Revell U Boat Type VII C/41 Platinum Edition - 1:72 Revell

[Julien]

U Boat Type VII C/41 Platinum Edition

1:72 Revell

 

 

The Type VII submarine was based on earlier German designs. This type would go onto become the most used  German submarines of WWII with over 700 being built. As with anything there would be many modifications along the way. The type started as the V11A with an initial 10 being built.  The type VIIC would become the main boat of the German Navy with 568 being built between 1940 and 1945. With a range of 8500 nautical miles. The boats had 4 forward, and one stern tube in general (there were a few exceptions) with 14 torpedoes being carried.  For surface running and battery charging a pair of supercharged 6 cylinder 4 stroke diesel engines were used which gave a top speed of 17.7 knots. A maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots was possible with a new fully charged battery. The submarines generally carried a crew of 44 to 52 men in what can best be described as "cramped" conditions.  For anyone familiar with the original "Das Boot" mini series U-96 was a Type VIIC.

 

 

The Kit

This boxing is a re-release of Revell's new tooling from 2003 which was released again in 2006. This new boxing is a Platinum edition, It contains all of the original plastic, two large sheets of photo etch, self adhesive wooden decks; and metal parts for the Periscopes (extended & retracted), snorkel mast, radar mast, nav lights, ensign staff, boom support, & gun barrels. such is the large number of these additional parts that a complete separate instruction book is provided for them.

 

 

Construction begins with the torpedo tube, the modeller must decide whether to have them open or shut and then fit the respective parts into the hull sections. Once this is don't two internal bulkheads for strength are added in and the left/right hull sections can be joined. The stand can then be made up and the hull placed on it.  Construction now moves to the stern and the details for the propeller shafts, propellers and supporting structure are added.  Once these are on the stern planes and twin rudders can be added.  Switching back to the bow, the bow planes are added along with the anchor and protective guides for the bow planes. 

 

 

 

Next the snorkel is made up, This part is moveable so care must be taken to follow the instructions if you want it to work. The snorkel is fitted into the appropriate deck section, and all the main deck sections can be added to the hull. Work now switches to the conning tower of the sub. The search and attack periscopes are made up installed into the decking along with the tower hatch, The upper tower deck and the lower one are then added into the tower superstructure. Radio masts and other item are then added in also. The deck extension for the anti aircraft gun is then added as well. The single 3.7cm flack gun can then be built up and added. Two additional twin barrelled 20mm Zwilling Anti aircraft guns are then made up and fitted to the tower decking as well.  Once these are on various deck fittings, ladders and the railings are added.  Finally the ensign staff can be added. 

 

 

The coning tower can then be added to the main hull. Thread is provided for the  one forward and to aft  wires from the conning tower along with the blocks for securing it.  The hull is then finished of with a variety of smaller fittings. 

 

 

Platinum Edition

As mentioned this is Revell's Platinum Edition which features two large sheets of photo etch, self adhesive wooden decks; and metal parts for the Periscopes (extended & retracted), snorkel mast, radar mast, nav lights, ensign staff, boom support, & gun barrels. such is the large number of these additional parts that a complete separate instruction book is provided for them and this must be read in conjunction with the main booklet.  As expected there are many parts here and I suspect not for the beginner. The many fittings which will replace moulded on detail will look good on the model. The guns also benefit from many detail parts and metal barrels. All the railing will look much better in etch rather than plastic. 

 

 

 

 

Markings

There are decals for U 997, U 995, U 295, U 324, U 307, U 1023, U 1002, U 1105 included on the sheet with diagrams to show the different paint schemes on individual boats as well as small histories of them.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

It's good to see this kit re-issued as it makes up into an impressive model. The addition of the platinum parts should make a big difference over the kit plastic.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

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

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[bentwaters81tfw]

I await the results from a Master constructor of submarines!

[Mike]

9 minutes ago, bentwaters81tfw said:

I await the results from a Master constructor of submarines!

I forgot about that aspect of his past - he might have trouble with the welding of parts though

 

Lovely pics Julien

[bentwaters81tfw]

Nah, he'd just use Plastic Weld. Plasma might be a bit OTT

7 minutes ago, Mike said:

I forgot about that aspect of his past - he might have trouble with the welding of parts though

 

Lovely pics Julien

 

[Mike]

2 minutes ago, bentwaters81tfw said:

Nah, he's just use Plastic Weld. Plasma might be a bit OTT

 

It would be kind of funny to watch though

[bentwaters81tfw]

Just now, Mike said:

It would be kind of funny to watch though

You've not seen him beat the out of the Meteor and T-33 have you?

[nheather]

Shame it isn't one of the VIIC's with an 8.8cm deck gun.  Would have definitely caved in then.

 

Cheers,

 

Nigel

[Nocoolname]

This fell into my shopping basket a month before the Trumpeter 1/200 Titanic did. I'm still not sure how it happened. Similar thing occurred with all of the CMK detail sets for the kit. Truly strange. Awesome kit though.

[Andre B]

But a pair of accurate propellers is still missing...