Soluyanov Sergey

@soluyanovsergey

Military

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Project Summary

Shell Welder – a 1:143 scale coastal tanker model (Ark kit, individually built)

I built this model using an Ark-Models kit, but the quality of the original castings and the soldering of parts turned out to be so poor that the only thing I could keep from the kit was the plastic hull. Everything else – superstructures, deck equipment, fittings, piping, railings, ladders and doors – was either heavily reworked or completely scratch-built from brass, copper, polystyrene and wood. My goal was to create a museum-quality replica of the coastal tanker “Shell Welder”, faithfully capturing the look of a hard-working vessel from the 1950s.

For the railing, accommodation ladders and doors I made extensive use of photo-etched parts (from Atlantic Model), which I then carefully adjusted and fitted by hand. The bridge superstructure is fully glazed, and the interior of the wheelhouse has been reproduced with the helm, engine-room telegraphs and chart table – all of this goes far beyond what the original kit offered.

The paint scheme differs from the standard one: the upper part (superstructure and hull above the waterline) is black, the underwater hull is red, and all other elements – deck, cargo derrick, manifolds, railings, ventilator cowls and piping – are painted white. Light weathering creates the impression that the ship has honestly covered many thousands of miles but is still working dependably.

The rigging, cargo gear and the complex system of manifolds on the centreline deck have been copied from historical photographs and original shipyard drawings. I have built lighting into the model – navigation lights, interior lights in the superstructure and deck floodlights – so that in subdued light it literally comes to life.

At 1:143 scale the model is about 575 mm long. In addition to photo-etch, turned brass parts, an authentic anchor chain and windlass assembly, and many other hand-made details were used in the build. What you see is the result of hundreds of hours of research, painstaking work and painting. This model is my personal tribute to the classic tanker Shell Welder, and an expression of a striving for accuracy, craftsmanship and deep respect for maritime history.

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Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 1

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 2

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 3

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 4

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 5

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 6

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 7

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 8

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings 9

Military

85 days ago

Soluyanov Sergey

@soluyanovsergey | Military

Stage 5. Forecastle, midship section, spars and fittings

This week I built the windlass, forecastle ventilator cowls and bollards. The mast and cargo derrick were made from brass tubing, with the rigging replicated from photographs of the actual vessel. The completed windlass, mast, cowls and bollards were then painted.

The midship section was assembled together with the fuel pipeline and valves. The forecastle was also fully assembled and painted. All of these subassemblies are now being fitted onto the hull — final assembly is underway.

Pipelines were made from Evergreen plastic rods of various diameters. The railings, ladders and ship’s doors were produced using photo-etched parts from Atlantic Models. I also scratch-built the lifebuoys and fire extinguishers.

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STUDIO93543 days ago
Excellent details on the tubes :p
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King Bob!85 days ago
Awesome!
AD
Andre du Plessis85 days ago
Marvelous work! Really looks excellent.
- SS
  Soluyanov Sergey85 days ago
  Replying to Andre du Plessis
  @andreduplessis Thanks!
AJ
Adam Jusyk85 days ago
Your scratch building skill is awesome! I'm also curious, what paints did you use to paint it?
- SS
  Soluyanov Sergey85 days ago
  Replying to Adam Jusyk
  @adamjusyk2 Thanks for the comment! I used Tamiya brand paint, primer, and varnish.

Biography

My name is Sergey, I'm 60. By trade I'm an automobile mechanic, but ship modelling is my true passion. My first profession was as a pilot — I know aviation inside and out. That's exactly why I chose ship modelling: to step into an unfamiliar world and discover something entirely new.

I was captivated by the complexity of marine engineering and the meticulous handcraft it demands. I work exclusively in 1:200 and 1:135 scales, striving not just to replicate drawings but to breathe real character into every model. My journey proves that at 60 you can take on a new pursuit with the excitement of youth, finding joy in every polished deck and every precise line of the hull.

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Builder's Toolkit

Milling machine Proxxon MF 70

Proxxon TBM 220 – Bench drill press

Proxxon TA 70 – Dividing head for MF 70

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