Trumpeter 1:144 SSN-21 Seawolf

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While I was intending to wrap up a Meng Me 163B for the show here in September, I realize I just don't have the time. I do however have the time to finish this, the 1:144 Trumpeter Seawolf, which has already had most of the major work done. Since there is little detail involved, this will mostly be a painting exercise, which I love anyway. 

 

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About the only thing I had the foresight to do was to add some beefy stiffeners so I wouldn't get popped seams while sanding, which there was a lot of, with some still to do. 

 

 

 

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The state of the hull at present, though the con has had more work done since this photo was taken. 

 

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For the eventual display. I have no idea why I ordered two. 

 

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The scheme, "liberated" from a sim site of some sort. This represents one of the earliest iterations of the paint scheme, from what I can gather, and I like it a lot. 

 

 

 

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The sail at present. Still a bit more cleanup, then it'll be ready for paint. 

 

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Here's where Trumpeter really blew it, though that's forgivable, given that the design of this area is still considered secret, as far as I can tell. Stators are just simplified vanes, when in fact they're quite complex. Trumpeter would also have the impeller go on last when in fact it's captured between the two Stators. Impeller itself is also a joke, but I have no intention of trying to make it look better. 

 

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Like I said, impeller is terrible, but sandwiched between the two stators it shouldn't really be that big of a deal, and I'm unaware of a replacement. 

 

 

 

 

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Lots and lots of seam sanding with this one, as hull fit is far from stellar. I'm making excellent progress though, and should easily be ready for primer by this weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Base, as provided, has numerous pin holes to be dealt with. Model Monkey makes a plaque for this that may come in pretty handy. My cheapo Iwata will also get a complete deep cleaning to help with painting this beast. 

 

 

I also snatched a small pack of felt squares that I'll chop up and use to line the contact areas with to prevent the hull paint from getting all dinged up. They'll also come in handy for other applications as well. 

 

 

 

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Pin marks now all dealt with and base glued together. I've ordered some black texture paint for it (that'll cover any boo-boos as well as look pretty neat). I also ordered a cool Model Monkey nameplate for it. 

 

 

 

 

 

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One thing I'm frequently guilty of, is getting in a rush to glue things before I should. All six of these fins were added before I cleaned them up, so I now I have to do that while they're in place and it's now three times as much work as it should be, darn it. 

 

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More refinement now done to the sail. I may or may not add more 'scopes, assuming I can find them. Hard to believe two guys will fit into that small rectangular opening at the front, but that's what I intend to do. 

 

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It seems that some of the round items on the hull front are actually raised, so some punched discs fixed that right up. 

 

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Texture paint arrived today so I have now spritzed the base with it.