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Type II U-Boat Kagero Super Drawings in 3D First launched in June 1935, the Type II were the first U-boats commissioned in German yards after the repudiation of the Versailles Treaty. Unknown to other nations at that time, Germany had already begun construction for 12 new Type II U-boats as early as 1934. It was not until the signing of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in February 1935 that construction began to be undertaken publicly. By June 15 1935, the first class of the Type II was launched. Small and cramped, the Type IIs were coastal boats intended principally for training, but because of the shortage of available boats, they were later relegated to war duties. With a crew of 25, the boats had limited range and carried enough provisions for three to four weeks, but frequently returned to port after expending their supply of torpedoes. Due to their small size and heavy rolling on the sea, the Type IIs quickly earned the nickname “Dugout Canoes”. Although of limited use in the open ocean, some remarkable successes were accomplished early in the war by U-boat aces such as Otto Kretschmer. The Type II also earned the respect and admiration of the crew due to its high manoeuvrability, rapid diving time and durability. Later in the war, due to the ever increasing need for training new crews, all Type II U-boats were withdrawn from combat duties and assigned to full-time training. A total of 50 Type II U-boats were built during the war. There are four variants, Type IIA, IIB, IIC and IID. Another in the great series of 3D format books from Kagero with only the first two pages dedicated to the history of construction, and mention of the four types of Type II submarines produced. The remaining pages are full of 3D drawings. The drawings and artwork are very clear and would be easy to work from. Each Type II sub-mark, (A to D), is given its own section covering what seems like every external part of the boats, each and every fitting on them. There are also larger close up drawings of items such as the weapons and their differing style of mounting. The rigging and wiring is particularly useful. Also included is a double sided A2 sheet of line drawings in 1:144 scale, making them perfect for using with the Revell/ICM kits and seeing where and how they need to be modified to produce an accurate model. Conclusion This is a superb and very useful book for those of us who have the kits in the stash or are wishing to buy one, knowing that it should be possible to recreate an accurate rendition. The line drawings are the icing on the cake of beautifully rendered 3D offerings.