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Hi all, this is the Merit X-Craft submarine which I recently built for Airfix Model World, and jolly good fun it was too. A sterling effort by Merit though there were a number of errors and omissions that needed to be dealt with to model a truly accurate X-Craft and some scratch work and a few embellishments were needed along the way. A quick, fun build and a complete change from my usual 1/700th scale stuff, saving, in the process, a fair bit of eye strain. The small Eduard PE set which included a correctly sized screw, upper horizontal deck panels and detailed ballast tank vents was used and the known issue with the single side hydroplane/rudder control mech and rods dealt with as they should only be fitted to the right side, not both. The kit went together without any fuss. I certainly learnt a lot about these amazing machines and the brave souls that manned them, heroes, to a man... References came via the excellent Paul Kemp book, 'Underwater Warriors', thanks to Chris (Whitestar12chris) for highlighting the publication, the IWM and Royal Submarine Museum Gosport archives and information from the nearby ex-Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough, where many X-Craft were built. The 1953 film 'Above us the Waves' provided useful images and information on the W&D chamber as well as some of the surface details, (the boat used for filming, XE08 was actually a later, improved version but the chamber and certain exterior details were essentially the same). A quick list of the main improvements made to the kit; Scratch-built 'Wet & Dry' diver's compartment including a hand-pumped WC, diving light, flood valve and two watertight hatches with furniture. Replacement attack periscope, ACO Mk XX magnetic compass tube and night periscope. Scratch-built entrance hatch inner facing and locking handles. Scratch-built hydroplane/rudder control mechanism added to the drilled out centre of the plane. Early style attack periscope base structure made from brass rod. New base plate detail, speaking tube and replacement Hezlet safety rail added to the snorkel mast. Shortened and sleeved side cargo fitting and release attachment points. All flood holes drilled out and correct pattern drilled into dive plane. Scale cable and fitting parts added from scrap resin and lead wire. Two fairings added to the front upper hull area, (Merit just had two indentations for some reason). The model was painted using various shades of Admiralty Dark grey, NATO Black and rusting and weathering added from several AMMO-MIG and AK products. The White Ensign decals on the small kit provided sheet weren't used as they were oversize, although one did end up on the base. At some point, I may well make a base from seasoned hardwood and use polished brass finials to support the model along with a brass nameplate. Thanks for looking, hope you like it. Melchie Some of the additions made to the basic kit, The hatches were just simple discs devoid of any detail so these were fabricated from plastic card and scrap PE. The 'W&D' compartment was made from 1mm plastic card, wet and dry grit paper (for the anti-slip flooring), scrap resin and plastic rod for the WC pump, diving light, valve and watertight hatch parts. The kit's side cargo attachment parts were fictitious and were replaced with lengths of brass tubing and eye connection hooks made from the ends of the unused hydroplane actuator rods. As I was four short extras were made up from scrap plastic. All flood holes needed to be drilled out as they were only portrayed as indentations. The hydroplane part had them as raised 'pips' for some reason (also incorrectly placed), so these were removed, the new pattern marked out and holes drilled in the appropriate places. The brass screw blades are also seen here as is the replacement two-way hydroplane/rudder actuation hub mechanism and enlarged hole, the kit part is way too small, now everything moves freely as per the real thing).