1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

gotcha! im not sure what kind of resin i bought.. i will test it on a piece of foam first.

well, roughed in the bow and stern today. tomarrow i will finish smoothing out the plug. plan on getting some glass on this thing by monday (i hope). i would like to have the glassing done before the new year at the latest.






i must admit, its a little bigger than what i had in my minds eye, but its ok! i like the way this is shaping up so far!

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

hmmm.. i think i discovered something (might be old news to you guys though). my research has led me to belive the IXD2's had a slightly differant conning tower than your standard late war IXc and IXc/40. the tower seems longer overall, mostly in the area of the twin 2.2 cm guns.






it seems the area just after the bridge (sorry, its late. brain isnt working) is shorter on the IXC. (as seen here on the U-534's tower)


what do you guys think?

[sam reichart]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

the wintergarten on the IXC is much smaller than the IXD (by the looks of the photos)...the IXC photo you've got looks like the winergarten that was on the VIIC. It looks like aft of the ventilation duct/"mattress" antenna will need to be extended to support the decking and weight of the twin 2.2 and the canisters.

Also, did all IXD's have the twin 2.2s?...are you targeting a specific boat of that class?

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

yes, i am targeting a specific boat, U-181. not sure about all of them having 2.2's, im almost positive the U-181 had 2 twin 2.2's and a single mounted 3.7 cm on the aft wintergarten. the 3.7 exploded killing the cook and wounding 2 others on its longest patrol (206 days). the third photo in the group above was taken on board U-181 and you can see the 2.2's.

glad to see i wasnt the only one who sees the tower differance. i was just gonna throw a IXC tower on it. glad i checked my referances again. nothing i dislike more than a sub with the wrong tower on it. thanks Sam!

[sam reichart]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

I'm sure you also know this, but there's the extended "lower" wintergarten as well...so you have the two extended areas, along with additional railings, guns, etc.

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

yep, i figured they did. i am working on a new set of drawings for the tower. i started with a standard IXC tower and have lengthened the whole tower (upper and lower). ill post up when i am satisfied with the look.

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

soo, sorry for not posting progress pics. but i have been a busy boy. first up is a couple pics of the hull plug. i am using drywall compound to help shape the plug. im hoping this will reduce the amount of work ill have to do later on. we will see.




and my modified conning tower based on the lengthing the tower and making it match the photos above. so far im pleased with the over all shape im seeing.

[greenman407]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

Shes shaping up nicely!

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

thanks greenman! i sanded the hull, have a few spots to touch up, and some low spots to fill. got the main body of the tower shaped today, and its turning out great! a few spots to fill. for the upper part, should i sculpt it in? or on a one off like this could i make out of spare ABS plastic i have here?

[gantu]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

That should be the right C tower

[Scale Shipyard / WLU]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

The Model Submarine Company (SSY) produces a 1/32 scale Type IX-C hull kit that could have been a great starting point for your Type IX-D project

[jeffrey j]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

Its much more rewarding to build your own model. I got dragged through the mud at a St.Louis show one time because I had used a prefab hull from SSY. The guy told me, "Try Building Your Own Hull" !!! and guess what, I did !!! much more fun. looking great. Jeff Jones

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

thanks Jeff! im learning alot from this experiment. im very glad i am doing it, and in the end will be very rewarding. right now im playing around with a few ideas i have before i lay some glass over this hull. stay tuned kids!

[the dark knight]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

so, out of my spare foam, i fabricated a 1/72nd scale alfa hull. this will be my "test" hull. i will try out a few things ive read about here on this hull before i try them on the IXD2. i dont want to mess up the IX if i can avoid it.





sorry for the cell phone pics... its all i have right now.

[bill rogers]

Re: 1/32nd scale IXD2 U-181

Nice work on the Alfa. How did you shape the pink foam sections (tools, method, etc.)?