I’m looking at building a type XXI for next year’s Battle of the Atlantic group build, but being an aircraft modeller I’m not particularly au fait with the kits out there.
I wanted to use the Revell 1/144 kit, but not the one with the full interior. Does this boxing only come with the cut away hull? If so, how different is the Willhelm Bauer boxing from the standard wartime XXI?
Has anyone had any experience with these kits? If so what were they like?
Many thanks
Karl
Revel makes the Type XXI U 2540 1:144 with interior
you can check it out here
http://tridenthobbies.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=NM&Product_Code=RMG5078
It’s not as well detailed as the 1:72 of course but the interior is fairly good. Nothing compared to the resin kits for the 1:72.
I can’t find it on either the revell-monogram site or the revel germany site, but it is still available, even though trident does not have it in stock, I see it all the time in hobby stores.
There is a Revell Type XXI without an interior, I have one. I don’t see it currently listed at GreatModels, so it may be “retired”. This kit is decent sized, but it does have some inaccuracies- a hatch where there wasn’t one, some issues with the tower guns, incorrect “balkangerat” (chin sonar array) and such…mostly minor stuff.
The Wilhelm Bauer was a modified Type XXI that used a completely different conning tower, had modifications to the lower torpedo tubes (“ablauf” if I remember correctly???); I personally wouldn’t try to backdate this kit to the “original”. Better to hunt down the Revell kit.
There is no 1/72 scale Type XXI in styrene. There was a 1/50 scale for R/C from a company called Rocky Mountain Subs a few years back. There’s also a 1/48 scale for R/C available.
whoa I really should not reply to this board before my first coffee, man did I read that one wrong
Flaver I know that feeling only too well. Thanks for the feedback though.
Sam I saw the kit without the interior in my LHS about a year ago, didn’t pick it up at the time.
Looks like I might end up building the sectioned version, and just turn the sectioned side to face the wall!
Thanks
Karl
The Revell 1/144 Type XXI without interior can still be had at swap meets and some better stocked hobby shops. It’s not a bad kit at all.
Jeff
I have a couple to spare.
Hello Jeff,
Is that model of the Type XXI one of your builds? Is it out of the box? I am told that the hull requires corrections
as it has some inaccuracies. Are they that prominent?
By the way beautiful paint job.
Regards,
That’s one of my builds. I opened the drain ports and free-flood aperatures, and I added PE grab irons to the conning tower.
I have the Anatomy of the Ship book on the Type XXI, and there’s a few minor changes, but it was nothing that I was going to haggle with. Most of the inaccuracies are not because of bad information, rather, Revell used the Wilhelm Bauer as a reference when they did this kit. The Bauer has some post-war mods that were retained after the boat was converted back into wartime configuration. They carried over to the kit.
Unless you’re a Type XXI expert or have a set of blueprints in front of you, no one is going to know the difference.
Jeff
Jeff-
First off- that’s a very nice model of the XXI…[bow]
You’re comments are dead on about the inaccuracies on the model. The biggest one that I can remember is the entry hatch on the rear deck that is molded in, where there was no hatch on the original boat.
As you say, there’s a few other minor things, but overall it is a good kit. I still have one unbuilt with the exposed interior, but I’d rather have the whole hull version…
i thought that i saw somewhere that revell did a 1/72nd XXI, or was i dreaming?
Robbe makes one in 1/40 scale.
BTW that’s the revell 1/72 kit at the top.
SB
Hello DROF88,
Wow just had the same dream!
In reality Revell does not make a Type XXI in 1:72 scale.
But as some have said, who knows what the future reserves. Maybe our dreams will
become a reality.
Special Hobby has recently released a Type XXIII in 1:72 scale…a real beauty and there is
a Type II in the making. Also it was recently announced that a US Gato/Balao is under development and I believe by either Revell/Monogram or Revell of Germany.
So as you see we submarine modellers have got a lot to look forward to, in the near future.
As far as general modelling is concerned, I don’t think we have ever been so lucky as in the last decade or so. Look at all the new stuff hitting the market.
Have a nice day and happy modelling,( and dreaming )
Good dreams tend to always become a reality !
Joe
[:)]
thanks Joe!!![:D]
i was wonderin, roughly how big yould the 1/72nd XIII be? and has anyone heard of the price? ive got into building subs and fitting them out r/c…reackon it would work?
Hello Daniel,
The Special Hobby 1:72 scale Type XXIII measure up at 47cm in length with internal diameter of 5 cm. I would say comfortable enough for basic RC conversion. It is a single prop sub so
the propulsion should be quite simple.
I found it to be a little pricey; paid here in Canada $ 80.00 for the kit but I have no regrets.
The kit is styrene and well detailed. It also comes with many resin parts and PE details.
Have a nice day and happy modelling,
Joe
[:)]
Hope nobody minds me resurrecting this thread but it seemed the most appropriate place to ask…
How does Revell’s 1/144 XXI compare to Trumpeter’s 1/144 XXI?
According to some, it is an exact copy.It has been modified to accept a motor for running
in water. I picked one up and was really disappointed with the not so crisp details and
company drilled holes, over some important details, so as to be able to accept the motor unit. Also because of this mod. the rear propulsion system has been turned into a joke.
Basically don’t waste your money…do seek out the REVELL kit! Unfortunely Revell only
markets the one with the interior at this present time and the Wilhelm Bauer which was
a type XXI but the conning was heavily modified.
Seek out the Revell Type XXI … make sure it is the U-2518, it is the full hull version and
very crisply detailed. Will be a breeze to build…see it in previous post by Jeff Herne.
According to Jeff, it only has minor anatomical flaws which can be overlooked for
accuracy purposes.
I found one fellow in Wisconsin, that recently sold me 2 of them. I am now very happy
to add them to my collection.
Try looking up this fellow, goes by the name of Rick Heinbaugh and posts on the
ship sites and here too, I believe. He told me he had a few for sale.
You’ll enjoy the kit.
Have a nice day and happy modelling!
Joe
[:)]
Steve-looks a lot like a doggie to me! 
Thanks for the info Joe. I’m in the UK so shipping from Wisconsin is not going to be the prefferred option but if nothing comes up on e-bay I might track the guy down. Thanks again
Best Regards
Joe
Hi again,
Found him!
Go back to a Sept. 6 post in this topic and contact Rick_H. He is actually is Seattle,WA. USA
Very nice person to deal with. Inquire about shipping to UK.Should not be a problem.
Regards,
Joe
[;)]