Inroduction...

When Archer Fine Transfers contacted me to review this new product, it was told that they were advised that I was the person to analyze the product. This was a good feeling but I started wondering what it would be "the new product". Well, my answer was in my mailbox less that one week after we talked.

Mr Mailman....

Mr Mailman left the sturdy box from Archer on my mailbox... part of it - half was out! But at least he didn't force it as he usually do with publications!
When I opened the box, a plastic envelope type with some transfers visible.
So far nothing new until I touched the plastic... Surprise!

Resin Decal Details

This set is "just" all the rivets and weld beads designed for a 1/72 VII-C U-boat hull.
You'll get three sheets of transparent decal with several types of rivets (single row, double row, horizontal, etc (see description of the decal sheets)) that you will have to cut and apply as a regular decal and replace the missing details while making the hull parts, either by sanding, for accuracy or by any other reason.

The first thing you will notice is that the decal sheet is not flat. This is because all the black details you see are resin applications on the decal sheet. It is almost as you are touching a braille typed page. The resin detail appears to be even in dimensions and height (strange reference when you are talking about decals, isn't it?). Space between rivets is also regular, which is good.

What you get in this set?

Now that the surprise and admiration has passed, let's see what you get here!

Sheet 1:
- A) Single row, bow and stern

- B) Double row, bow and stern

- C) Horizontal and Vertical, bow fine pitch

- D) Vertical, overall

- E) Vertical, lower bow

- F) Vertical Double Row, lower amidships

- G) Vertical, lower amidships

- H) Vertical, lower amidships

- J) Vertical, stern

- K) Horizontal, top edge

Sheet 2 :
40 weld lines

Sheet 3:
- Port and Starboard curved welds

- Port and Starboard curved double riveted for hull (bow)

Application instructions and Diagram location for decal "parts"
- Easy to understand step-by-step instructions how to apply these decals (six steps)

- Three U-Boot hull profiles with colored key to where is what diagrams.

I should also add that the research and illustrations were made by Glenn Cauley (MSW member GLENNCAULEY).

Checking it...

I know I can be a little nitpick, but with all respect to Glenn, I have checked for the weld and rivet locations on my books. After looking at ten books, for plans and also for many detail photos of the real Typ VII-C U-boot, I can say that this set will make a "small" contribution to make that small detail of a 1/72 scale rivet a big detail!
From what I have seen, the placement and locations of weld seems/rivets looks dead-on, with the differences between single/double rows of rivets well identified.

Conclusion

A very welcome addition to the already huge after market range of products for Revell of Germany's 1/72 scale Typ VII-C U-Boot.

One of a kind product, easy to apply, great detail enhancement - a simple and highly effective product, resulted from all the work of research made by Glenn. All I can say is that Glenn had all the trouble and we can easily benefit from it. If you have any doubts or don't know Glenn's work, check the Features area (Modeling U-625 and Making Weld Beads, an MSW SBS.)
Highly recommended for anyone interested in having a more accurate Workhorse of the DKM!

Many Thanks to Glenn Cauley for his work and to Archer Fine Transfers in supplying the review sample.

Rui Matos

References for the interested U-Boot modelers

Some of my U-boot books checked were (this may sound ridiculous for reviewing some resin bolts and weld seems, but...):

Vom Original zum Modell: Uboottyp VII-C
By Fritz Köhl and Axel Niestle
Bernard & Graefe Verlag
ISBN 3-7637-6002-4

Anatomy of The Ship - The Type VII U-Boat
By David Westwood
Conway
ISBN 0-85177-933-6

U-Boats in Camera - Archive photographs from the U-Boot-Archiv, Germany (1939-1945)
By Jak P. Mallmann Showell
Sutton Publishing Limited
ISBN 0-7509-1557-9

Enigma U-Boats - Breaking the Code
By Jak P. Mallmann Showell
Ian Allan Publishing
ISBN 9-780711-027640

U-Boote
1935-1945 The History of the Kriegsmarine U-boats
By Jean-Philippe Dallies-Labourdette
Histoires & Collections
ISBN 2-908-182-42-4

Das Boot
El submarino alemán en la historia y el diorama
Andrea Press
ISBN 8-43196-170157

U-Boats - The Illustrated History of the Raiders of the Deep
By David Miller
Brassey's
ISBN 1-57488-246-5

Type VII U-boats
By Roger Chesneau
Classic Warships Publishing
ISBN 1-86176-238-0

U-Boats in Action
By Robert C. Stern, Illustrated by Don Greer
Squadron Signal Publications
ISBN 0-89747-054-0

U-Boat War
By Timothy J. Kutta
Squadron Signal Publications
ISBN 0-89747-395-7

Kriegsmarine Type VII U-Boats
By Steve Wyper
Warship Pictorial Nº27
ISBN 0-9745687-6-7