Type XXI with interior and lights

The tower was modified by removing the fake line around the tower and using thin wire instead. I used the real Wilhelm Bauer as a reference here. From wartime photos it does not look like it have so could have been omitted. The steps were also changed to wire.

All sub assemblies sorted after color.

Sub assemblies painted

The decals are made to cover a very large area but this caused misalignment so in the end I cut out smaller pieces

Sections done

The interior. A lot of super glue was used in hidden places to keep it straight and not breaking when handled

Taped up test fit

All glued up and ready for oils and washes

The deck is in two parts, but it won't fit, so a piece was cut off and a small shim added to the bottom for stability

Reinforcing the deck

Tiny LEDs are giving the light effect. It was a hassle with the thin wires. The LEDs were super glued in place

Light test

Working on the lights. luckily there's a lot of room behind the walls to hide cables

One of many light tests

Taped up for priming

To create the panel shading I drew lines of slightly thinned oil (payne's grey) on the panel lines and the gently brushed it with a dry flat brush

To create the panel shading I drew lines of slightly thinned oil (payne's grey) on the panel lines and the gently brushed it with a dry flat brush

To fill in the holes I used Micron black pens. It gave me more control and less hassle with paint coming on the outside

Some streaking rust and white added

Railings added. I 3D printed a small 7mm cylinder with a hole so I could easily cut everything off at the right height. Rigging was done with elastic thread which was then painted grey

Rigging added

Back side with battery or mains connector. It uses a 9V battery but can be run with a transformer as well. The base is 3D printed to house the wires and hide the wires coming out from the bottom