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Enjoyed the Eckloss post/Merriman's work on the turn key Vanguard SSBN. Dave's client mentioned he does not have time for masts. So I thought I would share about the pleasure I have making mine.
I enjoy making very detailed masts. This really sets the scale for the model. Here are mine for my 1/40 RC Argonaute (French Arethuse class). Yes, you saw right.....the lenses on the scopes are highly polished (brass). Masts are stainless steel. Mast heads are several materials. The radar and ESM masts are spun in aluminum on my lathe. The scopes (also on lathe) are of brass, but the attack scope neck is a little thicker than scale, for more duribility at the model pond winning more over 'scale' considerations. The 'Veille' (French for 'vigil' instead of 'search') scope is mostly stainless steel with some brass parts. The snorkel head is a scratch built lost wax casting in dental lab non-precious metal. This alloy is light, stainless, and incredibly strong, (and cheap too...set my lab back in material costs - 20 cents, labor cost...I had one of our waxers invest it and I cast it myself...payed the waxer a 6 pack of his favorite beer...$4.99 from 'Trader Joes'). The mast for the snorkel is 1/4 inch dia., for visual perspective. Making the extendable whip antenna mast now (will retract too). This will be a lost wax metal casting eventually too. It will be made from scratch and kit bashing 1/48 scale landing gear parts from model kits. (the landing gear fork where the wheel goes in between). The waxer awaits my casting...and his next 6 pack of beer as payment. lol
Then I will have to paint on the camo....love those crazy blue 'onion rings' and 'leopard spots'!
Something different from the usual American and German subs.
Steve
Edited By Dolphin on 1113677590
I enjoy making very detailed masts. This really sets the scale for the model. Here are mine for my 1/40 RC Argonaute (French Arethuse class). Yes, you saw right.....the lenses on the scopes are highly polished (brass). Masts are stainless steel. Mast heads are several materials. The radar and ESM masts are spun in aluminum on my lathe. The scopes (also on lathe) are of brass, but the attack scope neck is a little thicker than scale, for more duribility at the model pond winning more over 'scale' considerations. The 'Veille' (French for 'vigil' instead of 'search') scope is mostly stainless steel with some brass parts. The snorkel head is a scratch built lost wax casting in dental lab non-precious metal. This alloy is light, stainless, and incredibly strong, (and cheap too...set my lab back in material costs - 20 cents, labor cost...I had one of our waxers invest it and I cast it myself...payed the waxer a 6 pack of his favorite beer...$4.99 from 'Trader Joes'). The mast for the snorkel is 1/4 inch dia., for visual perspective. Making the extendable whip antenna mast now (will retract too). This will be a lost wax metal casting eventually too. It will be made from scratch and kit bashing 1/48 scale landing gear parts from model kits. (the landing gear fork where the wheel goes in between). The waxer awaits my casting...and his next 6 pack of beer as payment. lol
Then I will have to paint on the camo....love those crazy blue 'onion rings' and 'leopard spots'!
Something different from the usual American and German subs.
Steve
Edited By Dolphin on 1113677590
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