Tigerlead

Yaaaay all done (yet again), I read the rules hope I understood them correctly, yes that’s a rear view 😊

Also if something is wrong with my entry please let me know! (Considering the incident and the new timeline alotted i would really apreciate it to be informed if my entry doesn't corespond to all the rules or if more pictures are needed or anything - Thank you!)

Small info note - in the video the submarine / abyss section has a reddish hue, it is because of the red blanket in front, could not be helped, as without it the double reflection from the table (glass paned table) and case made it impossible to see any detail. Thank you for your understanding.

Sooo here goes!

Project Title: "HUNTING THE HUNTERS / SILENT PREDATORS" — Truk Lagoon, 1944 (a What-If Tactical Engagement)

Scale: 1/700 - Tamiya 31903 US Submarine & Japanese Chaser

Tactical Narrative:

Following a mutual detection in the waters of Truk Lagoon, USS Gato (SS-212) initiates an emergency crash dive to evade two oncoming Japanese submarine chasers of the No. 13 type. Simultaneously, the surface hunters are spotted from above by a USAAF B-24 Liberator air patrol, turning the hunters into the prey as the aircraft move in to engage them.

Technical Description:

A multi-tier vertical diorama housed in a custom glass case built to my own specifications by a local glass worker (I’d call him a professional, but he was late by 5 days, visible-siliconed the seams, slightly botched the dimensions, and failed to silicon the top… which is held in just a little bit on one side..., so let's stick with "local worker"!). The entire project was assembled at a normal table using accessible hobby materials and non-studio tools (aka in my kitchen and living room 😊)

The top shelf features two B-24D Liberators navigating storm clouds sculpted from polyester fiberfill (no fluffy toys were harmed in the process), shaped and weathered using markers, a lighter flame technique, and some hairspray (yeah, I know, not the best idea!).

The middle shelf captures one IJN No.13-class submarine chaser maintaining a straight course while the other executes an aggressive 30-degree evasion turn, with high-speed wakes sculpted using Mig Ammo Pacific Blue water effects directly onto the glass shelf.

The bottom shelf reveals the full-hull USS Gato pitching into a 10-degree emergency dive. The deep ocean abyss was created by applying Mig Ammo Pacific Blue over a heavy black base, completely sealed with flat matte varnish (and some markers) to eliminate surface sheen and add realistic volumetric depth.

All camouflage, details, and gun metal tones were executed using specialized AK Real Color and Gaahleri markers (and a few random no-name ones). Detailing and shadows were mostly done with Tamiya Panel Liners (grays and black). Vallejo Acrylic Matt Varnish was used and applied by brush.

I wish to thank Gaahleri for this competition and opportunity, my best friend John for his moral support, my fellow modellers from here for their support, and Google AI for keeping up with my research requests and ramblings.

Best regards and good luck to all!

Hello all! (again)

This will be like 2 updates in short order as I forgot to add it :P (forgot to add it the first time around, hopefully had it saved)

My parcel finally arrived with the “water” (and an extra case I ordered for a tank 😊). While waiting for the Mig Ammo Pacific Blue water effects to fully dry and testing out different background/surface textures for the final bases, I ended up doing some additional weathering on the B-24 Liberators. It turned out a bit heavy, but it gives them that rugged, oil-streaked combat look.

In the meantime, to keep my hands busy while waiting on the diorama's paint to cure, I managed to completely finish the Challenger II KFOR tank as well! (for which the extra case was ordered). I am particularly proud of the fiber optic antennas 😊

Here are a few shots of the weathering progress and the final armor build before the full diorama reveal.

Have fun!

Hi there, while the latest 2 updates i have "saved" this one i have to redo... so let's see what i did that week...

I believe it was the week where i completed more or less the models without the final weathering and such and i tried to start with the water base and realised it was "dead" had a "panic fit" ordered another tub and some stuff from Super-Hobby (they were super prompt as usual and thank you again) but the courier just "forgot" my parcel which took ALOOOOT of time to get to me afterwards....

Yeah i think that is a good recollection of that update...

Greetings fellow modellers!

I hope you had a great week, as for me if this heatwave doesn't kill me or the model doesn't make me blind i might get to finish it! :)

The submarine has been assembled and so have the subchasers. The B-24s are partly finished also, so all in all getting there.

For scaling purposes i have put some pictures of this kit on top of the case of another modern naval diorama of the same scale... those poor japanese subchasers look like dinghies compare to modern vessels :)

Hello nice people!

A bit more work on the little ships, now they are both assembled and dare i say finished, we missing some detailing, varnish and decals, but assembly wise they are both done.

Also the submarine now has the painted deck and its bottom half has been "screwed" :)

Next step should be the conning tower and final sub assembly but we will see.

Have fun and see you next week!

Greetings everyone! Another tedious little update :) Second japanes sub chaser has been assembled and now drying up before some more shaders and little details.

Hi again! Some small update with some work on the submarine for now and some ship detailing.

Greetings once again and my apologies for late update!

We have a saying here that one bad thing never comes alone... so after my friend ended up in the hospital i also lost computer / internet access so could not post...

But on the bright side now my friend is out of the hospital and i am online once again :)

So long story short so updates.... one miniscule ship is built... one to go... well the lifeboats still need to be connected but some details were not totally dry at the moment of the pictures so didn't want to "f" something up.

Now i am blind... why did i not choose something bigger :P

Hi all! Not much of an update just some more little piece painted, my best friend (well i would say only friend) is in the hospital so didn't really feel like modelling.

Wish you all the best!

Hello again for yet another mandatory update!

And hooray for more tiny painting... guess if the heat doesn't get me the painting will make me blind :)

P.S. If anyone looks at this and can help me with something... i said before i am not a fan of social media nor i have alot of friends and the like... so my question is... is there a way to post some other models somewhere as a portfolio? Would like to have some peer reviews on some of my work :)