1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

[ssn705]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

I just love watching the work in this thread. The idea of magnets for the guns is great. This thread is going to be a key reference when I break out one of my gatos...but that will probably wait until I am retired. Key up the awesome work guys.

Cheers,

Dave

[salmon]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Consider coating the magnets with epoxy or enamel. Mine is rusting......although it adds a nice weathered effect on the deck gun.

[PaulC]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Got into the shop this afternoon and managed to install both port and starboard prop shafts. My boat has wheels! Pics to follow when the glue dries and I get the chance.

[jefftytoo]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Way to go, Paul. I'm envious as always.

JeffP

[PaulC]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Here's the promised images. The first two show the current state of stern progress. The assembly is press fit onto the hull. I'm waiting to bond it after the cleanup work is done. It's easier to work with the sub-assembly rather than the whole boat. Props are G-Factor brass units.



Putty and primer is in progress. That pesky lower starboard tube just won't clean up properly. The rest of the work on the stern seams, prop guard mounts, etc. are coming along. The shaft struts are pretty clean at this point too. I tested the stern plane linkage and got the wire in through the skeg so everything is good to go. Need to install the prop shaft bearings next.



Also got the bow planes assembled this weekend. The shafts are drilled out and linkages test fit fine. Pins are installed temporarily and are purposefully longer than necessary. All control surfaces are ready to go. Once the bow finish work is completed I can glue the halves together and insert the bow retract works.



Had some additional fun adding some character to the bow planes. Note the weld lines. I first drew the line on the part, then taped either side keeping the gap as narrow as possible. Then filled the gap with baking soda and hit it with CA. Salmon's Gato thread has some good shots of this process. Will need to redo the lines on the stern as well.



Reference shot of Silversides bow plane taken by JeffP. I'm considering adding a few touches with paint for some further detail. Note excessively large well area in front of the plane. This was a later mod and not on Wahoo.

[PaulC]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Further tinkering. Cut the dive plane well hand grabs for the port side. Once the starboard side is finished I can join the halves.



Also added the little square weld lines in front of the dive plane retract arm bearing (see Silversides reference photo above). The planes looked so plain before. I like the added character. It's more subtle in real life than the image suggests. I also created a larger radius for the bottom trailing edge corners of each plane. For me, this is the fun stuff.

[jefftytoo]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Fantastic.

Breathless,
JeffP

[salmon]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Paul,
You make it look effortless! Very nice details and you're right that extra details make a big difference in the character of the dive plane. I am taking notes!
Peace,
Tom

[ssn705]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Beautiful work Paul, loving every bit of the detail work. It's funny how sometimes you don't even notice those details on the real thing until someone goes to the trouble to make their model perfect.

Cheers,

Dave

[PaulC]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Thanks guys, it is a labor of love. And I agree completely, Dave. It isn't until I get to a part, such as the bow plane, that I look at it with a really critical eye and discover things that were always there but I never noticed. And then there's times when I'm positive I know something is there and then -- what the -- it's actually different than I've always thought. All part of the fun.

[PaulC]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Tom,

What is your procedure for pickling white metal parts? I've tried different things but not the ferric chloride (I believe) that you use. I've got some in an etching kit and wanted to use it on the bow plane retract arms. And didn't want to disfigure/kill/ruin parts in the process.

[Guest]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

I use ferric chloride to pickle white metal parts. Don't worry it won't dissolve them before your eyes. You just need to pickle the parts for a short time, usually a minute or so until they go a charcoal grey. After a rinse and dry I usually then hit them with an etching primer, although that isn't really necessary (belt and braces).

Just make sure you wear old clothes when using it, as it stains like anything (fingers too).

[salmon]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Ditto what Andy said. I make a small hook from a piece of sprue. Once it is etched, use a baking soda bath to neutralize the acid (it may not be necessary, but I felt better). Then rinse. I can post some pics if you want.

[PaulC]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

"(belt and braces)" Andy, you always post some creative turn of phrase that cracks me up.

Okay, guys, I'll give it a try. In the past I've used epoxy primer when I've wanted to ensure adhesion to important parts that are metal or GRP. But I don't have much interest in mixing a batch for such a tiny job. I'll let you know how it goes.

Also, I cut in the hand grabs for the starboard bow plane well so I'm almost ready to work on the dive plane mechanism itself.

[PaulC]

Re: 1/72nd Revell Gato Wolfpack

Voila! Stock part on the left, pickled part on the right.