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Brian's 1/48 Dkm u-Boat Type Viic U-552

Sure is a lot of details in those compartments. Excellent work too Brian.
 
Thread owner
Ok done the wiring and I have decided I'm cr4p at soldering, Engine room next I'll be right at home :smiling3:

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I think the control room needs another light what do you think?
 
AN YES Bri another light def :thumb2: but lookin good matety
chrisb
 
I think the control is fine Brian. Can’t imagine they would want it too bright. Also, conserve light bulbs, they would be changing them frequently when under attack from DC’s!!
 
Thread owner
There is actually 3 lights in the control room its just one is behind the attack periscope you can only see it at an angle.
 
There is actually 3 lights in the control room its just one is behind the attack periscope you can only see it at an angle.
If you look at any operations room at sea and it'll be in almost total darkness with only the dim light from the consoles shedding light around. On a submarine, the only one who would have a dedicated light would be the navigation officer and then only over the nav plot table.
As an aside. even in ASW aircraft the non pilot end would be in darkness. In Sea Kings, we had blackout curtains against all the cabin windows, illumination was minimal.
 
There aren't enough words to say how fabulous this is going, so I'll just say WOW !! for now, (and go read a thesaurus to learn some more).... :thumb2: :thumb2: :thumb2: :thumb2: :thumb2: :thumb2: :thumb2:
 
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Been thinking ahead and am a bit concerned about drilling out the air vents on the clear acrylic side found some reports of it cracking. Anyone had any experience with acrylic?
 
Been thinking ahead and am a bit concerned about drilling out the air vents on the clear acrylic side found some reports of it cracking. Anyone had any experience with acrylic?
Acrylic is more brittle than polystyrene. Problems probably come from going in too fast and hard with the drill and not supporting the back of the part being drilled.
I would make sure the part is clearly Centre marked and properly supported at the back. Use a good sharp drill. Take it slowly without forcing the drill in, possibly drilling by hand rather than using a power drill. Finally, I would lubricate the drill site with something organic like candle grease.
 
Acrylic is more brittle than polystyrene. Problems probably come from going in too fast and hard with the drill and not supporting the back of the part being drilled.
I would make sure the part is clearly Centre marked and properly supported at the back. Use a good sharp drill. Take it slowly without forcing the drill in, possibly drilling by hand rather than using a power drill. Finally, I would lubricate the drill site with something organic like candle grease.
I would also recommend drilling a smaller hole at first and then enlarging it gradually and gently
 
Thread owner
Thx guys............. or I could paint them matt black as there recessed?
Bit more done very fiddly stuff
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I would also recommend drilling a smaller hole at first and then enlarging it gradually and gently
If I was going that way I’d use a five sided cutting broach Neil. They open out a hole without changing its position. You can very easily drift the hole out of alignment otherwise. A tapered needle file rotated in the hole will also work, just remember to turn it counterclockwise so it doesn’t pull itself inwards and jam or split the workpiece.
 
Brian, the air vents /water displacements slots have to be drilled out as you need to see daylight through the hull. Well worth doing.

A bit of a ball ache to do. Especially in smaller scales I did.

I drilled mine out with a small drill to start with and then filed them to the correct shape.
 
Thread owner
Yes Ron not a problem doing them, just a bit worried about the acrylic cracking as some is staying clear a crack would be impossible to hide.
Going to take quite a while to do as well
 
Yes indeed, not an easy task - and very repetitive.

For this application on my 1/72 U. Boat, I used a heat source (An old, hot precision screwdriver) for the first 'Penetration' of the vents. Not for the faint hearted, but its safe and prevents any cracking of the acrylic. Then clean up with a suitable file.
 
Brian,
I have just had a good catch up, and wow some great work going on mate. The illumination looks spot on to me.
 
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