Joel Tavera’s 1997 Nautilus

This is a build up of the Monogram Nautilus model from that Ben Cross, Richard Crenna movie. The design was a departure from what we are all accustomed to, but nevertheless it is a very nice model kit from this company.

Although this model was requested to be an out of the box build up, I opted to enhance it a tad more as a surprise. Not only is the customer a good client, but also an IRS investigative agent, so I want him on my good side. Ha, ha, ha. Actually he is a good friend as well.

The base color of the model is a Model Masters Titanium from the spray can. Additional detailing was airbrushed Tamiya Metallic Grey. The base was spray painted Model Masters Flat Earth and then washed with Tamiya black. Detailing was also done with Tamiya Earth Yellow, Light Green and various greys.

Pic 1: Shows a cool reuse of the Monogram’s “Seaquest DSV” model base, painted as the sea floor.
Pic 2: Backside of the Salon area, shows how the beams were opened up and backed up with clear blue plastic. Note the LED placements.
Pic 3: Opened up area at the top of the stairs. Note the cool adhesives for interior detailing.
Pic 4: There is a red LED situated behind the ‘Power Orb’ of the engine room.
Pic 5 & 6: Shows the wire harness for illumination and the hull halves superglued prior to painting.
Pic 8 :Model secured permanently to the seafloor base.
Pic 7 & 9: Here is a view of the clear hull piece and it snapped into place after the paint job.
Pic 10: The business end of the boat!
Pic 11, 12 & 13: Various exterior views of the boat painted and the air brushed plating detail.
Pic 14 & 15: As a bonus for the client, the cool diorama box art was mounted to foam core with 3M mounting adhesive along with some of the box’s photos of the assembled model.
Pic 16, 17 & 18: Here are a few views of the model with the diorama backdrop.
Pic 19, 20 & 21: Illuminated portions of the Salon and Engine room.

This was a fun and unusual kit to build like a lot of other models manufactured by Monogram. As with most models there is a lot of room for enhancement. Ideas that come to mind are different areas for illumination, the addition of figures along with different paint schemes rather than what was seen on the TV screen. Also, even though this is a snap together kit, it is really augmented by being glued together as any other model. Lastly, this is also a good addition to any “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” aficionado’s collection.

Joel Tavera