A 1:700 scale 1944 Mare Island Navy Yard

[aleccap]

That is slowly becoming one of the best dioramas around, where do you begin such a poject ?

[Cadman]

You guys didn't think they were going to launch that sub without a crowd of wll wishers. Man I love seeing this diorama come to life. Very cool.

[bgire]

Hello Folks !

Now it�s time to launch our Gato�

The band is being prepared:


The Lady breaks the Champagne bottle:



The band is playing �Stars and Stripes�:



�and the sub gently slips into the water:



Eeeeerr� Jean wanted to try both slips, so two almost simultaneous launchings�









� as he noticed to me� this has been the first time ever in History an American naval ship is being launched� in France!

[PetrOs]

Well, i plainly have no words! That is just fantastic!

[aleccap]

While the whole diorama is still to be complete, as times goes on, this is slowly developing into something very special, the only thing, and I have mentioned this several times in past threads, 1-700 flat sailors, YES everyone should have a dockyard crew/people as obviously it would look so lost without it, its just a shame at the moment, 1-700 sailors are flat only, then again, 1-350 'was' only flat, now 3-D and in two packs, only time will tell, the launch of the Gato really really really good.

[Aidan]

You two fella's are beyond belief, the more I watch this thing develop, the more I'm convinced I should give up modeling and take up knitting or something , seriously though, utterly brilliant work. What you need now to make it totally convincing is, a gang of kids stealing stuff from the cars

[bgire]

What you need now to make it totally convincing is, a gang of kids stealing stuff from the cars

... in a Navy Yard? By Wartime?

Next step will be adding a framed Gato (i.e. without her external plating) on the second slip and finishing the scaffoldings.

[Kym Knight]

Looking at those launch photo's, I could hear the band.

[bgire]

Hello Folks

Our Mare Island twin slip is getting busy.
Along the Gato sub being launched, another boat is being assembled.

Here are picture taken before fitting the left row of scaffoldings, which will mask some details.















And here�s a larger view showing the Delta King in foreground:





� to be continued�

[aleccap]

Almost out of this world, fantastic stuff, busy, a lot to see, a lot to take in, and still quite a way before its finished, those little huts, were they difficult to build ?

[Jack Ray]

Probably, but anything is possible given enough time and thought.

I wonder what their wives think?

Jack

[bgire]

those little huts, were they difficult to build ?

Only two parts per hut (folded walls and roof)

I wonder what their wives think?

"Their wives" are OK: the whole stuff is small enough (80x53cm) and doesn't monopolize the living room

[J. Soca]

Thats truly amazing


Jose

[aleccap]

Sorry about this, providing the price is okay, I was hopeful you'd be able to tell me more about the buildings, especially the little huts, where did you buy them, did you make them, can I buy them, if so where from, I did recieve an email like most people I dare say, and at the moment still waiting for a reply, sorry about this.

[Sr. Gopher]

Are there any tips that you can give for custom photo-etching? Planning on my own harbor diorama. Is it possible to purchase cranes, trains, Harleys, or docks like that? I'm really excited to get to work.

[Sr. Gopher]

How long did it take you to make the scafolding next to the Gato? Do you know any way to scratch any of the diorama (docks and structures) in wood or plastic stock? I'd really like to know. What skill level would you need to make the trains and cranes?

[Sr. Gopher]

How long did it take you to make the scafolding next to the Gato? Do you know any way to scratch any of the diorama (docks and structures) in wood or plastic stock? I'd really like to know. What skill level would you need to make the trains and cranes?

[bgire]

How long did it take you to make the scaffolding next to the Gato? Do you know any way to scratch any of the diorama (docks and structures) in wood or plastic stock? I'd really like to know. What skill level would you need to make the trains and cranes?

Nearly 95% of our scratch is custom made photo-etching.
From our experience, skill level required goes from intermediate to extremely challenging
Send me a PM for more

[Sr. Gopher]

I forgot to mention, Awesome! Also, coud I possibly buy off the "bad" Photo etch sets off of you? Heh heh heh.

[Sr. Gopher]

I forgot to mention, Awesome! Also, coud I possibly buy off the "bad" Photo etch sets off of you? Heh heh heh.

I wasn't actually kidding - but no guarentees.