Greif8 Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 This is a project I have been working on since early May this year; it is the Hobby Boss 1/350 scale SMS Seydlitz. I backdated it to resemble how it looked shortly after it was commissioned in late May 1913. To do so I had to scratchbuild the entire torpedo net system including the net itself, the shelf, the outriggers and the rigging. I did not replicate everything as I did not see how to do so in 1/350 scale - the actual system had an incredibly complex network of cabling and rigging - and I opted to scratch about 50-60% of that. The scene is set in July 1913 in Kiel Harbor, during what is known as "Kieler Woche", "Kiel Week"; an event that occurs to this day, 138 years after its initiation in 1882. Having been recently commissioned the SMS Seydlitz was the centerpiece of the 1913 Kieler Woche which took place that year during the last couple of days in June through the first few days of July. During Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign the event was very important as he loved all things naval and the 1913 gala was the perfect opportunity to show off Germany's newest battlecruiser. I opted to show the ship in near pristine condition both because it had been very recently commissioned and because I am sure it would have presented a "spic and span" appearance given it's place in the regatta week. The Seydlitz would go on to have a very eventful wartime career during WWI. She took part in several raids, survived a hit that burned out both rear turrets, killing 165 men during the Battle of Dogger Bank. During the Battle of Jutland, or Skagerrak if you are German, the Seydlitz contributed to sinking the HMS Queen Mary and possibly the HMS Invincible, both British battlecruisers. She suffered heavy damage herself being struck by 26 heavy caliber shells and a torpedo, barely making it home with some 5300 tons of seawater in her hull. After the war she was interned at Scapa Flow with most of the rest of the High Sea Fleet, suffering a sad end by being scuttled by her own crew while interned in 1919. The first set of photos shows some of the construction, this kit had a LOT of photo etch, and that - along with scratching the torpedo net system and developing a water scene is why it took so long to finish. I can work with fiddly photo etch for about 1.5-2 hours before I have to stop. Both masts and all there associated parts belong to an AM set by Infini Models. Next up is the completed build. I used a piece of hard foam cut to size for the base. I cut out a section for imbedding the hull and simulated the water using acrylic paint mixed to give a greenish-blue, or bluish-green, depending on your eyes, that is typical for Kiel Harbor water during the summer. After the base color was set, I dry brushed sections of it to replicates different lighting effects by the sun. I then coated it with three layers of acrylic gel, forming the gel into small wavelets. After drying was then given two coats of future and topped off with two coats of Tamiya X22 to give it a nice sheen. Following are some overall shots. As you can see, the finished diorama is a bit too big for my photo tent. Following are some mid-distance shots. The wooden deck is also an Infini product. And finally, some close ups. Rigging this thing made rigging my Albatros DVa look like an exercise in relaxation! Part of the crew rehearsing the line up for the big photo shot that took place during the actual event. Dang, I spic of dust on the torpedo net! The photo that inspired the diorama. Probably taken during the mid-morning with the sun shining full on the port side. Hope everyone enjoyed the photo series! Ernest Kagemusha, jenshb, Basta and 13 others 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Lovely work for sure! Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Stunning! Kev Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenshb Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Excellent and crisp work. Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Owens Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 This belongs in a museum!!! Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Mighty impressive Ernest, how long is she? Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Very nice work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutik Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Very nice build! Fascinating, how empty the decks are compared to WW2 battleships, Scharnhorst f. e., which were literally cluttered with every kinf of equipment. Always liked the story how Seydlitz went home driving backwards after the Battle of Jutland, with the stern ahead, because the bow now lay so deep in the water it was cutting under the waves when moving ahead... Regards - dutik Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 That offset turret is sure an odd feature. I like odd! Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 Ernest, my friend! Beautifully done! An inspiring build of an inspiring warship! That's really a great job, and I appreciate the history you've given us. I have this kit, and will build it someday. I started on Grosser Kurfurst a couple years ago, and my mojo got sapped when my torpedo nets failed to look the way I desired. I will have to get it back underway soon. I have to retrofit the kit with the earlier type mast at Skaggerak. Merry Christmas! Gaz Greif8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greif8 Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 On 12/23/2020 at 4:55 PM, Out2gtcha said: Lovely work for sure! Thank you very much Brian! Ernest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greif8 Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 22 hours ago, LSP_Kevin said: Stunning! Kev Thank you Kev! Ernest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greif8 Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 22 hours ago, jenshb said: Excellent and crisp work. Thank you sir! Ernest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greif8 Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 22 hours ago, Rob Owens said: This belongs in a museum!!! Thank you Rob! It will probably be auctioned on Ebay in 5-6 months. Ernest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greif8 Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 20 hours ago, Kagemusha said: Mighty impressive Ernest, how long is she? Thank you very much sir! The ship itself is a bit over 57cm long and the diorama is slightly over 78cm long. Ernest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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