CMK Type IX U-Boat Interior Sections. 1:72

[Shar2]

Type IX U-Boat Interior Sections

1:72 CMK

Soon after Revell released their 1:72 kit of the Type VIIc U-Boat, CMK produced several interior sections for it so that modellers could build a cutaway model, adding quite a bit of interest to the finished article. Well, now they’ve done the same for the 1:72 Type IX U-Boat kit. The five sections we have been sent, (there are others), are all moulded in grey resin and come complete with some etched parts and a micro saw for cutting the model sides open. Whilst the resin parts are beautifully moulded, there is quite a bit of cleaning up to do, especially from the moulding blocks for the larger parts. There are a lot of parts that go up to make up each section, yet the modeller is still required to provide some wire or plastic rod to finish them off. All sections will need to be carefully marked out on the kit hull before cutting out, fortunately CMK have thought about this, and rather than just giving a set of measurements they have provided a template for each section that is cut out and laid over the hull.

N72011 – Front Torpedo Section. Containing over 32 parts this is the biggest of all the sets and comprises basically three areas/zones. The torpedo loading area, showing the foreward bulkhead, the rear of four torpedo tubes, complete with all the ancillary pipework, air bottles and fittings. The floor of the torpedo handling area with a torpedo made up of two resin parts and completed with etched fins and propellers lying in a recess. The port side wall of the torpedo handling area is also where some of the crew are accommodated on six bunks which requires the modeller to make up the bunk supports with wire. Etched parts are included for the addition of various hand wheels, light fittings, valves and controls to the hull side and aft bulkhead. On the ceiling there are two rails and their respective supports for the moving and loading of the torpedoes, but there aren’t and chain winches, which will need to be scratch built. The aft bulkhead, if the section is to be used on its own, should have its access hatch closed, but if used with the next section along it is possible to have it posed open. If you’re going to be using the torpedo loading kit that is available, then the hatch in the ceiling of the torpedo handling section can also be posed in the open position, giving the opportunity for a rather cool diorama scene. With all the sections and bulkheads assembled it makes for a strong rigid structure which will help with strengthening the cutaway hull.

N72014 – Command Section. The heart of any submarine is the command and control section and this is represented here by a single section between the two provided bulkheads. The centre floor section is quite sparse with only the periscope housing and access ladder to the control tower fitted. On the hull side however, it’s a different matter, with a plethora of hand wheels, pipework, control boxes, lights, valves and claxon horns fitted. The floor adjacent to the rear bulkhead and side wall is slightly recessed. This is filled with more pipework and what looks like an air accumulator which is attached to a valve by a piece of wire provided by the modeller. The two bulkheads are fitted out with further hand wheels, valves and their access hatches, which as per the section above can be left open if two sections are joined together.

N72015 – Foreward Crew Quarters. This is a very simple module, with on the floor, side wall, two bulkheads, and a couple of stacked lockers. One bulkhead is fitted with a hatch, whilst the other is fitted with a door, whilst the other details include more hand wheels, claxon horns, lights and a couple of pipes.

N72016 – Captain’s & Officers’ Ward Room. Although stating that this is the wardroom it is also fitted with the enigma code room and radio room, both of which are normally enclosed with a curtain, which will need to be scratch built by the modeller. Within the floor, ceiling/sidewall and main bulkhead structure, you have bunks, stacked lockers, internal bulkhead, radio stack, enigma machine, stools, light fittings and claxon horns fitted.

N72022 – Galley. This is naturally the smallest of all the compartments reviewed here, but it is full of equipment, showing how cramped the galley was and a wonder how they cooked anything for the crew of up to 56 men. Between the two bulkheads the floor is fitted with hotplates, ovens, sinks, and a host of associated pipework, hand wheels and fittings. On the ceiling/sidewall there are more hand wheels, air filter, tannoy speaker, and an unidentifiable fan housing like fixture.

Conclusion
The Revell 1:72 Type IX U-Boat was a very welcome release and there have been some fantastic builds seen on the internet and at shows, but these sets will allow the modeller to take it to the next level. If you have the courage to cut your kit open then these sets will make for an amazing looking model. You could go even further and enhance the sets with appropriate lighting and others in the series such as the torpedo loading and external sets. You will have some careful painting to carry out, but anyone who has the ability to use these sets shouldn’t have a problem with that. Very highly recommended.

Review samples courtesy of

[whitestar12chris]

Nice review Dave, have these for the type VIIC, well worth investing in for taking to the next level.

All the best Chris

[Mike]

As I said today, you'll need someone to spot you when you lift the model with all this in it! Very nice, crisp looking resin