Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on July 10, 2014, 04:16:52 AM
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Here's a few shots of my latest, the W.W. II patrol airship of the Macon class, the U.S.S. Bacon.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon001.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon001.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon002.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon002.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon003.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon003.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon004.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon004.jpg.html)
The idea is that the U.S. Navy was forced to bring back rigid airships to counter Axis subs in the Battle of the Atlantic.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon005.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon005.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon006.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon006.jpg.html)
I figured it'd probably take a couple of years for an airship to get into service after Pearl Harbor, hence the red bordered 1943 markings and 3 color scheme.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon007.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon007.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon008.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon008.jpg.html)
Here's a picture of Hellcats in that scheme:
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/F6F-3_color_1943_small.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/F6F-3_color_1943_small.jpg.html)
The tail of my airship should probably be the lighter middle shade, but it just didn't look good that way. Fortunately, there seems to be room for interpretation given how that paint job could vary in the field.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon009.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon009.jpg.html)
I'd like to thank Mr Fontaine for sending me the sub hulls that made this all possible.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0010.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0010.jpg.html)
A spare Me-109 pylon was drafted into service as the gondola and cast-off landing gear legs were used for the prop shafts & struts. The tail feathers were cut from card stock. The radar nose is actually the spinner for a 1/72 Nieuport 17 biplane. Decals are a mix from the decal dungeon. The U.S. Navy titles are from a Matchbox Devastator and might be older than I am. Those eye-catching 1943 markings are from a sheet by Eagle Strike.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0011.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0011.jpg.html)
I was hoping to get this done in time for the The Snoops, Sensors, Spooks, & Spies GB (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?board=52.0), but no luck.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0012.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0012.jpg.html)
Work was busy and this project fought me every step of the way. I sanded and re-painted it twice and even the stand was an issue. I wanted to put a U.S.S. Bacon decal on it cobbled from spare letters but most of them folded and those that didn't remained stuck fast at odd angles. So even the doggone stand was sanded and re-painted. *sigh*
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0013.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0013.jpg.html)
Still, I'm glad it's done and now you see what a 1943 Macon class airship might look like.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0014.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/USS%20Bacon%20airship/USSBacon0014.jpg.html)
I'd tell you how long I spent on this, but that's still a touchy subject...
Brian da Basher
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However long it took and all the frustrations were worth it man!!! 8) :)
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As always, nice to see you making good use of those unwanted submarine parts :)
That three color scheme certainly makes for an unusual concept for applying camouflage to an airship.
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Oooo, that is nice :) Can the Salami class be far behind?
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Are the next two ships the U.S.S. Lettuce and the U.S.S. Tomato?
Love your airships Brian.
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Are the next two ships the U.S.S. Lettuce and the U.S.S. Tomato?
Love your airships Brian.
I'll volunteer to write some of the exploits of the "B.L.T. Hunter Killer Trio!" ;D
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That worked out really nice.
From some angles it could almost be the USS Flipper
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Oooo, that is nice :) Can the Salami class be far behind?
I like it :)
Brian, you got the touch for airships and blimps.
Also made me think of what features a Salami class might have.
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WOW! :icon_surprised:
That's fantastic, BdB. Possibly my favourite of all your builds. 8)
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Makes you wonder why the allies didn't go down that path in reality, great looking build.
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That looks great - very well done! :) 8)
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Glad to see another one of your fantastic airships, Brian! They always make me want to try my hand at a similar model.
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Very nice Mr de Basha, I have been away for a while and it is nice to see this; really looks the part.
Dare I say its always good to be macon bacon? ;D
(Oh GOD dont kill me Mr Moderator pleazze :o )
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Looks good, Brian! I won't make any boob or lunch meat jokes, but the camo reminds me of a killer whale.
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Dare I say its always good to be macon bacon? ;D
I think you've given me the name for my next airship!
I'm really glad you guys liked this one. Makes the challenges worth it!
Brian da Basher
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Awesome stuff, your airships are so cool !! 8) 8) 8)
It looks a bit like a spiffing aerial torpedo ............
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Dare I say its always good to be macon bacon? ;D
I think you've given me the name for my next airship!
Sounds like a airborne kitchen to me - I can imagine something akin to the Chinese Takeaway foodship from "The 5th Element":
(http://i.imgur.com/0HTRK.png)
But an airship version.
Maybe use something such as Ian McQue's Remora with a gas envelope attached above…
(http://industriamechanika.com/shop/images/large/Remora_01_LRG.jpg)
or perhaps Ian McQue's Waldo:
(http://industriamechanika.com/shop/images/medium/Waldo_MED.jpg)
Arrgghhh!!! Damn it! Now I have an idea forming that I can't get rid of…Damn you lot!!!!
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How about a post-war Oscar Mayer Wiener-zeppelin in red Dye #! and Mustard yellow. Cool build! Adios, Larry.
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Very cool idea Brian. Indeed - a useful use for old sub parts.
The only thing I have noticed is it's very solid with it's colour. I have no idea on how you would weather an airship, but it seems to need something to break it up a bit. Maybe some fading up top and on the sides - but not the bottom as it wouldn't see the sun - although if it did you know your in the pooh :o
But as I said - I have no idea how an airship would weather, so I'll just shut up and keep on wishing I could come up with something original like you have
Si
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very cool. Top work