And the base is done! Still trying to decide on a name plate and ship patch, but thats stuff that will come down the line as I've got the money.
Stained w/ Rustoleum "Early American" stain bought at Lowes, and then sealed w/ a Semi-Gloss spray clear coat. I sanded it between coats, and it helped out immensely w/ the look. I wasnt happy at all w/ the look last night, but after lightly sanding w/ 220 grit this afternoon after work, and then putting down 3 more coats of clear, I'm very happy. I may go back and sand it again, there are a few blemishes that I might try to correct, but overall I'm very happy w/ the look.
The channel is where the cover will sit, and I'm trying to decide whetehr to paint it black or a brown or something else. I had a very hard time getting the stain down in there, so there are a few places that are still bare wood color, and if I should ever decide to show this at a competition, I'd take the plexiglass cover off, and then that area would be visible.
I do have a possible line on getting a ships challenge coin, so I'm really hoping that comes through. I also contacted the Pacific Submarine Command in Pearl Harbor, in the hopes that maybe I could get a coin that way. Would be awesome to actually get a coin from the ship.