For those interested

[Capt. Teach]

Greetings all,

Just thought I would drop a quick line and let you guys know I just ordered (and should receive in about 3 to 4 days) a VIIC/41 model. I dunno if anyone here is interested in models but it was quite reasonably priced ($19.49 US) and is 467mm long (just under 18.5 inches). If anyone is interested I'll be happy to PM details (as I don't want to do any unintentional promotion thing or whatever) as to where I got it. Also, if there is an interest, I can post a pic later on when I complete construction of it. I've already researched aftermarket kits to up the detail and accuracy of it and might go that direction if I can persuade the wife to go along with the purchase. (aftermarket kits can get pricey)

[Dragunov]

I would be very interested!!!:yeah:
Because I have the kit and absolutely no experience in modelling.
I´ve put it together and done a basic paint job, but no idea how to detail it and finish it.
So your info would be most welcome.
I can send you pictures if you want.


Which version are you going to build?
I have a lot of additional info on the subs if you wish (flood patterns etc)

[Trublion]

I am looking for a real one :)
I found out that you can buy decommissioned russian sub from the 50s to 450k...
Too bad we scuttle pretty much all of the german subs.

-jm

[smilinicon]

almost every simmer I know enjoys modeling :)

Model builder sites should have plenty of info on weathering techniques. Yes, pictures are a must!

[Capt. Teach]

Okay I suppose this isn't in violation of the forum rules so here is what I am looking at so far in getting:

The Model (already ordered):
http://www.revell.com/germany/ships/80-5100.html

(aftermarket details kit -main)
http://www.ipmsusa2.org/reviews2/ships/details/griffon_144_7c-details/griffon_144_7c-details.htm

(supplemental details kit)
http://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=192_329&products_id=8446

(Wooden Deck Aftermarket Kit)
Unknown at this time

Ok the first link shows you via Revel the actual model kit I have ordered through a different location. It has a nice picture and some good info details in the description. [As well as an additional link in the lower left hand corner that shows you the entire construction instructions.]

The (aftermarket details kit -main) is the primary aftermarket kit I am hoping to get for the model I have ordered. This is a nice kit and has a nice progress picture layout to show you exactly what this kit is offering for detail that the author doing the review did. (Note: all those pictures on that page can be clicked for a zoomed view.)

The (supplemental details kit) I have listed is =not for= the exact model I ordered, however, it is the proper scale (1:144) and offers =additional= details that my primary aftermarket kit does not seem to include. I would not be using all of the parts in this second kit ... but would supplement my primary aftermarket kit with some of the items in this kit. Has a nice picture layout and bonus actual pictures of the instructions for the aftermarket kit shown at this site.

I thought I had found a wooden deck aftermarket kit for my U-boat model but after further inspection I found out it is a 1:72 scale deck. :nope: So my search continues ... however I have been thinking of going down to my local do-it-yourself store (like Home Depot or Lowes) and finding some thin wood sheet veneers. With those I may just be able to construct my own wooden deck using the currently included polystyrene (sp?) injection molded deck, photos, and my rather well kitted out Dremel. Will be a huge mini-project but ... who knows ... might just work out. :up:

[Capt. Teach]

I would be very interested!!!:yeah:
Because I have the kit and absolutely no experience in modelling.
I´ve put it together and done a basic paint job, but no idea how to detail it and finish it.
So your info would be most welcome.
I can send you pictures if you want.


Which version are you going to build?
I have a lot of additional info on the subs if you wish (flood patterns etc)

As for the exact version I will build .. I'm not exactly sure at this point ... I will probably decide once I see what I have to work with in the original model once I have it in hand. :D

Yes, I think I would like the additional info on say ... flood vent patterns and maybe more to compare with the model when it arrives. (I understand the flood vent pattern did change not only with version but also with manufacturer as well and I have found some aftermarket kits that have brass photo etched flood vent panels.:up:) The aftermarket kits I have in the post just before this one I think covers a lot, however, if I use the dual gun platform tower ... my primary aftermarket kit doesn't seem to cover that ... but I could be wrong as the author doing the review seemed to go with an earlier tower version. Even if my aftermarket kit doesn't cover it though ... with the included jigs I can make several of the railings for the tower and my only need would be to figure out what exact material I will use to make those additional railings. As for additional brass parts ... I notice there is a LOT of spare brass flash or tree that could be utilized to fabricate additional parts for any added tower railings. :woot: Shouldn't be too difficult since just about any wire I pick if done in the proper gauge should work since it will be painted over anyway. :up: Another bonus is, even if I don't get the wire perfectly the small bends here and there can be made to look as possible damage or even use/abuse detail. :D

If all else fails for the railings I can make my own jigs out of blocks of wood, my dremel, and my router to get precise railing manufacture for this late war tower. :yeah: [Im pretty well decided I need to replace the tower railings that come with the kit since they had to be made far too thick for construction durability in the polystyrene injection molding process.]

[Capt. Teach]

I am looking for a real one :)
I found out that you can buy decommissioned russian sub from the 50s to 450k...
Too bad we scuttle pretty much all of the german subs.

-jm

OOoo ok a real one. Yeah might be hard for me to convince my wife to allow that ... and the bank as well since I am a public servant and would need a hefty loan to get it. However, and this is just a thought, but don't you think it would be a LOT better and a LOT more fun to start up a reality show spinoff called "Whale Wars: The U-boat Solution"? :o:rock: Now that is a reality show I could sink my teeth into watching!!! [Or heck, even living!]

[Trublion]

How do you fit torps on a whale?

[Capt. Teach]

How do you fit torps on a whale?


Carefully? :haha:

In the US there is or was a Reality Show called Whale Wars ... it was/is about a group of people that try and stop the Japanese from whaling. Totally boring show where nothing at all actually happens. I was suggesting ... a spinoff called "Whale Wars: The U-boat Solution" ... in which something very exciting would happen. :up:

[Trublion]

This indeed would be really fun, and useful for the whales.

[Capt. Teach]

Okay,

After further checking I have found that Revell also makes a VII C [1:144 scale] which is without a doubt what the author was using for the Primary Aftermarket Kit review. Which is ok, I'll just make my own railing jig for my VII C/41 and I'll be golden. :D

So, to answer your question better Dragunov, I will be making a VII C/41. :DL

[Don't tell my wife but, after I make my 41 .... I'm gonna order that VII C and make that one too! :yep: If you hear of a sudden homicide in New Mexico, USA shortly after I let you guys know I got the second U-boat model. That would be me that got killed by the wifey. :haha:]

**Edit** Also, now that I think on it ... if I'm gonna get killed ... I might as well go for the gold. [We had a saying in the Army, "If you are gonna hit an Officer, you might as well beat the living heck out of him ... one hit or severe beating ... either way it's still 20 years so get your moneys worth.:D] Sooooooo ... I'll pick myself up a really nice airbrush too. She can only kill me once right? :06: Right? :o

[Dragunov]

I meant which number and version.
I have made the 1/72th scale U-552 (early version)
Which is bigger and easier to construct.
That was very handy since I didn´t had any experience.
But I am very interested in your project, so please keep us posted.

Check http://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rokket.biz%2Fmodels%2Fmodelsw eb%2Frokket%2Fu557%2Fimages%2Fflood_patterns_dm.pd f&rct=j&q=freeflooding%20vent%20patterns%20dougie&ei=sHW8TKXFDYfrOfXhkaQN&usg=AFQjCNHDnj4pAiFtYWTxBUCffmyiGH42AA&sig2=upJzb8isS2bCN6iVr3N59A&cad=rja for the info on free-flooding Vent patterns

http://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rokket.biz%2Fmodels%2Fmodelsw eb%2Frokket%2Fu557%2Fimages%2Fuboat_colours.pdf&rct=j&q=kriegsmarine%20u-boat%20colours%20dougie&ei=GXa8TOzNCM-eOujRnLkJ&usg=AFQjCNGu5z9CsD1uBz5L-MJAmlZpGplB1Q&sig2=pv_PXNtfJuYF4l10Nn2wCw&cad=rja
for markings and colour schemes

http://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCMQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Famp.rokket.biz%2Fdocs%2Fthe_wolf_ pack_compr.pdf&rct=j&q=kriegsmarine%20u-boat%20colours%20dougie&ei=GXa8TOzNCM-eOujRnLkJ&usg=AFQjCNGfoXZ5WSohxAh4nkeY0W-NU71aSg&sig2=w7mYfL6DvzKsfMYE7LIZ3Q&cad=rja
for some additional info.

[Capt. Teach]

oo ... that is a very good point.

Those articles are awesome!!! Thanks!

Now I can see I have some major thinking to do before I start anything. I have no idea which U-boat I will model. I suppose I will wait until the model itself arrives ... and then based on what it shows (ie what it seems to be closest to or what provides me a good base to work from) I will have to determine what I think will be best.

The paint scheme article (2nd posted) and the additional info article (3rd posted) present some really interesting info and give me volumes of questions I will have to answer before I even start construction.

The free flooding vent article is a gem. I know I'll be putting this one to good use as well.

Thanks for the info again!:salute: These articles are going to prove to be invaluable to me in decision making and during execution of the build. :rock:


[Also, I sure wish I could get the same model you have ... I tried but got the major veto from the wife with "... and where will you put it?? I'm not going to have a death machine displayed anywhere in the house where guests can see it." Subtext: get it, build it, display it, and [I]die. However, I did manage to get approval for the smaller version so .. I took the compromise before she changed her mind. That was a close call too ... she suggested I build the Cutty Sark instead and although I like to build that type ... I want a U-boat dammit. :D]

[Laufen zum Ziel]

Okay I suppose this isn't in violation of the forum rules so here is what I am looking at so far in getting:

The Model (already ordered):
http://www.revell.com/germany/ships/80-5100.html

(aftermarket details kit -main)
http://www.ipmsusa2.org/reviews2/ships/details/griffon_144_7c-details/griffon_144_7c-details.htm

(supplemental details kit)
http://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=192_329&products_id=8446

(Wooden Deck Aftermarket Kit)
Unknown at this time

Ok the first link shows you via Revel the actual model kit I have ordered through a different location. It has a nice picture and some good info details in the description. [As well as an additional link in the lower left hand corner that shows you the entire construction instructions.]

The (aftermarket details kit -main) is the primary aftermarket kit I am hoping to get for the model I have ordered. This is a nice kit and has a nice progress picture layout to show you exactly what this kit is offering for detail that the author doing the review did. (Note: all those pictures on that page can be clicked for a zoomed view.)

The (supplemental details kit) I have listed is =not for= the exact model I ordered, however, it is the proper scale (1:144) and offers =additional= details that my primary aftermarket kit does not seem to include. I would not be using all of the parts in this second kit ... but would supplement my primary aftermarket kit with some of the items in this kit. Has a nice picture layout and bonus actual pictures of the instructions for the aftermarket kit shown at this site.

I thought I had found a wooden deck aftermarket kit for my U-boat model but after further inspection I found out it is a 1:72 scale deck. :nope: So my search continues ... however I have been thinking of going down to my local do-it-yourself store (like Home Depot or Lowes) and finding some thin wood sheet veneers. With those I may just be able to construct my own wooden deck using the currently included polystyrene (sp?) injection molded deck, photos, and my rather well kitted out Dremel. Will be a huge mini-project but ... who knows ... might just work out. :up:

Have one myself. Turned out nice even though most directions were in German.

[Capt. Teach]

Okie dokie,

Small info update here, I don't have the model in hand yet ... apparently it shipped today (20, October 2010):shifty:. The good news is ... it shipped today.

I'm also going to be doing all aftermarket upgrades to my model myself. I.E. making them from scratch from polystyrene stock (sheets, quarter-rounds, half-rounds, etc). So, I'll probably be doing a small "picture in progress" type thing for you guys to peruse at your leisure as things progress in the build. Hopefully, this will prove informative in the "How to upgrade your model the way you have researched it" on a tight budget (polystyrene scratch construction vs. brass aftermarket kit). If not, then perhaps it will, at the very least, serve as a "What not to do to your model" thing. :haha:

**Edit** Well, everything will be made from scratch using polystyrene except the railings for the tower, laddersteps, and other small gauge supports/handholds those I'm still planning on metal wire.

[Capt. Teach]

Happy happy joy joy,

I have the model here at the homestead. However, so far I haven't begun construction or modification because I'm still researching which U-boat I will replicate. Agggh, it is tough because finding say, 2 or three different angled pictures of the same U-boat (in this case a VII C/41 that was also fitted with a snorkle) is proving to be a real challenge. I may have to S.W.A.G. (Scientific Wild A-- Guess) it from a single photo. The other possibility is, I may have to just SWAG it from known info of shipyard and info on the U-boat's that had their keel laid down at the same time from the same shipyard and hope they were all identical or nearly so.

Will keep you all posted on final decision on which U-boat and I will lay out the info I will apply to that model ... and see if you guys agree it is as close to spot on as it can be. :cool:

[Capt. Teach]

Another happy moment,

My airbrush arrived :woot:(Badger 100LG). I have a new supply of putty filler. My glue is up to stock. Have wire, micro sandpaper (various grades). My Kriegsmarine airbrush paints are on the way (unfortunately are not expected to arrive until Nov 9th, which is ok since I have a ton of work to do prior to painting.) Finished fabricating my own rotating paint pedistal. Have a list of styrene thickness measurements taken with my Micrometer and will order the needed sheets once underway. My workstation is organized and ready to go.

I have started hand-drilling out the free flowing vents on the hull (Well, those that are common to all versions of U-boats). I'm using DORMER High Speed Steel Drill Bits (Gauges 61 - 80). Since I'm working in 1/144 scale the detail is extremely small and I discovered that using my Dremel Drill Press doesn't cut it. Unfortunately I don't own a Pin Holder (sort of a manual hand drill for jeweler drill bits) sooooooo ... necessity being the mother of invention I came up with something that works just as well if not better. I'm using an Xacto Knife holder and clamping the drill bit in the end instead of a blade. Works absolutely fantastic. I'll set up some piccys of my workstation, the makeshift pinholder I came up with, and some shots of my initial drilling here in the next day or two.

WOOT the project begins!!

[Dragunov]

Please post pictures of your progress
I am very interested.