1/700 USS Mobile Bay CG-53

[Calico Jack]

Just wanted to post up some old work of mine. I built this about 20 years ago and it was my first 1/700 scale in water diorama in ages.

The kit is a 1/700 DML USS Normandy. I modeled it as USS Mobile Bay. It was built straight out of the box. I chose to add a little action to it and added the two helos during a VERTREP in high seas. Used a bit of artistic license here...lol. The water was made with modeling clay and acrylic gel medium.

Photos were taken from an old flip phone of the time back then, so sorry for the very poor photo quality.

 

[Calico Jack]

A few more images.

 

[BarleyBop]

Awesome overhead shots!
And the prop wash, so much going on in that one dio!
I've tried painting waves, as in 'on canvas' and you really nailed it!

 

[Calico Jack]

@BarleyBop thank you Sir. It was quite a bit of action to put in on such a small model and space. It was very straightforward, but a lot of the detail went into the water effects. If it would have been a build for myself, there were definitely some more tricks I would have applied.

 

[kevin]

That came out really good, great water effects.

 

[Calico Jack]

@kevin Thank you Sir. I love the technique and effect I get from the mediums I use for it. There are so many ways to skin that cat, just glad I found a way that works for me I can enjoy...lol.

 

[BarleyBop]

I'd love to see how you get such a randomized and realistic 'spume' effect, can't imagine it is free hand!

 

[Calico Jack]

I'd love to see how you get such a randomized and realistic 'spume' effect, can't imagine it is free hand!

Actually yes, the base structure of the waves and swells are all hand formed. Once cured, it is painted the darkest of three colors in acrylic. (Pacific it's blue hues, Atlantic is green hues).
That is then cover with acrylic gel medium and using various brushes, some detailing is added. It cures clear, so then it's time to add the second lighter color adding depth and some motion. Then back to a more refined definition of action and breaks extending from the ship, and at lot of hand forming of the wake.

Once that cures, the final lightest shade is added to wave peaks and wake area. Topped off with the white blending in and stronger along the hull. The white and lighter blue it the wake are blended and it is all finished off with high gloss gel medium for the wet look. Tops of crest and white foam along the hull and larger portions of the wake are painted flat white.

 

[domer94]

great looking water... thats super challenging

 

[Sweet-Chuck]

wooooowwwwwww

 

[Calico Jack]

Thank you Gentlemen for the kind words. I'll have to consider doing a 1/350 warship in heavy seas soon. Hopefully then I can share the technique here.

 

[OldManModeler]

Magnificent!!! I don't see any wire. How are the helos suspended?

 

[Calico Jack]

Magnificent!!! I don't see any wire. How are the helos suspended?

There is a very small wire for the UH Sea Hawk and the Sea Stallion has a slack line on the VERTREP.