Flankerman Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Ever since finding this photo of the Balao-class sub USS Sealion, I have wanted to try and model her...... All I needed was a 1/350 scale model of a Sikorsky HRS-3 helicopter to place on her widened deck aft of the fairwater..... Then I found that Shapeways Models made a 3D-printed S-55 helicopeter - so I was ready to start... I'm using the AFV-Club Gato-class sub as a starting point....... Sealion is a Balao-class sub (improved Gato), so I needed a late-style fairwater - also made by Shapeways..... The S-55 helicopters are sold in blocks of 4 - and they are simply stunning.... Here's a single example - all of 36mm (1.5in) long....... I just hope my failing eyesight and fat fingers can do it justice... All I need to do now is widen that decking aft of the fairwater........ watch this space. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 When she was converted to the transport role, Sealion's forward engines and torpedo tubes were removed to make room for storing equipment. I have filled in the recesses for the tubes...... The raised decking is made from plastic card - scored to match the kits decking.... The new decking attached - with the new fairwater temporarily in place..... .... with the helicopter on deck (just to see what it looks like).... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Would be a fun challenge to paint that tiny Sikorsky as meticulously as possible! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 I'm just worried that I won't find any 'Marines' white lettering in my spares box - stars and bars should be OK - but painting those windows etc black is going to be a challenge .... and my eyesight is failing - which combined with my fat fingers - is not conducive to micro-modelling. I'll do my best. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 That's a really cool subject! I have a photo of my father as LSO for a similar trial, but on an LST. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted October 26, 2018 Author Share Posted October 26, 2018 I'm doing all this by eye - I have no drawings - so it won't be 100% accurate..... Adding the side panels..... Blended in with filler.... It's exagerated in this view - but I might have got the raised decking a tad too high??? Here's a top view... A quick squirt of primer - and it doesn't look too bad.... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parche Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Awesome. Keep up the good work. I'm planning on doing Sealion in 1/144 as she was for operations of Vietnam. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainObvious Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 Another cool submarine project Ken. Nice progress. -co Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 Finished at last - my conversion of the AFV Club USS Gato into the USS Sealion in her transport role designated LPSS. I think I've made the raised decking too high. The Marines helicopter is a Shapeways 3D printed S-55...... It hasn't turned out as good as I would have liked - but I'm blaming failing eyesight and fat fingers... The helicopter main rotor blades are scratched, the crew figures are from a Fujimi set. Not perfect, but something a little different. More of my 1:350 scale subs are here. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Bravo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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