U-boat Model Advice

Graf Paper · 04-07-08, 09:54 PM

I used to build ship models as one of my many hobbies when I was a kid. My pride and joy was the battleship USS Missouri.

Lately, I've been wanting to attempt building a u-boat but I have no idea about what's generally available these days.

I was looking for a Type VII series u-boat that would measure around 12-24 inches. I just don't have the space to accomodate that 1/72 scale monster made by Revell.

I'm hoping to keep the budget under $25.00 US but still try to get the best quality possible as I realize the cheaper models tend to be rather sparse on detail and accuracy.

Could any experienced modelers out there offer some advice, please?

Siara · 04-08-08, 01:31 AM

1-144 scale VIIc by Revell. Retails for about 25 $.
Nice detail, lots of extras available ie photoetch parts, wooden deck, flags...

Graf Paper · 04-08-08, 02:23 AM

Thanks very much for the tip, Siara.

Any recommendations for retailers where this can be found? I only know of Amazon and eBay for online shopping.

Also, can you elaborate more on these "extras" you mentioned? Are they part of the kit or is this a seperate kit?

Siara · 04-08-08, 08:25 AM

You can try any online retailer of plastic kits.
Just google it- im sure Youll find it.
To reduce the cost of shiping try the shops closer home.
The extras You need to order seperately- depends what You like from Your model.
The new VII C from Revell is excellent kit, and will bring joy to the modeller straight from box. To enhance it further get the deck from White Ensign Models, and photoetch set from Eduard.
White Ensign Models do sell original set of paints based on the chips of paints from actual boats of kriegsmarine.

Ask Bill Nichols- i believe hes started his VII C.

Good Luck.
Get the links of the shops in mention from my sig.

Sailor Steve · 04-08-08, 08:42 PM

If you're really strapped for space, or want to build a whole fleet in the same scale, try 1/700.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWX75

Graf Paper · 04-08-08, 09:04 PM

Thank you again for continuing to offer guidance, Siara. I'll take a look around and see what I come up with. I was thinking of doing this as a summer project so I'd have an excuse to sit outside at the lounge table in the backyard and enjoy the sunny days ahead instead of being holed up in my cave with my computer.

Sailor Steve, I think that retailer forgot to mention the microscope and tweezers needed to assemble and detail a 4.5-inch u-boat! lol

I like the fact that it would make for more subs displayed in a small space, but I doubt I have the eyesight or steady hands needed for delicate work like that.

Anything you have to detail with a single bristle from a modeler's brush is too much for me!

I do have to question one statement made about thie kit.

Quote:

Can be finished as either a Class VIIC or Class IXC submarine.

I suppose it has extra hull pieces to extend the length to match a IXC but I would have my doubts the IXC hull was merely a longer VIIC with the VIIC conning tower.

Including a merchant broken in half as a set piece is a nice touch, though.

[EDIT]

I found two very nice U-boats at that Tower Hobbies link, Steve. One is a generic 1/144 scale VIIC that is well detailed and about 18-inches in length. It also comes with a VIIB style alternate conning tower. Cost is $19.69 plus S+H.

The other is a 1/125 model of Otto Kretschmer's U-99, type VIIB, that has a cut-away hull on one side to show the interior details and measures in at just under 21 inches long. Cost is $16.29 plus S+H.

Decisions, decisions! Now I just have to sit and worry myself over which one I want.

No big hurry as summer weather is still several weeks away.

Thank you both!

FIREWALL · 04-08-08, 10:00 PM

I really enjoy these threads on modeling, especially with links

Siara · 04-09-08, 01:13 AM

Dont go for the 1-125 kit- it is outdated and poor in quality.
The new 1-144 scale VII C is miles better.

Graf Paper · 04-09-08, 01:43 AM

I am indebted to you for your kindness of being considerate enough to steer me away from a disappointment, Siara!

So the 1/144 VIIC it shall be!

Thank you!

Your "U-552" modeling diary is a very infromative and well done blog, Siara. Very nicely detailed VIIC you've got there!

Siara · 04-09-08, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graf Paper

I am indebted to you for your kindness of being considerate enough to steer me away from a disappointment, Siara!

So the 1/144 VIIC it shall be!

Thank you!

Your "U-552" modeling diary is a very infromative and well done blog, Siara. Very nicely detailed VIIC you've got there!

No problem, hope You gonna share the experiences with the kit with all of us.

Sailor Steve · 04-09-08, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graf Paper

Sailor Steve, I think that retailer forgot to mention the microscope and tweezers needed to assemble and detail a 4.5-inch u-boat! lol

I like the fact that it would make for more subs displayed in a small space, but I doubt I have the eyesight or steady hands needed for delicate work like that.

Anything you have to detail with a single bristle from a modeler's brush is too much for me!

Then I guess my collection of 1/2400 Majestic class battleships is right out, then?:rotfl:

Quote:

I do have to question one statement made about thie kit.

Quote:

Can be finished as either a Class VIIC or Class IXC submarine.

I suppose it has extra hull pieces to extend the length to match a IXC but I would have my doubts the IXC hull was merely a longer VIIC with the VIIC conning tower.

Including a merchant broken in half as a set piece is a nice touch, though.

Your mention of the broken merchant made me look at the box again. I've built that kit, and it's a misprint: it actually contains a model of both the type VII and Type IX.

I'm glad you found what you wanted. have fun.

Graf Paper · 04-10-08, 12:32 AM

A two-for-one kit with both u-boats? That would almost be enough to tempt me into purchasing it, S.S., but I'll stick with the 1/144 VIIC as I had more in mind using it as a "mascot" of sorts to display above my desk while playing SH3.

1/2400 scale sounds almost insanely small. You could probably fight the entire Battle of the North Atlantic in your bathtub! What's the postal charge for delivering a box the size of a pack of cigarettes? :p

What's next? Instead of "ship-in-a-bottle" will it be "ship-in-a-pill capsule"?

Siara, I'll try to take snapshots of the build process, if you guys really want to see, but I'm not responsible for any feelings of dismay and shock you may feel at seeing such an amateur work! I haven't built or painted a single model since I was 14-years old.

Modern concepts such as kit-bashing and 3rd-party add-on kits just didn't exist, in a commercial sense, back then.

Must be something about all this nautical stuff that stirs my blood. Reading books like "Old Ironsides", "Two Years Before the Mast", "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", and "Moby Dick" never failed to put me in the mood to be a sailor. Building ships was as close as I could come to that fantasy.

That VIIC wouldn't be my first sub, though. I did have the USS Nautilus in my long-lost collection. Everything I had ( including a large collection of my art ) got lost by the moving company when my dad was moved across the state to a new job.

The most complex build I ever did was my favorite sailing ship, the Constitution. It took me a week to string the rigging. I remember hating the plastic sails so I used an old handkerchief, cut the sails out, made shape molds out of modeling clay, laid the hankys over the molds, and then brushed them with matte clearcoat to stiffen the fabric. After they dried, I used thread to make the furling lines on each sail and brushed on more clearcoat to "glue" them into place. I used a thumbtack to make the holes in the corners and along the edges to fit the rigging and stays.

If I decide to do a first-class job with the VIIC and purchase additional parts to finish the model, it may take all summer to complete it. Providing nothing unexpected comes up with the finances, I'll be ordering the model next month.

nikimcbee · 04-19-08, 05:20 AM

Try looking here: http://www.pacificfront.com/

I've ordered from them in the past. They are located in Roseburg OR.

Graf Paper · 04-28-08, 10:56 PM

Thank you very much, nikimcbee!

Not only are they close to home, so to speak, byt they're a whole dollar cheaper than the other site from which I had intended to purchase the model. Quicker delivery for less money, those go together like peanut butter and chocolate!

On a somewhat down note, I may have to delay getting this VIIC model due to my trusty lawn mower "Old Gus" finally giving up the ghost and mowing his last lawn this past weekend. The good part is my new lawn mower was on sale and it has a more powerful engine as well as a rear-mounted grass catcher.

No more raking grass clippings!

But there goes my savings for the next three months!

Bill Nichols · 04-29-08, 09:49 PM

Good luck with the mower. When you get around to starting the 1/144 VIIC kit, check my 'build-it' topic... I've just begun building mine and perhaps you'll be able to avoid the mistakes I'm sure to make

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=135471

04-07-08, 09:54 PM	#1
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	U-boat Model Advice I used to build ship models as one of my many hobbies when I was a kid. My pride and joy was the battleship USS Missouri. Lately, I've been wanting to attempt building a u-boat but I have no idea about what's generally available these days. I was looking for a Type VII series u-boat that would measure around 12-24 inches. I just don't have the space to accomodate that 1/72 scale monster made by Revell. I'm hoping to keep the budget under $25.00 US but still try to get the best quality possible as I realize the cheaper models tend to be rather sparse on detail and accuracy. Could any experienced modelers out there offer some advice, please? __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

04-08-08, 01:31 AM	#2
Siara Grey Wolf Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mitcham/London Posts: 818 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	1-144 scale VIIc by Revell. Retails for about 25 $. Nice detail, lots of extras available ie photoetch parts, wooden deck, flags... __________________ Master Models

04-08-08, 02:23 AM	#3
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	Thanks very much for the tip, Siara. Any recommendations for retailers where this can be found? I only know of Amazon and eBay for online shopping. Also, can you elaborate more on these "extras" you mentioned? Are they part of the kit or is this a seperate kit? __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

04-08-08, 08:25 AM	#4
Siara Grey Wolf Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mitcham/London Posts: 818 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You can try any online retailer of plastic kits. Just google it- im sure Youll find it. To reduce the cost of shiping try the shops closer home. The extras You need to order seperately- depends what You like from Your model. The new VII C from Revell is excellent kit, and will bring joy to the modeller straight from box. To enhance it further get the deck from White Ensign Models, and photoetch set from Eduard. White Ensign Models do sell original set of paints based on the chips of paints from actual boats of kriegsmarine. Ask Bill Nichols- i believe hes started his VII C. Good Luck. Get the links of the shops in mention from my sig. __________________ Master Models

04-08-08, 08:42 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	If you're really strapped for space, or want to build a whole fleet in the same scale, try 1/700. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWX75 __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-08-08, 10:00 PM	#7
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	I really enjoy these threads on modeling, especially with links __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

04-09-08, 01:13 AM	#8
Siara Grey Wolf Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mitcham/London Posts: 818 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Dont go for the 1-125 kit- it is outdated and poor in quality. The new 1-144 scale VII C is miles better. __________________ Master Models

04-09-08, 01:43 AM	#9
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	I am indebted to you for your kindness of being considerate enough to steer me away from a disappointment, Siara! So the 1/144 VIIC it shall be! Thank you! Your "U-552" modeling diary is a very infromative and well done blog, Siara. Very nicely detailed VIIC you've got there! __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

04-10-08, 12:32 AM	#12
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	A two-for-one kit with both u-boats? That would almost be enough to tempt me into purchasing it, S.S., but I'll stick with the 1/144 VIIC as I had more in mind using it as a "mascot" of sorts to display above my desk while playing SH3. 1/2400 scale sounds almost insanely small. You could probably fight the entire Battle of the North Atlantic in your bathtub! What's the postal charge for delivering a box the size of a pack of cigarettes? :p What's next? Instead of "ship-in-a-bottle" will it be "ship-in-a-pill capsule"? Siara, I'll try to take snapshots of the build process, if you guys really want to see, but I'm not responsible for any feelings of dismay and shock you may feel at seeing such an amateur work! I haven't built or painted a single model since I was 14-years old. Modern concepts such as kit-bashing and 3rd-party add-on kits just didn't exist, in a commercial sense, back then. Must be something about all this nautical stuff that stirs my blood. Reading books like "Old Ironsides", "Two Years Before the Mast", "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", and "Moby Dick" never failed to put me in the mood to be a sailor. Building ships was as close as I could come to that fantasy. That VIIC wouldn't be my first sub, though. I did have the USS Nautilus in my long-lost collection. Everything I had ( including a large collection of my art ) got lost by the moving company when my dad was moved across the state to a new job. The most complex build I ever did was my favorite sailing ship, the Constitution. It took me a week to string the rigging. I remember hating the plastic sails so I used an old handkerchief, cut the sails out, made shape molds out of modeling clay, laid the hankys over the molds, and then brushed them with matte clearcoat to stiffen the fabric. After they dried, I used thread to make the furling lines on each sail and brushed on more clearcoat to "glue" them into place. I used a thumbtack to make the holes in the corners and along the edges to fit the rigging and stays. If I decide to do a first-class job with the VIIC and purchase additional parts to finish the model, it may take all summer to complete it. Providing nothing unexpected comes up with the finances, I'll be ordering the model next month. __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

04-19-08, 05:20 AM	#13
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,925 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Try looking here: http://www.pacificfront.com/ I've ordered from them in the past. They are located in Roseburg OR. __________________

04-28-08, 10:56 PM	#14
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	Thank you very much, nikimcbee! Not only are they close to home, so to speak, byt they're a whole dollar cheaper than the other site from which I had intended to purchase the model. Quicker delivery for less money, those go together like peanut butter and chocolate! On a somewhat down note, I may have to delay getting this VIIC model due to my trusty lawn mower "Old Gus" finally giving up the ghost and mowing his last lawn this past weekend. The good part is my new lawn mower was on sale and it has a more powerful engine as well as a rear-mounted grass catcher. No more raking grass clippings! But there goes my savings for the next three months! __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

04-29-08, 09:49 PM	#15
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	Good luck with the mower. When you get around to starting the 1/144 VIIC kit, check my 'build-it' topic... I've just begun building mine and perhaps you'll be able to avoid the mistakes I'm sure to make http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=135471 __________________ My Dangerous Waters website: