jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

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JohnRatzenberger
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jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by JohnRatzenberger »

This will probably be the odd-man out in this GB. It's more related to the science fiction of the 19th century, the Jules Verne era, than anything, although I guess the "steampunk" of today could also try to claim it. I'm not a steampunk fan -- I don't find it as interesting as the 19th Cent Sci-Fi it purports to come from.

Anyway, I spotted this at the IPMS/USA Nationals this month. Not only was it in a vendor booth but also entered in the contest where it took a first in category.

Image

As you can see, resin and photo-etch It is all quite well done and fortunately simple.

Image

Image

There is lots of detail inside the "sub" but you'll also see that little is visible through the two "eyes". I am thinking about hinging the "head" or something.

Image

I really need to figure a "scale" for this and see about an "aquanaut". If you look you'll see the hatch and periscope are atop the body and not in the compartment. There is a hatch in the back wall which explains how one might get in/out, but not how the periscope is used. Maybe I'll just assume away that problem ....

The biggest problem will be painting the exterior -- it screams to be copper plate and brass fitting, all properly weathered.

Some kind of light on the interior would be neat, but I hesitate to drill holes for wires into this & risk shattering it ...
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by SJPONeill »

That is very cool - good score!!

It does beg for internal lighting and I'm wondering whether, instead of drilling it, you could excavate a hollow in the area behind the 'cockpit' and bleed some lights from an LED there in to the cockpit...the excavation hole could be covered by the ventral 'fin' assembly (if that's what's at the bottom of your parts pic)...I've found resin to be less tolerant of drilling but very tolerant of chewing away with a rasp bit...
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by PaulBradley »

I saw that model as well, John - very nicely done.

It's somewhat reminiscent of the mechanical fish in Stingray, don't you think?
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by Ernie »

That is a beautiful kit, I had the chance to look over one about a month back. If I could, I would definately get one.
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by SJPONeill »

Still advertised here: http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/fichtenfoo-m ... -services/;

A bit pricier than I would have thought but them limited run and high way-cool factor...the Hornethopter is much tempting...
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by Dirkpitt289 »

That is soooooo cool. Never seen that before. Can't wait to see it built
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by BWP »

jRatz wrote:I really need to figure a "scale" for this
Umm ... it says 1/35 on the box lid, doesn't it?

It's certainly different! It's the paint job that will be key. I agree, various copper shades are clearly called for!
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by smethwick »

Brilliant, ...big fan of "steampunk" and this fits right in for me...


looking forward to this build..
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by jssel »

Looks like you found Nemo, John.
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by JohnRatzenberger »

BWP wrote:
jRatz wrote:I really need to figure a "scale" for this
Umm ... it says 1/35 on the box lid, doesn't it?

It's certainly different! It's the paint job that will be key. I agree, various copper shades are clearly called for!
:oops: Talk about looking but not seeing !!!! Thanks for pointing that out !! :oops:
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by JohnRatzenberger »

SJPONeill wrote: A bit pricier than I would have thought ....
Yes, if half the stuff I was looking for had been there, this fish wouldn't have been caught ....
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by MerlinJones »

Ace!
Someone obviously likes Stingray.

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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by kruaxi »

Saw in the web, think it's astounding
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by JamesPerrin »

Cool!
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Re: jRatz: Sci-Fi "Submersible" aka Fish

Post by philp »

It is a nice little kit. Here is a pic of the one in the Contest.

Image

While it did take first, it was not my number one in the category (yes, I judged it) but the other two judges liked it better than what else was there so gold it got.

Looking forward to seeing your interpretation of it John.
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