Model Monkey Balao class Submarine Fairwater

[anj4de]

Hello

I had the igloos printed in 1/700 and the sprues were excellent...meaning super thin! I wonder what the issue in 1/350 would be were they are twice as thick?

cheers
Uwe

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]

Thanks, Uwe, for your purchase! I think that sometimes the stars just don't line up on print day. Glad that the igloo set is again available now in 1/350.

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.

Thanks for your patronage!

Yes, I'll be offering another design with the features of USS Lionfish as it appeared in 1945 (major differences include extended aft cigarette deck, lengthened periscope stand, etc.). It will certainly be available in 1/72 and 1/144. I hope to have it available in 1/200 and 1/350 but no promises for those scales. As you can imagine, Balao fairwaters have features of a very complex geometry that do not take re-scaling to smaller scales well. So, at least yes for 1/144 and 1/72!

It may be a few weeks before I can finish the Lionfish design in all practical scales. This design is very time-intensive, so far approaching 400 hours in research and design time.

[Romad601]

Thanks for getting back to me, Steve. I just started an order, and it says it won't arrive untill 10/18. Since I'll be gone for a month starting 10/15, it's a better idea to wait a few weeks and order when both fairwaters are available. If you can't print the Lionfish in 1/200, I can do it in 1/144, & a 1/200 Balao. I can order near the end of the month, & have them arrive just after I get home.
Thanks for always being helpfull & professional.

[ofrezca]

Thank you for your great service, Steve.

All items are in production @ Shapeways now. Can�t wait to get them.

All the best

Torben

[whaynes]

Just received the 1/72 scale Balao conning tower/fairwater and it is as spectacular as the CAD illustration . Railings are petite and to scale, periscope housings look great! Separate hatches for ammo stowage, I am impressed!
Walt

[Aop Aur]

Please please post a few photos of it for us to see!! Can't imagine how nice it looks in the flesh!!

Aop

[whaynes]

If I can figure out how to do so, I've not posted pictures before, so I'm not aware of how that is done.
Walt

[Aop Aur]

It is quite easy to do. There's an instruction here: http://shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewto ... =12&t=1261

Aop

[whaynes]

Will try when I get home tonight.
Walt

[Admiral John Byng]

Hi Steve, the 1/144 Balao Fairwater could not be printed. Please would you post here when you have fixed it and I will order it again. I am not in a hurry as I have not started the kit yet.

Thanks.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks for your patience!

Shapeways notified me late this afternoon that just for the 1/144 scale fairwater, the forward cigarette deck stanchions will have to be thickened to survive cleaning. I'll have it ready for you later tomorrow. [edit: DONE and READY!]

Very sorry for the disappointment and inconvenience.

[Admiral John Byng]

It's fine Steve. I know from your posts on here that this happens sometimes and you have to alter the design a bit. I have also ordered the Saratoga funnel and so I hope to be able to commence building in a month or so.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, Admiral!

Ahh yes, the Saratoga funnel. It's waaaaaayyyyyy better than the kit parts. I'm confident you will really like it.

[davidwaples]

My 1/350 Balao Fairwater arrived yesterday. It's magnificent and will look great on my AFV Gato hull. Thanks for making these Steve!
Dave

[Aop Aur]

Could you also post a few shots of the part here? I am going to buy it as well, so I am interested to see how it looks like.

Aop

[davidwaples]

Here you go. One of the better quality castings ...err... prints... I've received from Shapeways.


You'll have to do some deck clean up behind. I have the Fairwater placed exactly where it should be. Railing will be fun as well.

Dave

[Aop Aur]

Very nice indeed! Many thanks to Steve! I will be watching out for free-shipping or discounts, then I'll be getting one!

Aop

[ModelMonkey]

Lionfish coming, maybe a couple weeks yet.