steve, - a quick question before I place an order; I seem to recall you are going to another Gato/Balao fairwater besides this one. Will it also be in 1/144 & 1/200? The reason I ask is that I stopped my 1/144 kit in mid- build to use your fairwater, instead of the resin one I already have. I'd like to build a different sub with another fairwater in 1/200, and if you're doing a seperate, second fairwater, this sounds like exactly what I need.
I'm ordering my 1/160 Carronade turret at the same time.
Thanks in advance.