U 84, Type VIIB Submarine

"MSW crew-mate Bob Cicconi (bobcicconi) shares a gallery of images of a late conversion build of his, VII B Submarine, U 84, in this "On Display" feature!"

the vessel

Type-VIIB
Ordered-9 Jun, 1938
Laid down-9 Nov, 1939 Flender-Werke, Lübeck (werk 280)
Launched-26 Feb, 1941
Commissioned-29 Apr, 1941-Oblt. Horst Uphoff
Commanders-29 Apr, 1941 - 7 Aug, 1943-Kptlt. Horst Uphoff
Career-8 patrols-29 Apr, 1941 - 31 Aug, 1941 1. Flottille (training)
1 Sep, 1941 - 7 Aug, 1943 1. Flottille (front boat)
Successes-6 ships sunk for a total of 29.905 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 7.176 GRT
Fate-Sunk on 7 Aug, 1943 in the North Atlantic, in position 27.55N, 68.03W, by a Mk 24 homing torpedo from an American Liberator aircraft (VB-105/B-4 USN). 46 dead (all hands lost).

the model...

This sub model was modified from the 1:125 Revell U-99 kit. The aft platform, 20mm gun assemblies including pedestals, platform and conning tower decks, and nav lights were all scratchbuilt.

The 88mm deck gun barrel, 20mm barrels, and pedestals were turned on a lathe. Extensive modification to the original kit was done, including drilling out the limber holes, grinding off the molded rails and ladders and substituting brass rod, and adding the loop antenna on the starboard side of the tower.

Two Nautilus photo etch kits were used, as was an AMP (Accurate Model Parts) flag that was made specifically for this build. Rigging was .004 dai riki line. Floquil and Testors paints were used as well as Alclad pale gold for the propellers. Keith Bender made the pedestals, mounting base, and cover for me. It was a lot of work, as the U-99 is an old kit, but I was happy with the results!