Akagi's last hurrah

[modelcrazy]

Well guys, my Akagi’s last port of call was Supercon, Fort Worth’s annual contest today.

After winning third at the Nationals in 2021, People’s choice award in Boise in 2021, a blue ribbon at the Texas State Fair in 2022, she sailed away with first place in her category, Best WWII Subject, Presidents Award and Best in Show! She will now be docked at my house and eventually, hopefully be tied up at a museum somewhere in the future.

She caused many hours of frustration, many spent dollars, and many hours of enjoyment.

[406 Silverado]

A BIG round of applause is due for this splendid array of awards Steve. That must have felt really good to go out with a bang like that for the ol' girl and the awards are truly well deserved. Congratulations bud.......you worked hard for those.

[stikpusher]

Every awards is well deserved Steve! She has made the tour, swept away the opposition, and come back to homeport covered in glory. Well done!

[Leon]

Well deserved awards Steve!

[kyledehart5]

A stunning build!! And many congratulations. All well deserved

[buddho]

First of all, congratulations on all the well deserved awards for this spectacular build.

And second, she is a beauty...the water and ship make a realistic diorama in motion.

Third...can we see more pictures?

[modelcrazy]

Buddhao, yes sir. I'll post the originals I took in 20.
Thank you all.

[406 Silverado]

Sept 10, 2023 9:44:19 GMT -5 modelcrazy said:

Buddhao, yes sir. I'll post the originals I took in 20.
Thank you all.

It's good to see this beauty again Steve. Hope all is going well for you bud.

[Joe Rix]

Way to go Steve! Your model of the Akagi is more than deserving. It is just refreshing to see your time and effort get rewarded. You are the man.

Folks, I followed Steve's efforts as he bult this and then got to see it in person at the Vegas Nats. It is an amazing work of art. It is also a testament to the incredible skills, talent and patience Steve exhibits.

[Real G]

Steve,

Congratulations on a most successful tour! Your Akagi is an amazing model, and deserves its many awards. If you can find a museum to permanently berth her, that would be most fitting!

[Medicman71]

Very well deserved!! It's an awesome build!

[keavdog]

Wow congratulations Steve! I love that build. Well deserved.

[deafpanzer]

Way to go! I am with Buddho... more pictures! And how dod you make the stunning base too!

[jeaton01]

Well done, Steve. Many Huzzahs!

[handiabled]

Congratulations! Well deserved from your efforts

[modelcrazy]

Ah yes, my water.
It's a simple process but I think all my time studying wave action onboard Coast Guard cutters helps in the realism.
The base is hard Styrofoam, cut into waves. Painted blue with acrylics and light blue where the ship is stirring the water. Cotton is added using acrylic varnish then allowed to dry. Several coats of acrylic varnish is then added to give the water depth. The underlying cotton begins to look like disturbed water at this point. Cotton is again added to the wake and along the surface tension of the hull, which also serves to fill the space between the base and the ship. I then add a bow wave made from acrylic medium and cotton.

[modelcrazy]

Here are some close-ups of the Akagi



    

 
 
 

[deafpanzer]

Holy smokes! I really love the figures and running propellers on the fighter! Thank you so much for sharing more pictures and answering my question on how to make the water base. +1 for you!