Imperial Japanese Navy Midget Submarine Type A

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:45 pm

Something Different ....I will be building this 1/72 Fine Molds Imperial Japanese Navy Midget Submarine Type A "Pearl Harbour"

Post by **rodrant** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:56 pm

A nice subject ! Looking very cool !

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 5:05 am

Another submarine, nice!

Post by **DBMiller** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 4:20 pm

Another sub! Good choice!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 10:17 pm

We're off.. not too many parts in this kit... do not know where I'm heading on this yet.. build a dio or leave it on a stand.

Hull is together, conning towering and torpedo bow section together. some sanding to todo on the hull

here are some inspration and reference photos along with the build progress photos

Possible diorama idea

some filling to do here

sanding here too

Post by **ToddS** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 12:06 am

This is a cool subject!! Look fwd to watchin this come together..

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:27 am

second update Jan 3, 2015. again not really to much to the build of this kit. Conning tower is on, forward torpedo section is attached. Installed aft control surfaces and very small cleats and eyes topside. filled the gap in the conning tower with perfect Plastic putty.

there is some pretty good mini detail on this kit

after some research My Diorama idea picture (below) may not be historically accurate. It seems from wikipedia at least. Kazuo Sakamaki the first Japanese prisoner of war and crew member of Ha-19 was found unconscious and taken prisoner only to awake in a hospital... we'll see, it would make an interesting diorama

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:31 am

The "Building Process" is just about complete. I still have to add the hatch in the conning tower and the propeller. I plan on scratch building the control surface reach rods probably from stretched sprue, they get installed on the aft hull to the control surfaces. Also have to install the rigging for the control surfaces ( cabling from the conning tower to the rudder), that will be later on on the build.. Next up is some sanding and filling in preparation for priming, still pondering the idea of a diorama or a nice display stand featuring a Japanese naval flag

installed the Bow net cutter and Propeller guard. put together the display torpedo

Post by **mincemeat** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:55 am

That's a cool kit man. What's the total length and where did you pick it up?

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:20 am

mincemeat wrote:That's a cool kit man. What's the total length and where did you pick it up?

it is just over 13" in length. I think I got it off ebay. there's alot of detail on it..

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:06 am

stretched some sprue to make the control surface rods, when fully cured,.I'll cut to size and clean up the attachment points on the hull and propeller guard. I used Mr, Hobby's Mr. Dissolved putty to fill the small gaps along the conning tower and torpedo bow sections. When dried a damp cotton bud with Mr. thinner will wipe away the excess.

Post by **EagleOnyx** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:04 am

Wow! That's an awesome obscure subject!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:52 pm

Cut the control Surface Rods to length

The Mr. Hobby Mr. Dissolved putty is dry. Took a moist cotton bud with Mr. Thinner and wiped away the excess.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:38 pm

Finally decided to use a display base vice going with a diorama, even though I really wanted to do the diorama. I'll give it a try in the future.
I"m using a 5X7 shadow box as the base. I have a carbon fiber rod that I cut two pieces from about 3 " long each . I drilled two holes in the top of the shadow box at the center of each side. Then very carefully, I marked the center point of the submarine and measured 3.72 inches from the centerpoint. Then proceeded to drill two holes in the bottom of the hull. Initially I wanted to use acrylic rods to display the sub over the shadow box. They aren't to easy to find. then figured I would have to drill larger holes without affecting the integrity of the plastic hull. So I decided to use the carbon fibre rod. I plan on having a design on the glass base of the shadow box. the hull is ready for priming.

Here is a mockup of the display base with sub

I actually just used a hobby knife to make the holes on the hull

Carbon rod

Post by **Les** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 3:46 am

This is really a neat looking little kit! Your build is coming along at a decent pace, and from the photos it does appear to have some good detail for the scale. I think your shadow box display will come out nice; thanks for sharing so many pictures of the build up man!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:14 am

Hull is primed with Tamiya fine primer gray.. ready for the base coat

deciding which color going to go with for the base?highlight color.
Vallejo model air 71.056 black grey #2 for the base and 71.251 NATO black #4 for the high lights. will use the other two hues for detail.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:00 am

Base coat and highlights are on.Once cured I'll start detail paint including chipping. Then apply a.gloss coat it in preparation for decals.

you can make out the highlights in the images, they are subtle. I will enchance them later on in the weathering steps

Post by **mincemeat** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:54 pm

Yeah, the black is a bit hard to see and make interesting. You did a great job, I can see the slight variation in tone.

I know someday I would like to do the F117, SR71 and the P61, but the blackness kind of concerns me. I have a 1/350 Seawolf sub on my shelf, that's partially built. I know the real version is all black, but the model version has hull red on the bottom, I assume to make it interesting. I'm conflicted about how to handle it.

Post by **rodrant** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:36 pm

Very nice , not easy to paint black stuff ...you did a very nice job , we can see some variations and looks nice .

It is always hard to paint this type of colors mate !

Post by **DBMiller** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:38 am

Here's an image I found while I was looking up refs. for my Yamato. Thought you might like it!

Kure_midget_subs1.jpg

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:10 am

Thanks Guys !!!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:38 pm

mincemeat wrote:Yeah, the black is a bit hard to see and make interesting. You did a great job, I can see the slight variation in tone.

I know someday I would like to do the F117, SR71 and the P61, but the blackness kind of concerns me. I have a 1/350 Seawolf sub on my shelf, that's partially built. I know the real version is all black, but the model version has hull red on the bottom, I assume to make it interesting. I'm conflicted about how to handle it.

The lower half hull of Modern American submarines including Seawolf should be Red Oxide anti-Fouling paint. Except for the Bow, where it is Black. the bow area houses the sonar dome and sonar arrays. the outside of the sonar dome is coated with special paint usually blackish/Dark gray. should be a lighter color then the rest of the hull which is a hue of black.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:04 pm

Added a third highlight color, RLM71 Black Green. Then Gloss coated with Alclad II Aqua Gloss. GREAT stuff !!

Post by **mincemeat** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:41 pm

rwsmith14 wrote:
mincemeat wrote:Yeah, the black is a bit hard to see and make interesting. You did a great job, I can see the slight variation in tone.

I know someday I would like to do the F117, SR71 and the P61, but the blackness kind of concerns me. I have a 1/350 Seawolf sub on my shelf, that's partially built. I know the real version is all black, but the model version has hull red on the bottom, I assume to make it interesting. I'm conflicted about how to handle it.
The lower half hull of Modern American submarines including Seawolf should be Red Oxide anti-Fouling paint. Except for the Bow, where it is Black. the bow area houses the sonar dome and sonar arrays. the outside of the sonar dome is coated with special paint usually blackish/Dark gray. should be a lighter color then the rest of the hull which is a hue of black.

Thanks a lot for that great information! Maybe I'll take it off the shelf and start working on it again.

Your sub is looking awesome!

I meant to buy the Aqua Gloss and ended up with the gloss lacquer. Do they serve the same function except Aqua is acrylic and the other is lacquer?

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:16 am

mincemeat wrote:
rwsmith14 wrote:
mincemeat wrote:Yeah, the black is a bit hard to see and make interesting. You did a great job, I can see the slight variation in tone.

I know someday I would like to do the F117, SR71 and the P61, but the blackness kind of concerns me. I have a 1/350 Seawolf sub on my shelf, that's partially built. I know the real version is all black, but the model version has hull red on the bottom, I assume to make it interesting. I'm conflicted about how to handle it.
The lower half hull of Modern American submarines including Seawolf should be Red Oxide anti-Fouling paint. Except for the Bow, where it is Black. the bow area houses the sonar dome and sonar arrays. the outside of the sonar dome is coated with special paint usually blackish/Dark gray. should be a lighter color then the rest of the hull which is a hue of black.
Thanks a lot for that great information! Maybe I'll take it off the shelf and start working on it again.

Your sub is looking awesome! I meant to buy the Aqua Gloss and ended up with the gloss lacquer. Do they serve the same function except Aqua is acrylic and the other is lacquer?

Yes, Alclad Aqua Gloss Clear (water based) and Alclad Klear Kote (lacquer).
I'm a Submarine Veteran so any other questions you may have about submarines, please feel free to ask

Post by **mincemeat** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:29 am

Awesome! Thank you for the offer, I will definitely keep that in mind! I have so many questions already, but I won't sidetrack your IJN sub posts any further. Thank you for your service!

Post by **panzerman** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:32 am

Terrific looking midget sub. I like the dark tones you used. The display base is awesome too.
Bill.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:35 am

panzerman wrote:Terrific looking midget sub. I like the dark tones you used. The display base is awesome too.
Bill.

Thanks

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:38 am

Starting to apply the decals. Didn't like the way some of them went down. So Plan "B".... Paint them on !!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:53 pm

All decals are on and the ones that did not cooperate are, painted on mainly three of the five white lines around the hull fwd and aft.Iit is gloss coated, Now drying and waiting for a pin wash to bring out the weld seam lines.

The display stand (Shadow box)is finished. I will not be photoing the display stand until the Final reveal. I really like how it came out.

Post by **mincemeat** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:56 am

Way to be man! Fantastic result!

Post by **Thumboy** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 6:28 am

Very nice work

I've not made a sub before but I imagine it's a bit like doing and aircraft without any wings

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:49 pm

Thanks Guys !!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:18 pm

Applied the pin wash to the weld seams. Did not come out as I wanted but it will work.

Initially the plan was to use Mig Dark Cold wash. It really did n't show up on the dark surface. I went with Vallejo Model air (thinned down) 71.053 Dark Seagreen (FS36118 Gunship gray). then wiped it down with white spirits. It come out Okay not really happy with it. it really did not stick to the small nooks and crannies of the minute weld seams. Once I apply the filters it will blend in and add to the weathered look.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:31 pm

Attached the counter rotating Propeller. airbrushed the propeller with Alclad II airframe aluminum. then oversprayed it with Alclad II Pale Burnt metal.Added chips with a Artist ink sliver pen. I might of went overbold on the chips and scratches,I will tone them down a bit before the filter.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:46 am

After mulling it over I toned down the chips and scratches. will post more pics tomorrow after the filter has been applied

Post by **rwsmith14** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:29 pm

Weathering, detailing is complete. just have to install the steering cable and rigging. Next photos will be the Final reveal. here are a few pics for a tease

Post by **Aliktren** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:33 pm

Very nice, love the rust effect. Hope your happy with it

Post by **mincemeat** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 9:34 pm

Excellent work! Can't wait to see your final pics with the rigging.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:30 am

Aliktren wrote:Very nice, love the rust effect. Hope your happy with it

Thanks Very Happy with it. !

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:31 am

mincemeat wrote:Excellent work! Can't wait to see your final pics with the rigging.

Thanks !!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 9:48 pm

She's complete !

See Reveal thread for more images

Post by **gaz45** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:40 am

great work there mate

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 11:11 pm

gaz45 wrote:great work there mate

Thank you !