MV/HMNLS Macoma 1935/1942 by FreekS - 1:144 - 3D-print - RADIO

[KeithAug]

Very interesring to see how some of the internal features match side to side and how others don't. 

[FreekS]

@KeithAug weight wise that will be easy to compensate with ballast. My main worry is the high carrier deck on one side (see below)!

 

after some more sanding, spray filling and priming the hull looked good for painting. The primer had been airbrushed on and is dark grey. 
 

I carefully reviewed all the black/white photos of the tanker and carrier and ordered the color matched airbrush paints.

 

Then taped off the underwater ship and airbrushed that red.

The next day I retaped the hull and airbrushed the carrier side of the hull in light blue/gray. The dark grey primer on the tanker side is reasonable for a tanker.

 

After removal of the tape the hull looks good! Some touchup will be needed but I added the decks and deckhouses to get a first feel for the effect the “split ship” will have!

next step is to apply some clear coat layers as protection, then I can install the drivetrain to test if it has power enough,

and find out how much ballast is needed. 
in parallel is the work on sanding and using filler and primer on the deck parts.

[Jim Lad]

You're making great progress. Apart from height and/or weight issues with stability and maneuverability with the flight deck, do you have any visual concerns about the height of the aircraft carrier half overpowering the tanker?

 

John

[FreekS]

1 minute ago, Jim Lad said:

You're making great progress. Apart from height and/or weight issues with stability and maneuverability with the flight deck, do you have any visual concerns about the height of the aircraft carrier half overpowering the tanker?

 

John

I do John, but also the two masts on the tanker are going to look funny to an approaching swordfish. Somehow I want to make sure (probably through colours) that the tanker view dominates from one side and the carrier from the other. Not all issues are solved…..

[FreekS]

On the weight and balance issues, I cut 2kg of roof-lead into squares - but need to source another kg at least. 
 

went further with airbrushing of the main deck sections - with sea-blue- grey for the carrier superstructure, and dark grey for the tanker hull- with white deckhouses and lighter grey decks. This gives some contrast between the two sides so hopefully will lead to two distinct ship halves. Most of the smaller parts are printed and need sanding and painting next.

 

after using a starter set airbrush for 10 years I’ve treated myself to a new compressor with pressure regulator and moisture trap, and a H&S ultra airbrush. More possibilities to optimise - so takes some getting used to…

This last pic still has some tape on the white aft deckhouse as parts need another coat, and the tanker and carrier decks are not fitted together yet - hence the light grey centre stripe that will disappear later.

 

Also I cut up two kg of lead into squares as ballast, but need to source some more…

[Jim Lad]

That's looking good, mate!

 

John