Dunkel und Molch ( Fin. July 14, 2010 )

[Doc Yo]

These were started about a month ago for a 'submersibles' group build at the "Maschinen Kriefger" forums.
The Dunkel was inspired by Dunkleosteus, the Apex predetor of the Devonian seas, while Molch came from
a combination of one of the German "Klein U-boots" of the late war, and the bathyscape Trieste.

Dunkel, slapped together
Dunkel, astern
Molch, slapped together

And a little later, they're starting to come together.

D-Conning tower
Torpedo los!

Molch has under gone some slight changes-I decided to go with a conning tower more akin to
the German K-kraft. I am still undecided as to armament.

Torpedos?
Or mines?
Basic side view

The neck and camera head are optional-I have the notion the craft can or is be converted
to AI control at some point in its career. The main problem with the mines is that they're
huge in 1/72 scale-probably about ten feet ( 3 meters, more or less ) tall and close to half that
in diameter. They look good, thye just don't look right, if you follow me.

The props are mde from some cut down 1/144 airplane prop blades ( Stratocruiser ) tucked into a
short length of tube. Nice thing about close-ups, I can see where they need a little more polish.
Should get to the painting this weekend.

[sotoolslinger]

Cool we need more pics

[frank2056]

The Molch is my favorite, and definitely has the Maschinen Krieger look. What was the main body originally?
The ducted props look especially cool.

[Doc Yo]

 The hull for the Molch is the water tank for a cheap squirtgun-a sort of midget super-soaker.  I've been
looking to turn it into some thing vaguely Trieste-like for awhile now. I am pleased with the way the ducted
props came out.

Sotool-More pictures in a week or so.

[Doc Yo]

 Painting is mostly done: Molch will be getting a small diorama. My picture taking skills were taking a short
vacation last night-when I went to download, every blessed one of them was slightly out of focus, save
this one, which came out quite by accident. Still, I'll persevere. In the meantime, this simple teaser.

Dunkel Deep Down

[sotoolslinger]

Nifty. I took a look at all the other stuff on your photostream. Very cool use of found objects Do fishing bobbers stock with model glue or do you use CA?

[Doc Yo]

 I do use both, but I think regular styrene cement will work with most fishing bobbers-and the things are
wonderful cheap! I picked up a bag of 50 assorted sizes at Academy for about three dollars. I should note
that the bobbers I picked up do seem to be made of two kinds of plastic. The 'ball' seems to be good old
styrene, but he little button that you press to set the line to seems to be made of some kind of polyvinyl.
Takes about two seconds work to bend the wire up and slide the things apart, and heh heh, bobs yer
uncle...

And thanks you for the compliments!

[Doc Yo]

More images

Dunklel port
Bridge cu
Molch Dio basic
Molch Starboard

I have been experimenting a little-the Molch is brush work over primer, with the markings
brushed over a stencil made from slapping a decal onto blue masking tape. The whole was
hazarded with steel wool.

[frank2056]

The Molch is bigger than I thought (i was expecting 1 or 2 man sub in size). Great job on both, especially the "underwater" photography.

[Doc Yo]

 Aaaaand, finito!

  Molch is finished, ready for launch.

Long shot
Dockside & Crane base
C/U, Conning "tower"

  There are few more views on the Flickr site, but these cover  the basics. Enjoy, and thanks for
looking.

[John Howling Mouse]

Wow, this is studio scale filming maquette quality work!   Very, very cool!      

[Ed S]

Very creative and original.  And exceptionally well done models as well.



Ed

[frank2056]

Craig,
I like the weathering, especially on the crane. The figures look great, especially if they're 1/72 (I thought they were 1/35 until I re-read your first post).
Frank

[Doc Yo]

 John- Wow, thank-you! High praise indeed!

Ed- Thanks as well.

Frank-The figures were my greatest concern in this build. I was lucky enough to find some fairly nicely
sculpeted tankers in my spares. The two figures on the dock are from the old ESCI Panzer IV/70, one
of which had a choice of caps in addition to posable arms. Took just a little tweaking to get him leaning
forward on the rail. The Captain figure in the sub is from the Hasegawa Tiger 1 ( late type ), and I mixed
up a tiny bit of Aves to sculpt his mae west. Having them mistaken for 1/35 scale, well, you've made my day,
man, thanks, and thanks again.

Overall, I'm very pleased with how it turned out. The crane all but fell together-its a bit of rail from an old
MPC Space 1999 Eagle, panels from the flaps of a B-1 ( the cab ), the engine from a 1/48 bandai Schwimwagen,
and the ladder is cut down single track links from some Panzer IV kit, but I couldn't tell you what-I snagged
'em at the Wonderfest parts swap The base is the 'cockpit from the Heller 1/100 Apollo command module,
atop sections from the interior of the Lost In Space chariot ( Also snagged at WF ). The chains were from
an old tie-tack I sacrificed ( kind of a favorite, but I haven't worn a tie for anything since I got married,
almost eight years ago...) While I hand-brushed the finish on the sub, along withsome rust streaking from
some old steel wool ( which can give you rust pigment in no time ) the crane was airbrushed, first with alclad
steel, then salted, and oversprayed with pactra 'dirty white'. its only the second time I've tried salt weathering,
and I wish I'd gone a little heavier on the ladder rungs, but other than that, I'm pretty happy.

[Macal]

Hi!

I Didn't see this topic (Man, this forum is huge ), yet, but fortunatly found
This ship has really nice shape, a few details, add "wings", some little parts and it's ready  
Love it