I need some help and advice...

I'm normally modelling modern armor, but my father's birthday is coming up, and he is very interested in German submarines in WWII...

So I thougt about building a couple of submarine models for him...

I've been looking at some of Mirage's submarines 1/400... They seem to have a buch of different models!

But, are they good?
Does anyone know a good website where I can see some finished models, and maybe get some good reference on the subject?
And how long is a Type VII in the 1/400 scale???
And can anyone recommend other models?

Lot of questions... Hope you guys can help me!

Best regards,

Bjoern

One of my friends recently bought the type VII C from mirage - its an ok kit, but it is small, very small!

So the details are also small/spare, I would go for a bigger scale - maybe 1:144.

If size dosn´t matter, go for Rewell 1:72 :-)

I have to agree that the Mirage 1/400 subs are small. I bought a 1/400 British U class sub and it is just under 6 inches long. It needed a fair bit of filling, but it does include a small fret of etched parts and a resin forward hull section. Not bad for the price.

A good u-boat site is http://www.uboat.net/

If you are looking at building one maybe two types, go with larger ones. If you are looking at a collection, then definitely get the mirage stuff. They were real inexpensive buying through sqadron over here. For the money they are absolutely wonderful and there are the 3 major types represented and the significant variations of each. I picked up 8 of them. I use a little bit of leftover PE guard rail to enhance them a bit. Now, my current project is that Revell 72nd scale. If you want to build something really impressive, go with this

Thanks for the advice... I think I'll go for a larger scale then!

Are there any models in the 1/144 scale that you can recommend?

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RG5078

Hi Bjoern!

Just another little advice:
If you don't want to go to the new Revell 1/72 Typ VII-C (very good, big and excellent ratio quality/price), you could also try to find the Revell AG 1/144 Typ XXI (finishing the weathering) or any of the 1/200 U-boat from Nichimo, more dificult to find, but very good models with a fair size - not as small as the 1/400 Mirage U-boats.
Hope I could help,
Rui Matos (aka Skipper)

I'ld probably get a Type VII and a Type IX in 144 scale. There are a few kits out there, I think Revell makes them. Just look up Squadron Shop, Great Models, and Roll Models web sites see what they are offering compare prices etc and chose. I am not a real sub fanatic, like to build 350 scale BB's and AC's.