Sunken Ship

wikxie · December 20, 2012, 01:12:03 AM

Hi all,
has anyone seen any models done of sunken ships, like a sunken Titanic or Bismark? I'm wanting to do a model of a US Navy WWII destroyer that I dived on in the Solomons, as it is now*, and I'm looking to get a few ideas of how to give it a suitable sunken wreck finish.
cheers
Simon

*-I've already built a model of it as it was before she went down. Oh, and by the way, it is the USS Aaron Ward DD483.

The Wooksta! · December 20, 2012, 02:23:45 AM

If you mean on the bottom - encase it in clear perspex and fill with blue shower gel. Looks very effective.

Mossie · December 20, 2012, 02:59:46 AM

I think that's how this ditched aircraft was done, scroll down to just past halfway down the page:
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,26546.30.html

Another way to do it would be with clear resin that you can buy for making water effects, lightly tinted. This is an excellent diorama of a Sherman abandoned in shallows:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1303378895/Saipan+beach

There are companies that offer materials for terrain modelling, Woodland Scenics Woodland Scenics is one I can think of off the top of my head. Have a look at Railway model suppliers, they usually have all sorts of things that would be useful such as lichen for creating weeds, flock for algae, rubble for debri build up etc.

PR19_Kit · December 20, 2012, 10:10:57 AM

Didn't someone win the IPMS UK Nationals with a model of the sunken 'Titanic' some years back? The model, in it's case, was HUGE, maybe 3-4 feet long as I recall.

The Wooksta! · December 20, 2012, 12:15:30 PM

Back in 2000? Titanic bow section in 72, as it was when found by Bob Ballard? No, maybe he won his class, but he didn't win best in show. He got beaten to the post by something else. Thought he was robbed, personally.

He's an artist, Stuart Williamson. Got three of his prints, although I've yet to have them framed.

http://website.lineone.net/~stu_williamson/

Bow section model:
http://website.lineone.net/~stu_williamson/Web%20pages/Wreck%20new%20page.htm

t was on of the most stunning models I have ever seen. Haunting too.

PR19_Kit · December 20, 2012, 12:23:01 PM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on December 20, 2012, 12:15:30 PM
Back in 2000? Titanic bow section in 72, as it was when found by Bob Ballard? No, maybe he won his class, but he didn't win best in show. He got beaten to the post by something else. Thought he was robbed, personally.

<snip>

Bow section model:
http://website.lineone.net/~stu_williamson/Web%20pages/Wreck%20new%20page.htm

It was on of the most stunning models I have ever seen. Haunting too.

Yep, that's the one. I've got the Ballard book and it was like looking at in 3D and magnified by 10!

wikxie · December 20, 2012, 10:45:08 PM

Thanks guys, that's great.
Wow that Titanic model is awesome, slightly more ambitious than the 1/700 scale model I'm planning but those pics will be very helpful in getting the look I'm after.The FW190 in the fish tank is pretty neat, too, but I think I'll just go with setting the model on a base representing the sandy bottom.

Mossie · December 21, 2012, 01:26:03 AM

Found a good work in progress of HMS Penelope on Model Warships, not completed but shows some useful techniques. They might be good people to get in contact with.
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=84982&hilit=wreck

NARSES2 · December 21, 2012, 07:06:24 AM

I remember that Titanic model

Was it really that long ago

Must admit I thought it had won best in show

Pellson · December 23, 2012, 10:25:15 AM

There's a Swedish chap who has made a few dioramas of sunken ships rather well. Maybe you will find some inspiration from him.

>>LINK<<

dumaniac · December 23, 2012, 04:37:26 PM

I have done Ballard's Bismark on the bottom some years ago. I assume you are modelling a sunken ship at some depth so you don't have to worry about the sea-surface. I used a board with spak-filler (well that's the Australian name for the powder to fix holes in walls). Then the motor tool an thin the back of walls, funnels, turrets etc. then a combo of grey and rust etc. Bismark was great to model because to holes in decks so you could use plasticard to make several exposed levels below deck.

Same technique used on a surface damage - if you type in "Prince of Wales" in Hyperscale - you can wee the same techniques (you might have guessed I like this particular battle - I have a Hood also waiting to be done). Surface survivers can have smoke and flame damage which submerged ships don't - fire damage is done differently.

I have never done the resin thing so I can't advise on that.

Good luck and enjoy

Bernie