A NON-AUTO diorama idea I've been kicking around.

[Chuck Most]

If you aren't familiar with the story of the SS American Star, a pretty complete history can be found here-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_America_(1940)

She was one of the last great American liners, and lived a long and storied history until her infamous final cruise in 1978. But she is perhaps most famous for wrecking 100 yards offshore in the Canary Islands in January 1994, after spending almost a decade and a half 'at the wall' after an aborted salvage attempt. She was under tow to Asia to be converted into a floating hotel when the tow lines parted, and she crashed into a sandbar. There she sat until just a few years ago, when the bow section finally collapsed and fell into the sea.

This is perhaps the most well-known image of her, circa 2004. The severed stern section collapsed and sank in 1996, but is still visible in aerial photos of the wreck. Now the bow has collapsed and sunk as well. The hole along the keel was not caused by the collision- it was cut there by salvagers to prevent the wreck from floating free and becoming a navigation hazard.

A few photos illustrating the bow's deterioration

I'm thinking making the actual hull will be easy- the Revell or Glencoe SS United States looks like it can be modified into a pretty close duplicate of the SS America. Making the beach shouldn't be a huge challenge, but the one thing that's holding me back is duplicating the choppy surface of the ocean around the wreck.

Just wondering- has anyone else done a shipwreck diorama? I've seen quite a few dioramas of war ships in water, but never of anything close to shore- where the water is typically clearer and lighter. I've actually seen a model of the SS American Star wreck, but it was set on a wooden base, with no representation of water or the beach.

Oh, for those interested, there is a pretty good site dedicated to this ship, both as a wreck and during her heyday and decline-

http://ss-australis.com/

[Eshaver]

Yes, why not Chuck. Build it , I'll look at it ! Ed Shaver

[Swifster]

That looks like a very interesting topic. I'm having fun with the website.

[Dr. Cranky]

I love the idea, Chuck. Why not? Go for it. The objective in this hobby is to have fun, and that project looks like a lot of fun.

[charlie8575]

Do it.

Charlie Larkin

[Swifster]

I'd agree that the SS United States would be a good place to start. All four or six liners built around that time look very similar.

I hope someone steps up to restore the SS United States before it suffers the same result. For all the ###### our government spends on stupid ######, restoring the great American ocean liner would be something I'd be proud to pay for with my taxes.

Edited October 9, 2011 by Swifster

[Chuck Most]

They were built ten years apart, but they appear very identical, the smokestacks being the main differences. There's actually a pretty famous photo of the two ships together=

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/United_States_and_America.jpg

[Dr. Cranky]

I can feel your excitement, Chuck. Run with it, it sounds like you are a man possessed!

[Nick Notarangelo]

I would do it and have fun.

Now the sad part is that I have worked in and on more than a few share of my boats while I was living in my Hometown of Newport RI.

Newport RI has a rich sailing history from Pirates to the America's Cup sailing race so I just pains me to see any boat in that condition.

[Foxer]

You might look into Woodland Scenics Water Effects for the choppy sea. There are also many other products used in model railroads for various water effects.

[Dr. Cranky]

Vallejo has a product called "Water Effects".

Do you have the styrene subject already in hand?

[Jim B]

Sounds like an interesting project. I'd check with the guys over at Model Shipwrights http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/ They really know their ship stuff, and should be able to provide you with a lot of insight.

Good luck!

[Ron a.k.a. Grouchy Pants]

Sounds like your into it... so why not... have fun

[Chuck Most]

Vallejo has a product called "Water Effects".

Do you have the styrene subject already in hand?

I"ve been looking into the water effects- I'll probably go with the Woodland Scenics stuff Mike mentioned earlier. The bugger will be learning to use it properly!

As far as the subject, no- but I think I can use the Revell or Glencoe kit of the SS United States. They were identical, and as far as the Revell and Glencoe kits go, I think they were both based off the old Ideal kit from 1954, so either kit should work.

[Hattley]

I'm hooked!

[rustybill1960]

So, what is the verdict Chuck?

I'll watch!

Later

Russ

[Chuck Most]

Oh, it's a go- just a matter of finding the Revell/Glencoe kit now.

[Dr. Cranky]

I hope you find it.

[Swifster]

I know that if I make the trip to the Northeast, I'm definitely stopping at the Philadelphia ship yard. Would love to see the SS United States before someone, somewhere decides to scrap her.

[Foxer]

As far as the subject, no- but I think I can use the Revell or Glencoe kit of the SS United States. They were identical, and as far as the Revell and Glencoe kits go, I think they were both based off the old Ideal kit from 1954, so either kit should work.

wow .. bringing back memories! I remember building the United States ship in the '50's before AMT switched my gears to cars. My guess would be it was a Revell but those seas are pretty foggy now.

[Chuck Most]

wow .. bringing back memories! I remember building the United States ship in the '50's before AMT switched my gears to cars. My guess would be it was a Revell but those seas are pretty foggy now.

Revell and Glencoe molded the same kit, but if I recall Ideal Toys made the kit first, and all three kits are the same tooling.

[vaughn]

I think its a great concept !! Enjoy it !