Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: dwesolick

Sorry to bring back an old (but very cool) thread. I've just received my 1/700 (Trumpeter) waterline models of the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen. I'm planning to build a small diorama (on a piece of wood) with the two ships sailing (un-historically) close together in the Denmark Strait.
My questions are:
1. I know the Bismarck (and I think PE as well) had their "Baltic" camouflage painted over before they went on their romp in the Atlantic. My understanding is that they were painted a neutral gray, but does that include hull, superstructure and turrets? Also, were the deck swastikas painted over or not (I've seen examples of both in paintings)?
2. Anyone ever tried modeling seas before? I've used artificial water on my kids school dioramas (ponds, rivers, lakes/reservoirs...did "Operation Chastise" with my daughter for a school project, all smooth water) but have never tried modeling the ocean. I bought some stuff called "Water Effects" by Vallejo...its a kind of gel, but not sure how to apply it (with a decent sized brush, I guess?). Any advice or tips here would be most welcome!
3. Also planning to try to make antennae wires. I've built some ships before but only tried to do the wires once (the melted sprue method...what a mess). Anyone have tips for this? Very fine thread maybe?

thanks!

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

For modeling seas, I'd be interested in anything you find as a resource...

I was looking at a post on reddit/imgur the other day by a guy who had done a 1/45 scale truck crossing a stream. He did the water with the standard clear resin, and using clayshaping tools and other sculpting tools to dimple/ripple the material to simulate a rippling stream. I imagine the process would be similar for seawater.