The Ship Model Forum

Hi All,
Due to family business I had less time since my last post in April, but now I am back at the bench. Last details were added along the catwalks and island using Swordfish Naval Model Accessories and scratch built details.
The model was ready to paint and I started the paintwork for two weeks ago. At first I painted the lower deck and the hull patterns in 5-L Light Gray. Next were 5-H Haze Gray, 5-O Ocean Gray and 5-N Navy Blue. I used Vallejo acrylics, each of the colours was mixed out of different shades of grays and blues.
Next, the lower deck and the decks at the bow and stern.

Beautiful work Christian!

Maybe we can see her finished at SMC?

A lot of sharp work here.

Hi All,

Thank you Dan K and Marijn for your kind comment.

I want to finish USS Santee until Scale Model Challange, held on 18th and 19th October in Veldhoven NL. Since my last WIP post at the end of August, there was still a lot of work to do. Airwing, assembly, rigging, figures final assembly, setting into the water base etc.
I worked on Santee until the last day, but I was able to finish the built without doing any compromise.

Here a batch of fotos from that last stages of the built.

Awesome work so far Christian! Looks great.
Do you happen to have the recipe/mixing ratios for the paints you used?
I'm always looking for good mixes as I can't seem to be satisfied with what I come up with.
Thanks in advance.

Thank you very much Frank

Here an overview of the Vallejo acrylics and mixing ratios I have used.

Upper Hull
• 5-L Light Gray 71.050 + 71.001 (Ratio 1+2)
• 5-H Haze Gray 71.120
• 5-O Ocean Gray 71.114 + 70.058 (Ratio 1+2)
• 5-N Navy Blue 71.115 + 70.059 (Ratio 3+1)

Lower Hull
• Red 71.003 + 71.039 (Ratio 1+2)

Decks
• Steeldeckss 70.869
• Flight Deck wood 71.024
• Flight Deck fittings 71.052
• Flight Deck Stain 71.115

Aircraft
• Light Gray 71.050
• Intermediate Blue 70.904

All colours Vallejo:
• 70. = Model Color
• 71. = Model Air

I hope that helps.

Thanks so much.
I'll definitely make note of these mixes and try them out on my next USN project.

Beautiful work! Incredible painting. Love the Avenger

Frank O'Neill 2025 wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 1:14 pm Thanks so much.
I'll definitely make note of these mixes and try them out on my next USN project.

You're most welcome Frank.

SG1 wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 2:35 am Beautiful work! Incredible painting. Love the Avenger

Thank you