Alkmaar, Netherlands. October 2021. Where did all the time go? Painting & Weathering.
Suddenly, it's October and the U-Boat was still in the WIP case. I did have the masking tape on it so that I could spray the bottom part of it and the saddle tanks, but that was it. I can't even remember when I put the masking tape on it.
Anyway, a spurt of inspiration hit me and before I knew it I had the airbrush out and was attempting to spray the bottom part of the boat. Only thing is that the paint was an awful lot thicker this time. Probably almost a year since it was last used on Mischa's boat. I had to spoon it into the cup of the airbrush and then add water to try and make it thin enough to spray. It didn't appear to go on too well, being so thin it was more like a wash. That was disappointing. The following day I removed the masking tape as I had decided to paint it by hand rather than use the airbrush. Low and behold, it didn't look too bad.
Instead of using the airbrush to highlight the bottom, I simply highlighted it with the brush. The upper surfaces I dry brushed with a very light grey, almost white in colour.
At this point, the highlights on the bottom of the boat appear extremely stark and bright. However, from Mischa's U-Boat, I know that the gloss varnish and weathering stage will tone this down quite drastically. I also noticed that I'd forgotten to paint the life belts and the wooden planking on the inside of the conning tower. I also took the opportunity to paint the MG gun on the conning tower and the breach and the muzzle of the deck gun. Just to help break up the monotony and give it a bit of focus.
Close-up of the conning tower prior to gloss varnish and weathering. The simple dry brushing has picked ut the rivets really well.
The following day I gave the whole model a good coat of Lucky Gloss Varnish, by Ammo Mig. Then set the model inside the WIP case to dry and be protected from dust etc.
Once the varnish was completely dry I then began with the weathering process. First, a Grey Wash for Kriegsmarine Ships from AK-Interactive was applied to the upper surfaces. After a few minutes, I used a brush dipped in Enamel Odourless Thinner by Ammo Mig to remove the excess wash. This was still too light for my liking, so I went with another wash, this time using Neutral Grey, also by AK Interactive. Again the same procedure as before was used and the excess was removed where needed.
Satisfied with the state of the upper body, I then used the Grey & Blue Camouflage Paneliner from AK-Interactive for the bottom section of the hull and also the flood holes alongside the upper hull. I eventually also used this on the deck for extra oomph.
Next, I used a Rust Streaking Oilbrusher from Ammo Mig to add the rust stains on the hull. This time I used the saw-bladed brush which gives a nice ragged pattern to the rust as you reduce it with the enamel thinners.
Weathered and rusted up.
Close-up of the middle section. Looking well worn.
From above, a better appreciation of the weathering, and also of how small this thing is, especially when compared to Mischa's beast.
Close-up of the central section of the boat with the deck details standing out.
So what is left to be done on the model now? I need to create the cables at the front and the back of the U-Boat. Since this model actually has the cable holders in place, unlike Mischa's model, I guess I don't really have a choice. However, I need to put the boat into its base, so the question then arises, do I base it and then do the cables or do the cables and then base it? Decisions, decisions.
I have a nice piece of blue foam ready to use for the base. Hopefully, I can find a photo frame of the same size, or close, so I can use that instead of having to make a box from scratch.