cjwalas
02-02-2009, 11:34 PM
A quick (too quick!) build of the Draf Model "FORELLE", the 1903 grandfather of the German U-boat. Really, it's more of a build report as I did this one last month and just didn't have the time to post!
10140
The model is 1/50 scale, which seemed a little small to me, so I upscaled it to somewhere around 1/32. The original is printed on high-quality, glossy stock and comes with laser cut formers. Very nice.
Now I have to say here and now that I made a big boo-boo. I built the main hull in the light of the TV set. What I couldn't see there, but which shows up all too well in the flash, is that the hull sections do not align according to the seam! This was my mistake. I assumed it was like all the planes I'd done where the sections all have the seam along the bottom. Doh! This kit hides some of the seams behind the torpedo tubes on the side and under the deck. There are subtle outlines to align the pieces accordingly (which I could not see in the dim light). Fortunately, I had planned to paint this kit anyway. I had originally planned to accent each rivet with a spot of glue, but in the few photos I could find of the real sub, there was no hint of a rivet anywhere.
10141
The main hull is a series of conical tubes, very similar to most airplane kits. The fit was excellent on the hull, with one exception. I believe it was piece number 7. It was too small. Now I may have gotten something wrong, but I did test fit and double check the piece before assembling. So there is about a 1/16" gap between this and the next piece.
10142
The exterior torpedo tubes assemble well and the fit is very good. The fins, rudders, deck, etc, are straightforward as well. The kit has printed pale blue portholes which I chose to cut out and glaze with drops of glue instead.
10143
1014410146
I haven't finished painting it yet, just a coat of black and a little drybrush to define some form;
10150
10151
An enjoyable build, with the exception of the one piece that didn't fit. The Forelle ("trout") is an interesting looking sub and should look fine sitting next to a few more sub models....better get to them soon!
Chris
10140
The model is 1/50 scale, which seemed a little small to me, so I upscaled it to somewhere around 1/32. The original is printed on high-quality, glossy stock and comes with laser cut formers. Very nice.
Now I have to say here and now that I made a big boo-boo. I built the main hull in the light of the TV set. What I couldn't see there, but which shows up all too well in the flash, is that the hull sections do not align according to the seam! This was my mistake. I assumed it was like all the planes I'd done where the sections all have the seam along the bottom. Doh! This kit hides some of the seams behind the torpedo tubes on the side and under the deck. There are subtle outlines to align the pieces accordingly (which I could not see in the dim light). Fortunately, I had planned to paint this kit anyway. I had originally planned to accent each rivet with a spot of glue, but in the few photos I could find of the real sub, there was no hint of a rivet anywhere.
10141
The main hull is a series of conical tubes, very similar to most airplane kits. The fit was excellent on the hull, with one exception. I believe it was piece number 7. It was too small. Now I may have gotten something wrong, but I did test fit and double check the piece before assembling. So there is about a 1/16" gap between this and the next piece.
10142
The exterior torpedo tubes assemble well and the fit is very good. The fins, rudders, deck, etc, are straightforward as well. The kit has printed pale blue portholes which I chose to cut out and glaze with drops of glue instead.
10143
1014410146
I haven't finished painting it yet, just a coat of black and a little drybrush to define some form;
10150
10151
An enjoyable build, with the exception of the one piece that didn't fit. The Forelle ("trout") is an interesting looking sub and should look fine sitting next to a few more sub models....better get to them soon!
Chris