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Figure 1: (1975/76) The stern section of the 17 ft. Seaview studio model. Notice how the shape of the stern section (below the fins) accommodates the engines. I took this photograph sometime in 1975/76 while the model was on display at Planes of Fame and Cars of the Stars in Buena Park, California. |
Next to its bow, the stern of the Seaview is probably its most characteristic feature. It is certainly its most complex. In this area, the dramatic shape of several structures combine to both give the submarine its futuristic look and complete the graceful lines originating in the bow.
It is a difficult area to model, because the shape of these structures are complex and subtle. Unless one has access to one of the studio models (which I don't), there are few references about the Seaview's stern available. It is also an unfortunate place for inaccuracies, since these can certainly compromise the overall result.
Since a number of problems with the stern section occur in both the Lunar Models and Monsters-in-Motion Seaviews, I have discussed them in detail on my Studio Models, Part II page, and won't repeat that information here.
These are my observations about problems with the Lunar Model's Seaview:
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The Lunar Model's Seaview has a wide bullet-shaped hull in the stern. While this is a small difference, it has a noticeable impact on the fitting and the look of the engines, (as we'll see later). This makes the engines look like they are being squeezed or bent to fit. |
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The engines are not shaped correctly. Rather than the straight bullet-like structures seen in Figure 1, the Lunar Model's kit has curved, cone-like structures. |
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There are major symmetry problems due to the fact that the port and starboard engines have different sizes and shapes. This becomes obvious if one looks at the assembled stern from below or above. A great deal of customization is necessary to overcome this problem. |
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As illustrated in the following construction photos, there are significant problems attaching the engines to the hull. |
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The lower fins (which run laterally along the side of the engines, and meet the fin that run along the entire length of the hull) are set at an angle, rather than perpendicular, relative to the rudders. |
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The two diagrams to the left illustrate the difference between the hull in the Lunar Model kit, with its convex curve, and my interpretation of the studio model's hull, which has a concave curve. Notice how the engine nacelles (in red) seem to be crowded in Figure 3, whereas they are accommodated in Figure 2. |
| Figure 2: Studio Models | Figure 3: Lunar Models Kit |
In addition to the two hull halves, the parts provided for the stern include four vacuum-formed pieces for the engines. These are comprised of upper and lower parts that needed to be cut from the fairly thick plastic sheet from which they were molded. Little bumps just above the fins represented the vents on the side of the engines. My plan was to replace these with hand-made vents. The tip of the engine, and the leading edge of the fins are designed to meet the ridge that runs laterally along the entire length of the lower hull.
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| Figure 4: (6/98) | Figure 5: (6/98) | Figure 6: (7/98) |
When building the stern section, I first cut out the bumpy-vents, and attempted to build my own. Being an apprentice in training, I wasn't sure how to go about doing this. Figure 4 shows my first effort on the port-side engine. Yuck! This figure also shows the difficulty in attaching the engines to the hull. There are almost no guides on either the hull or engine pieces that help. The most desirable placement would require that the fin be at 90 degree angle, relative to the rudders. But in this position, there were large gaps between the hull and the nose of the engine nacelles (the pink area in Figure 4 shows this gap on the starboard engine). Using strips of plastic, Milliput and Squadron putty, I was able to build-up the surface. If I had it to do over again, I would have either built the engines from scratch, or removed the fins first, making the placement of the engines on the hull easier. I could then have cut out the vents, built new ones, and added the fins at the end.
Figure 5 shows the nacelles attached, but their shape is too curved, more claw-like than bullet-shaped. They should look like two side-by-side rockets. It's difficult to see in these images, but the engines are too flat as well. This made the creation of the vents very difficult.
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| Figure 7: (7/98) | Figure 8: (11/98) | Figure 9: (12/98) |
Next I cut out the vents from the engines as shown on the left side in Figures 6 and 7. These openings were oversized so that they could contain the small frames I built to hold the vents (note - in Figure 7 - the plastic, grate-like vent sitting above the upper port vent opening). The result can be seen in figures 8 and 9. Also in Figure 8, notice that the keel is in the process of being replaced (see the Keel and Mini-Sub Bay Page).
More to come later.
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