Even at 1/400 scale this is quite a small uboat. It is a type llD from Mirage Hobby and I’ve also added their photo-etch along with Tom’s Modelworks. I do have some questions before proceeding forward and hope someone can provide answers:
- The stock model had shields around the props, wondering if this was accurate since the line drawings that I did find had them exposed.
- The two tone grey segment hull camou - did this also extand across the decks? Also, was this camou utilized before this class of subs were shipped overland to the Black Sea? Still with the decks, did they have wooden gratings and if so natural wood colour or painted grey?
- Any suggestions for specific colour of grey paints?
Thanks!
nice model! [:)] lots of detail in a small package!
when you say “shields around the props”- do you mean Kort nozzles? Some of the Type II (C or D, I can’t remember which) had Kort nozzels around the props, which look like the nozzles that were found on some of the German Seehund midget submarines. (If this explanation isn’t clear, think of the shroud around the propulsors on a SSN-21 Seawolf…)
Most U-Boats had their wooden decks painted dark grey. Grun, lichgrau, dunkelgrau are all decent colors to use for U-Boats. Grun is sort of a green/blue tinted gray that shows up on lots of type VIIs.
Might I suggest you get your hands on “vom original zum modell uboottyp II” as a great reference for the Type II boats. (ISBN: 3763760237)
Additionally, there a book on the Type II and it’s role in the Black Sea that would probably answer your question about the camo (although I believe you are correct that these Type IIs did use two color camo…)
Looks good. I usually build armor but got the Mirage kit of U571 had such a great time with it I pre-ordered the Revell 1/72 U-Boat. Did you use wire for the aerial? I have to hand it to you being able to use that small of P/E. I’ld have it glued to everything but the model.
Thanks samreichart and Tiger44 … I had to look up Kort Nozzles on google, so yes that is what I’m referring to. The aerial is photo-etch and yes it sure is a trial in patience put those little details on. The railing was most difficult, but finally conquered it by taping one end down while gluing the other. Then once glue is set peel tape off and add glue to that end.
I hope you plan to show us the finished model.