Realistic Explosion Effect in 1/700 Scale Ship Models: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 08/07/2025

Creating realistic explosion effects on 1/700 scale ship models can be challenging, but this step-by-step guide shows you how. We'll cover techniques for achieving convincing damage, from subtle blast effects to dramatic, fiery destruction. Learn how to use readily available materials to transform your models, adding a powerful visual narrative to your meticulously crafted warships. Get ready to elevate your model-making skills!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Base

    • Cutting the lower hull part of the model and covering the bottom with epoxy putty to create a leveled base.
    Cutting the lower hull part of the model and covering the bottom with epoxy putty to create a leveled base.
    Prepare the Base

  2. Create the Sea Effect

    • Painting the plexiglass plate from the back side to create the sea effect. Using masking tape for painting the whole color and then adding a C-color layer.
    • Creating a sea effect using gloss medium gel and shaping it with a silicone tool. Let it dry for a few days, then paint with clear blue.
    Creating a sea effect using gloss medium gel and shaping it with a silicone tool. Let it dry for a few days, then paint with clear blue. Creating a sea effect using gloss medium gel and shaping it with a silicone tool. Let it dry for a few days, then paint with clear blue.
    Create the Sea Effect

  3. Build and Paint the Ship

    • Building the ship, focusing on important steps and highlighting the ease of assembly of this kit compared to others.
    • Painting the deck details with a brush.
    • Assembling the ship and cutting the painted model as needed to create damage effect using a thick aluminum foil piece.
    • Applying weathering wash and then painting over the effect with highly diluted paint.
    Applying weathering wash and then painting over the effect with highly diluted paint. Applying weathering wash and then painting over the effect with highly diluted paint. Applying weathering wash and then painting over the effect with highly diluted paint. Applying weathering wash and then painting over the effect with highly diluted paint.
    Build and Paint the Ship
    • Adding rigging with elastic material and rust effect with pigments.
    Adding rigging with elastic material and rust effect with pigments.
    Build and Paint the Ship

  4. Construct the Explosion Effect

    • Creating the explosion effect using LED lights, iClay, and cotton. Covering the LEDs with iClay, then cotton while the clay is still soft.
    • Applying hairspray (carefully, not too much) to the cotton, then painting the cotton surface with paint mixtures (yellow, red, orange, and black). Keeping the lights on for correct application.
    • Drilling a hole for the cables and fixing the model to the base with medium gel.
    • Adding veil and foam effects with medium gel and cotton, creating blast wave and ball wave effects with cotton and medium gel.
    Adding veil and foam effects with medium gel and cotton, creating blast wave and ball wave effects with cotton and medium gel. Adding veil and foam effects with medium gel and cotton, creating blast wave and ball wave effects with cotton and medium gel. Adding veil and foam effects with medium gel and cotton, creating blast wave and ball wave effects with cotton and medium gel. Adding veil and foam effects with medium gel and cotton, creating blast wave and ball wave effects with cotton and medium gel.
    Construct the Explosion Effect
    • Adding sharp nil and pieces that fly off to finalize the explosion effect.
    Adding sharp nil and pieces that fly off to finalize the explosion effect.
    Construct the Explosion Effect
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Tips

  • Use masking tape for clean paint application on the plexiglass plate.
  • Let the gloss medium gel dry completely before painting (a few days).
  • Use iClay (a material between Play-Doh and model clay) for creating translucent explosion effects. This tip is from KiwiMan.
  • Cover the iClay with cotton while it's still soft. This is a tip learned from KiwiMan's inner wheels.
  • Apply hairspray carefully to the cotton to hold the paint—don't apply too much.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overdoing the Explosion

Reason: Using too much material or too intense colors results in an unrealistic and overwhelming effect, detracting from the model.
Solution: Use subtle layering and muted colors to create a more believable and gradual explosion effect.

2. Ignoring the surrounding environment

Reason: An explosion affects its immediate surroundings; neglecting this creates a jarring disconnect between the explosion and the ship model.
Solution: Incorporate damage to the ship and nearby water or structures to realistically portray the blast's impact.

3. Lack of depth and dimension

Reason: A flat, one-dimensional explosion looks unrealistic and lacks impact. The effect needs to feel three-dimensional.
Solution: Use layering techniques and different shades of color to create depth and a sense of movement within the explosion.