So. I have been promising a new Belafonte model for some time now since my first attempt 4 or 5 years ago. My love of the movie The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou has not abated during this time and I had always planned on making another Belafonte. I had always thought I would make a bigger model but the opportunity arrived as a commission for a small (very small) 1:220 waterline model.
At this scale the whole model is around 22cm long (just over 10 inch) so doing any fine detail is a challenge but i was excited to give it a go. I made the base and blocks for the upper deck from solid boxwood. The detailed decking and windows ect. were laser cut from 0.4mm plywood. The rails are all brass etchings and I used brass rod for the cranes, flag poles and antennae array. I used plasic rod for various other bits-and-bobs.
The water slide decals were expertly and professionally made by Robert at Wessex Transfers in Australia. They were made quickly and very reasonably priced and arrived from half way around the world in a very short time. I really can’t recommend him enough, they were done to my exact specifications.
Painting was a nightmare and isn’t my strong point but it came out looking pretty good.
Anyway enjoy some progress photos and then finished photos. There are more on my instagram.
And finished shots….
Last of all I happy to announce I am making a second 1:220 scale model Belafonte which will have a full Hull. I will be advertising it for sale on this blog when finished. Keep an eye out for it.
ADAM BLAND 
amazing work on Belafonte. if you ever offer any for sale, please email me with pricing & details.
Hi Ted. Thanks. I have the parts to make another belafonte this size with a fully rounded hull. I’ll try and send you an email about it
Hello, great work on the Belafonte models you have built. I am inspired to work on my own, working off of the Calypso model for a jumping off point. I am curious if you found the paint colors by trial and error, or if you somehow found some specific paint colors to use? Excited to undertake this project!
Hi Patrick. The paint colours were found using trial and error. I am unable to remember what i used now and all the paints have long since been used up. Good luck with your build, it is hard to find the Revell model kits now. Is there anywhere you are documenting it for others to see?
Thanks for the reply. I look forward to giving it a go; I figure I will take pictures along the way and if worthwhile I will share, but nothing set up in terms of documentation at this point.