1/350 Z-25 with Flyhawk Superdetail **FINISHED**

[mrversatile]

After building a low parts auto I decided to return to the micro construction of ship modeling. Although I felt I needed to do a ship to keep those particular skills sharp, I didn't want to go too big and get into a long drawn out project. The Z-25 from Trumpeter coupled with the dedicated Flyhawk super detail upgrade would fit the bill. I got the kit for about $20 so the addition of the detail kit should take care of any shortcomings. I also have the Lifecolor paint set for the Kriegsmarine colors, and because it is a full hull kit I will probably add some deep swells to the planned seascape. This will negate the need to cut the hull. Right now I have plenty of outside obligations to get in the way, (Getting Married, honeymoon, preparing for a promotional exam at work, and painting the exterior of my house to name a bunch), but with any extra time I will be piddling away. Hope you can check in once in a while to see the slow progress .

[TRM]

Nice one!! Looking forward to seeing you plug away on this one Gil!!

[Leon]

I'll be checking in Gil!

[wing_nut]

Should be a good workout for the the micro skills for sure. And fun for us to watch.

[deafpanzer]

Good lord!!! Another ship?!?!?! This is going to be fun... count me in too!

[wbill76]

Pulling up a chair!

Just don't tell the fiancé that you're taking a kit and Xacto knife with you on the honeymoon and you'll be fine!

[mrversatile]

Thanks for checking in guys. Bill, I can't hide anything from her. She is a sport, even went to a few Nats. with me. Hope to get this thing started soon.

[mrversatile]

Ok, wedding is over and house is painted. Now just studying for a promotional exam so I was able to get something done on this. The Flyhawk set provides all new decking with detailed deck plates that needs to be applied over the current parts after a bunch of detail needed to be removed. Things like the mine rails, hatches, anchor chains, and other raised detail. The deck plates were added and then the six piece photoetch replacement mine rails. All replacement parts for the aforementioned will be added later. I also sanded down the raised boot stripe demarcation in preparation for priming.

[Leon]

Congrats on the wedding Gil!

Nice work on the decking.

[TRM]

Excellent work Gil! Nice to see you getting back into the swing of things! Looking forward to seeing you bite into more of this one soon!!

[bbrowniii]

Great start on the build! I love those little warships.

Congrats on the wedding!

Now that your house is painted, why don't you come over and throw a coat on my garage.

[wbill76]

Welcome to the bench Gil! Looking good so far.

[Tojo72]

Good start on this one.

[mrversatile]

Thanks guys! Believe it or not I was able to actually paint the hull and main deck. I did something different and preshaded the hull before applying the base color. I like the effect bc many ships' hulls aren't monochromatic and have some kind of wear or shadowing when viewed. Plus, when some weathering is added later, should complete the effect. I elected to paint the hull red along with the boot stripe even though most of this is going to be hidden in the swells. Some should show though so it had to be done. I also primed and painted all the photoetch, as is my usual practice. I have mixed feelings about the Lifecolor paints. Colors are good but the application with an airbrush is kind of problematic and there are easier paints to apply. Now on to the superstructure.

[wbill76]

Looking good Gil! Always a key step to get the hull done and out of the way. The pre-shading will definitely pay off with the weathering later on.

[Leon]

Hull is looking good Gil!

[mrversatile]

I am finally back after a very busy late summer. A quick list of things that occupied my modeling time included: Finish painting the exterior of my house, studying for a promotional exam, working 55-60 hours per week, joining a men's baseball league, getting married and going on honeymoon, building a spray booth, and finally finishing my basement where I now have a dedicated modeling area. Here is a quick picture of my new modeling room:



Ok now back to the Z-25; I am now knuckle deep into photo-etched parts. Most of the work I have been doing involves the building up the Torpedo deck. All of the surface details on the bulkheads like doors, venting, fire hoses, piping, and hoists were replaced with photo etch. All the metal textured decks are also photo etch. I have also coated the painted surfaces with Future and accentuated the details with a dark gray wash. Oh yeah, I also mounted the hull in an elevated fashion prior to creating the swells it will be surfing through.















Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. More updates soon

[Leon]

Congrats on getting the cave finished and nice progress on the Z-25!

[wbill76]

Destroyer is coming along nicely. Glad to see it get back on the bench.

[wing_nut]

Good to see this back in the mix here. Looks great.

[mrversatile]

In case you have been wondering if I had made any progress the answer is: Yes, slow progress bc if all the details added courtesy of FlyHawk. I have used their product before and really like the attention they pay to even the smallest of details. For example, the square life rafts, which are provided in resin, can accept up to 6 pieces of photoetch including hand holds, mesh, and paddles. This greatly enhances what is normally seen on finished models. Oh, I forgot to mention that there are 45 of them. Nearly every kit part is replaced or improved but the difference is really turning this marginal kit into a special one. The parts I added include mines, depth charges and racks, ammo boxes, ladders and stairways, life rafts, cable reels, as well as glazing all portholes and windows with liquid window maker.  Now I am completing the main batteries (with metal barrels), putting the stacks together, and replacing the surface detail on the bridge superstructure. Check out the pics and let me know what you think.

[Leon]

WOW..... All the added detail looks fantastic Gil! Keep up the great work.

[wbill76]

Looking pretty sharp there Gil, nice work on the small stuff!

[deafpanzer]

I am with guys... WOW! Great work on the small details! Glad you are still around too!

[dierk]

Very impressive Gil! Finding German tool clamps in 1/35 a challenge I know for a fact the fiddly stuff you're dealing with would drive me (even more?) nuts - for that alone karma + 1.

[adt70hk]

Jan 14, 2016 5:55:06 GMT -5 dierk said:

Very impressive Gil! Finding German tool clamps in 1/35 a challenge I know for a fact the fiddly stuff you're dealing with would drive me (even more?) nuts - for that alone karma + 1.

Gill

Couldn't agree more!!  That level of detail at 1/350!!! Mind blowing!!  1/72 does my head in some time!!!

Keep it up.

Andrew

[mrversatile]

Thanks guys, sessions are usually shorter because the concentration factor is tiring but I just return after a short hiatus. For the record, I still hate those 1/35 tool clamps, they give me more trouble than they are worth at times.

[mrversatile]

I have another progress update. I have completed the main armament whilst adding metal barrels, photo etch updates and scratch built "blast bags" made with acrylic gel medium. The forward gun is a closed twin mount. The two aft mounts are single and open. Both have life rafts mounted on their sides in racks. Also, I finished the aft funnel and added some shadowing to emulate the skinned ribbing in addition to photo etch diffuser and hand holds. Finally, I have also started the bridge superstructure which includes all new bulkhead detail, photo etch decking with painted wood, ladders, etc.

[Leon]

Nice progress Gil! Everything is looking really good.

[TRM]

Some tidy work there Gil! Nice to see you getting this back to the bench! Fantastic job detailing the guns!