1/144 scratch build Akula

[bwi]

I was pondering how to provide the outer groves. The trouble was it hat to be precise and I could not put to much strength on the stuffing box. The bore is 2 mm in diameter and the inner diameter of the grove would be 3,1mm; 0.5mm material remained (0.02 inch).
I came up with this. I use a hand grinder. I made a jig to support my hand grinder. The tool holder of the lath was replaced by this jig. A 1mm diameter cutter was installed in the grinder. The grove dimensions are diameter 3,2mm, wide 1.8mm.

[bwi]

The O-rings were installed and the seal assembly was test fitted in the WTC. Nice tight fit. Mission accomplished. When I receive the inner o-rings I will start production of the 4 stuffing boxes.



Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

After some idle time I picked up the sub were I left it.

I have been doing some scribing practice on my master. As a novice I had no idea how it suppose to look.
After some gentle corrections by David Merriman I reduced the point of the finishing tool from diameter 0.9mm to 0.5mm.
The difference is significant.









Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

I posted a question some time ago concerning scribing the bow:

But every time I get stuck when I'm thinking about the bow....how I'm going to project the torpedo doors to the spherical hull so the will end up as circle in a front view. I was thinking about making a mould of the bow in fiberglass and drill holes in it (will not be so strait forward) and use this as an stencil for the bow. But I'm not convinced this is the best way to go.

Yes I could use the try and error method an go for it but I would appreciate it if you guys share you experiences so I can skip the error phase .All suggestions are welcome!

Didn't get much response to that, a little bit disappointing, so I asked how to do it on another forum.
I got a response from David Merriman on how to do it.

I have followed his directions and made a mold of the bow in fiberglass, traced all dimensions on it, drilled holes in it and finished finish them off with a round-file and some DIY grinding calipers.

It’s straight forward when someone tells you how to do it.











Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Small details read “why on earth I have chosen a 1/144 scale”

I have started with the fabrication of all the small bits and pieces for the sub.
The first challenge were the lights on the upper rudder and tow array pod (three pieces in total).
I used a 0.2mm rod bent into shape cut it at the desired length pushed it into molding clay and applied CA glue. The base is 2mm in diameter.







Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Small details read “why on earth I have chosen a 1/144 scale”

Next challenge were the SOKS. Here I used a 1,5mm brass rod, drilled a 0,5mm (0,019") hole into it, turned it down to 1mm (0,039") and made a radius with a needle file.











Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Ok FINALY some progress:

Readdressed the rudders and planes,
When I made the transition with the hull to much material was removed a slight reses was the result. Two coats of primer (red colour) iwo the curve solved the problem.



all parts in the Paint box



Horizontal SOKS 6 needed 2 spare; body 2.5mm brass rod support 1mm styrene:










Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Vertical SOKS: 3 small SOKS, 2 big protectors; 2x1.5mm styrene sheet:







Inlet Scoops (round instead of the fin type, gray one), 2x4mm styrene sheet, inlet still to be opened up:







Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Escape hatch













Grtz,
Bart

[salmon]

Outstanding work!
Painting that will be interesting, but well worth the effort!

[bwi]

I'm working on a 1/144 paint brush….that will do the job .

It has crossed my mind Tom but I think I can do it…..I have painted my son's tanks (1/72) with an airbrush (first time)…..all the details were still OK.

Grtz,
Bart

[salmon]

Never thought you couldn't, Bart. You have a lot of talent! (Nice tanks too!)

[bwi]

My experience Tom is that THINK and COULD do have the tendency to go their separate ways and never meet each other....occasionally they cross each other’s path and then I get an EUREKA moment. Hope I get one when painting this small stuff LOL.

Regarding the tanks....I got him 12pc's.....glued them together.....painted them in two different paint schemes (6 each)....and guess what......he finds them too nice to play with.....they are all sitting in a box not to be touched.

Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Back to the sub.
The air intake in the sail.

Distance between the slots is approx. 0.25mm.
And NOOOOO…… that’s not 3D printed…..it’s hand crafted. 22pc and 1 endplate and I was done, one more to go.

Grtz,
Bart

[salmon]

My experience Tom is that THINK and COULD do have the tendency to go their separate ways and never meet each other....occasionally they cross each other’s path and then I get an EUREKA moment. Hope I get one when painting this small stuff LOL.

Bar,
I get that! For me I am not smart enough to know when I can't do it! Ignorance is bliss.

Those grates are insane! I am in awe......Uitstekend!
Peace,
Tom