USS Indianapolis (SSN-697) Fast Attack Submarine in 1/72 Scale
The USS Indianapolis (SSN-697) was a U.S. Navy Los Angeles class fast attack submarine. She was commissioned in 1980 and was assigned to the Pacific Fleet, homeported in Pearl Harbor. She was decommissioned halfway through her service life in 1998, one of the many victims of the so-called "peace dividend".
I have always been fascinated by submarines, particularly the U.S. Navy nuke boats. It just so happens that the outer diameter of 5 inch PVC well casing is almost exactly the hull diameter of the LA class submarine in 1/72 scale, so there's a good start on a scratchbuilding project. The center 30 inches of the model is 5 inch PVC, the bow and stern sections are vacuformed over poplar masters. The fins and sail were made from plastic sheet and copies cast in resin.
For anyone interested, there are work in progress construction posts here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/?s=1%2F72+los+angeles
Masterful work Jeff. I enjoyed reading the WIP articles as well. Very well done!
Well now, saw this bad boy at the Louisville show, didn't realized it belonged to a iModeler member. Nice job Jeff, hope to meet you at the Cincinnati show?
Oh...so it's a scratch-built - not a kit, per se - even more impressive. I especially like the work in the coning tower (it's the "cats meow", so to speak) - 🙂
A great work of craftsmanship! Nice job.
Tortie cats are the best!
Thanks for the kind words guys, much appreciated! Tom, I try to go to most of the shows in Region IV so Cincinnati is on the list.
Nice! Specialy the WIP, that after this linked me to other builds.
Congratulations
Nice work Jeff!
Very well done, Jeff.
I especially like the variations of shading on the sub's hull ... VERY interesting subject, Sir!
Thanks guys! It was a lot of fun to build!