Revell Type VIIB U-Boat U-47 with interior. 1:125

[Shar2]

Type VIIB U-Boat U-47

1:125 Revell

The VIIA had limited fuel capacity, so 24 Type VIIB boats were built between 1936 and 1940 with an additional 33 tonnes of fuel in external saddle tanks which added another 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km; 2,900 mi) of range at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced. They were slightly faster than the VIIA, and had two rudders for greater agility. The torpedo armament was improved by moving the aft tube to the inside of the boat. Now an additional aft torpedo could be carried below the deck plating of the aft torpedo room (which also served as the electric motor room) and two watertight compartments under the upper deck could hold two additional torpedoes giving it a total of 14 torpedoes. The only exception was U-83, which lacked a stern tube and carried only 12 torpedoes.

Type VIIBs included many of the most famous U-boats of World War II, including U-48 (the most successful), Prien's U-47, Kretschmer's U-99, and Schepke's U-100.

On the surface the boat was powered by two supercharged MAN, 6 cylinder 4-stroke M6V 40/46 diesels (except for U-45 to U-50, U-83, U-85, U-87, U-99, U-100, and U-102 which were powered by two supercharged Germaniawerft 6-cylinder 4-stroke F46 diesels) giving a total of 2,800–3,200 metric horsepower (2,100–2,400 kW) at 470 to 490 rpm. When submerged, the boat was powered by two AEG GU 460/8-276 (except in U-45, U-46, U-49, U-51, U-52, U-54, U-73 to U-76, U-99 and U-100 which retained the BBC motor of the VIIA) electric motors giving a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW) at 295 rpm.

The Model
It appears that all we see from Revell are re-pops or reboxed kits from their back catalogue, there are very few new kits being released. It’s the same for this kit, which was originally released in 1975, with some new parts added in 1988 and it’s beginning to show. Whilst, for the most part, the details on the parts aren’t as soft as has been seen on some re-releases, the moulds are definitely showing their age. There is a lot of flash on the parts and sprues and some parts just seem a little fuzzy. That said, according to some sources it is actually quite accurate shape wise, yet the interior really could do with some detailing as it’s rather lacking in the interior compartments. The floppy end opening box, with a artistic impression of the submarine underwater, yet showing all the interior cutaways, contains the two hull halves and six sprues in a medium grey styrene, a smallish decal sheet and a paper sheet of signal flags. Due to the internal structure it would be wise to paint as much as you can before assembly as it will be rather difficult with everything in place.

Naturally being a cutaway model the construction begins with the interior which is made up of a series of compartments interconnected with bulkheads. First up is the battery compartment with the banks of batteries sandwich between two decks and finished off with the fore and aft bulkheads. To the foreward bulkhead the bow torpedo room floor is attached followed by the bow bulkhead, complete with pre-moulded torpedo tube doors, and has four torpedoes fixed to the deck. There are another three torpedoes fitted to a curved rack that is glued to the inside of the starboard hull section. Moving aft the main control consoles and gauges are glued to a side plate which in turn is also glued to the starboard hull, followed by the two compartments assembled earlier. In the centre control room two deck mounted consoles are fitted in front of the two banks of gauges.

Moving further aft the two diesel engines are assembled, each made up of two halves, then installed, with one engine attached to the starboard hull and the other to the additional deck plate. Further aft still, is the stern torpedo compartment, which again consists of the deck and two bulkheads and fitted out with another control console on the starboard side and two torpedoes glued to the deck. The instructions then call for the mass of decal gauges and placards to be used, which is a good call as it will be rather awkward waiting till the end of the build. Back in the main control room, another bulkhead is added between the aft gauge console and the main bulkhead between which three bunks are fitted to the starboard hull. Staying in the control room, two periscope trunks are assembled, each of two halves and glued into position, followed by what look like two plotting tables, one foreward and one aft of the periscopes. At this point the crew members included in the kit can be positioned as required. The two sections of the main deck are then fitted and the hull closed off with the addition of the rear external tube door scallop and the port hull section.

The action now moves to the main deck with the fitting of the control room/tower connecting hatch, hatch hinge and pipework. The tower is made of the deck, two tower halves, deck hatch, auxiliary console, with associated decal gauges and access ladder, voice tube, and the two periscopes. The completed assembly has three crew members positioned before being glued to the main deck. The main gun is built up from the single piece barrel, trunnion mounts, plus the elevation and traversing wheels, then glued into position. The 20mm cannon mount is also assembled and fitted aft of the tower along with its associated railings. Form the bows the cable cutter plus supports, foredeck bollard, foreplanes, and main gun railings are attached, followed, still moving aft, by the tower railings, rear aerial mounts, sternplanes, rudders, rudder supports, propeller shafts and propellers are fitted. The only thing left to complete the build is to assemble the three part stand and rig the aerials with your favourite medium.

Conclusion
Whilst this kit is definitely getting on a bit and showing its age, it can still be made into a good looking model, particularly if a lot of extra detailing is added and maybe some lights if you feel that way inclined. You may also wish to change the stand and decals as you can only build U-47 as it is. Recommended

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or