A major re-evaluation of the Stygian build was indicated immediately upon our discovery of a far better kit from which to bash this S(3)-class sub: the Encore 400-scale Soviet "ShCh" mold:
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Therefore - despite some very good initial returns in the 350-scale build - now, after having backed away sufficiently for clear perspective, it was really a no-brainer to reset and begin again - this time in 500-scale - with the foundation being this kit. (Of which I also had 3x - costing next to nothing - already in my stash, as well!)
So, to begin: I corrected the up-swept foredeck:
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After assembly, scribing was then begun (left): from just above the topmost limber holes to just below the deck - for a start on the first of four major surgeries anticipated:
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In the above looking perhaps a bit more difficult than they really are, half of these - both the surgeries at the bow - were in fact already completed by the end of (after some experimentation - see below) a single work-session - summarized in the following montage:
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Second from top: the wedge material is shaved/gouged out, up to just below the deck, starting aft and working forward, to preserve support from the connection at the tip of the bow, until the last possible moment. Also in this step, carefully chisel off the wart-like foredeck bump (capstan?), - as deck must be perfectly flat, for the most reliable and easy repositioning/re-attachment, in the next step.
Third: again carefully protecting limber-hole details, etc., the foredeck is repositioned and reattached parallel with the former: secured and gap-fillied with superglue putty (recommended), which will dry/harden very quickly, to allow further shaping of the nose, as shown. Resemblance to the S(3) hull now really begins to "pop" - the lower torpedo tube door appearing as yet another feature located exactly right for the topmost torpedo contour (though with different, hatch-like door) on the S(3) boats.
At bottom: cuts are then started from either side of the forward keel tip, and extended all the way up to the chin, where they meet, and this triangle then wedged open as indicated, by a plastic block, secured/filled from there, aft - again with superglue putty (milky light gray). The forward tip is left open pending anticipated (widening for) insertion of assembled torpedo tubes/bow grating - similar to that done in the 1:350 build - except this time inserted (or at least we'll try) from the front.
Finally, the tip of the keel is extended forward with plastic block (white), after which the chin will still need a little reshaping/puttying, to the proper angle for an S(3)-class - but the major work is finished, and already (even with open "mouth" somewhat resembling a sperm whale), this nose is recognizeably that of an RN boat.
Likewise for results obtaining from two other brief trials, which - having several of these (dirt-cheap) kits on hand - I also undertook:
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And a final trial (bottom) involved removing the top casing walls, and bow tip, completely: the idea here being to flip the former and swap sides, in order to relocate their limber holes up just below the deck edge, as on many S(3)- and (especially the) T-class - boats. Despite great care, however, at least half the limber-hole detials were signficantly damaged in this attempt, again pretty much wiping out benefit sought. Still, for a T-class - whose deck and casing flare in/out, and slope up/down at several points - extensive reworking of the top casing is required in any event, and so this last test remains a prime candidate for restarting my Trenchant, likewise in 1/500 scale.
So, we have a very promising reset/re-start of my Stygian build - and very possibly also my Trenchant build - in 1/500 scale, thanks to this serendipitous little Encore ShCh kit.
Cheers,
- Matty
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