AFV Club 1/350 scale Kit No. 73503; German U-Boat Type VII C
Following the release of the Mk. VIIb kit (item SE 73502), comes the much-anticipated Type C U-boat. This review being written by an Armor modeler, please forgive my ignorance about all things naval. This is the first naval subject I've ever attempted. I'm much more accustomed with 1/35th scale, so working with something a mere tenth of that was, at first, foreboding.
Contents...
63 parts are in AFV Club's familiar green plastic, the remainder being in finely-etched brass. Included is a lovely display stand with name plaque and four torpedoes. A nice addition is the inclusion of victory pennants, radar ariel, and railings, and ladder, also in PE brass.
Construction...
A simple one-weekend project, my fears about working in this scale proved unfounded. A pressure hull, complete with fore and aft torpedo openings, is first laid between the hull sides. although a pin-wash of oils will nicely bring-out the exquisite deck and hull detail, I opted to carefully scrape though the inside of the upper hull to expose some of the hull vents. (see photo, RIGHT). The conning tower is particularly complete, with very well-defined floor details.
My inexperience showed when attempting to join the upper and lower hull halves together: do not, as I learned, firmly cement the lower hull halves solid before placing the upper deck! One not confident in working with PE brass has the option to instead fit the railings provided in plastic. To say I was impressed by the detail possible in this scale is an understatement. One will find subtle details not found even in the big 1/72nd scale Revell kits. Even the deck gun rotates! For a beginner like myself, I highly recommend this kit. For the expert, I can see the potential for some interesting scratch-built details.
Decals...
Markings are included to depict U-96, U-201, and U-558.
Conclusion...
Finishing this tiny gem has whetted my appetite to try other naval subjects. Luckily, AFV Club continues to provide more releases in this scale. The company strategy during these uncertain economic times will be to offer value and great detail at an affordable price. The few hours I spent on this kit provided an enjoyable change from building armor.
SUMMARY
Highs: Excellent detail and innovations not usually found for this price. Simplicity of build makes it a breeze for even a land-lubber like me. Great value for the money!Lows: Can't really ask for any more at this price!Verdict: Highly recommended -not just to ship modelers; beginners and experts alike.
About Ted Hayward (ted_hayward) FROM: TAIPEI, TAIWAN / 台灣
From B.C., Canada. Living in Taiwan for past several years. I've been building kits for as long as memory serves -armor, aircraft, cars. Big fan of 1/16th scale armor kits. Currently serving as poster boy for working with CA adhesives in a well-ventilated area. My first kit was the positively awful ...
These type kits (Uboats) make excellent weekend projects. Quick, simple and look good when you are done. Then put them next to one of your big BB's so that all so importnt sise difference. Someone makes prepainted Geman sailors PIt road I am pretty sure is the name of the company. I only found them at Hobbyworld Japan though.
TAD,
First off, thanks for the review.
I am aware Revell of Germany just released the same sub in the same scale but without PE parts.
Following this nice representation I opted to get me the AFV version and am very pleased about what I received just recently.
Nicely done little kit and easy to work with due to the low number of parts and accurate manufacturing.
Please watch out and research which version of a sub had a netcutter and which not.
With so many Type VIIc produced in WWII there were quiet different configurations.
Thanks for the review and comparision with Revell - I rather have this one (and 350 scale) than the huge Revell boat (or that Lindberg recent release that is taller than my daughter!). Don't have much display space.... thanks
Looks like the best 1:350 VIIc out there yet, though I fail to see the point of a inner hull/turret when the floodholes closed.
The inclusion of PE sure is nice and makes this kit a winner - nice build up.
Thanks for the insight - cheers/Jan
Comments