The sub looks twice as wide as it's supposed to be. I think GI made sure this thing had the Red October's ultra-quiet caterpillar drive. If that thing ever surfaced, it would create massive wakes to topple any tugboat, though

Fritz: Thanks, you're too kind. No, this kit is purely OOTB. The tiles you see are anechoic tiles - rubber material AFAIK - that absorbs active sonar pings rather than reflect so as to reduce the signature or chances of detection. As for the Thunderbolt, actually I hope to paint this in Olive Green and Black only, but because I don't have a decent airbrush, it'll be black. Well, not straight black, but a lighter shade.

Lattex: Thanks also for the comments. Nope, no modifications, purely OOTB. The sub is just as wide as you see it. Typhoons are like that - they have double hulls, hence have a greater survivability rate than usual subs. The bulk helps it penetrate the thick ice under the Arctic for which the Typhoon was specifically designed to do so. From that point, it can strike practically anywhere it pleases. Although I do plan on building the Krazny Oktyabr someday - will be using two to three of these Revell 1/400 kits or the Dragon kits. I'll be adding up to four or six missile tubes, widen it by half a centimeter or a full centimeter, and make the intakes of the caterpillar drive. At nearly P900 per kit, the initial cost alone serves as a deterrent for such a project - unless I'm really hard-headed. But then, there's this proposed Tom Clancy campaign I heard a few months ago on this site.... hehehehehe

Hey GI,

You crazy mudda! Where did you find the time to do all of that? Seriously, I salute your conversion skills and you have the inherent talent for scratch building! You should start making master kits for resin. You and I have to talk about your future, boy.

Wanze

Wanze: Thanks! You're too kind. Actually, the model just looks better in the pictures (as always, they always look better in pictures, or behind glass cabinets, etc. etc. hehehe), but up-close and personal... :-)

As for the time, well, let's just say other "areas of more pressing concerns" were sacrificed... sigh... (hence the reason why I did some "spring cleaning" last night and placed ALL the kit boxes in areas where I cannot see them).

Seriously now, scratchbuilding is fun. One reason why I like doing it. Kit-bashing is even more fun! Yes, replicating a vehicle in 1/35 by superdetailing a kit is also fun - but not much compared to when you have the freedom to tinker and modifying a vehicle. Only one's imagination is the limit (okay, a bit of realism as well :-) ).

Hence, my continued participation in the Twilight 2000 campaign, as well as future projects such as the Urban Combat Variant Abrams, the Red October, and others in me mind. :-)

Of course, from time-to-time I do "real" models hehehe