I began this back in July and then it stalled out. Thanks to all of your help
here, I was finally able to finish this project.
It all started with some submarine hulls Mr Jeff Fontaine generously sent me a while back. There were a couple of things I needed to fix. One was this bit of piping that ran all the way along one side of the hull. I decided to add another similar length on the other side which would end out being windows for the passengers.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_01.jpg)
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_02.jpg)
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_03.jpg)
There were also a few gaps I covered with bits of sheet to make cargo doors. A lone shell collector from a 1/72 P-36 was used as the gondola.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_07.jpg)
A little bit of Putty-Sand-Repeat was used to cover up more of the engraved sub features.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_06.jpg)
The fins and rudders were cut from card stock. I wanted to do something a little different, so I cut them in what I hope look like 1930s advanced, streamlined shapes.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_fins.jpg)
The tip of a 1/144 drop tank replaced the sub prop on the tail.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_fin_detail.jpg)
So here things sat until I got your input.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_04.jpg)
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_08.jpg)
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_09.jpg)
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_05.jpg)
Your response to my plea for help got me inspired and a few days later, Comrade Airship was completed.
I had some markings left over from a 1/72 I-1 monoplane which seemed perfect. I also scrounged up some Cyrillic text (which probably translates as "No Step") that were a nice compliment.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_nose_01.jpg)
Of course, it had to have a big red star on the nose.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_nose_02.jpg)
The windows were made with thin black stripe decals that I went back over and lined with gray paint.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_under.jpg)
The prop discs were cut from clear plastic and the other red stars, codes and the stripes were from spare decals.
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_008.jpg)
Thanks again to Jeff for sending me the sub hulls and to the rest of you for your great ideas!
![](http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_006.jpg)
I couldn't have done it without you!
Brian da Basher