bronco 1:350 Uboat and Sboot

Those made the rounds on SteelNavy a couple of weeks back and the consensus was that the Schnellboot was (at the MSRP quoted) twice the price and half the detail of the White Ensign 1:350 scale S-100 offering

I haven't seen a build log of the whte ensign model. Found this picture just now.

Does seemed to come with more etched parts, but single sided etch. Knowing that bronco's etches are made by Lionroar, I still would lean towards the Bronco.

The resin is not comparable to the injection. Different levels in details.

Satori wrote:

I haven't seen a build log of the whte ensign model. Found this picture just now. Does seemed to come with more etched parts, but single sided etch. Knowing that bronco's etches are made by Lionroar, I still would lean towards the Bronco.

I disagree with your assessment of the WEM PE.  I have built the WEM offering and the PE is indeed relief-etched.

Using the photos you provide,  click on the WEM and examine the canvas dodgers.  Note the railings imbedded in the canvas.  They are raised.  Note to hexagon-shaped raised gun deck.  Planks are etched.   While looking,  note the configuration of the railings have a gutter rail.

Now look closely at the PE in  the Bronco.  The canvas rail dodgers seem to be missing,  or is that their corner sticking out from under the decals.  If it is they seem to be lacking the 3D details shown in WEM.   Can't speak about the bandstand decking because it doesn't show,  is it under the decal sheet?  The rails do not have a gutter rail, just individual stanchion posts.   This configuration of railing is the hardest to install properly.   There is very little surface area for gluing.  It is an extremely fragile attachment.  Else you have a extreme overapplication of CA to affect the installation.  (Been there done that, and failed miserably with JAG's 1:350 scale Asheville-class PG)

like I said,  I've built the WEM offering.  The resin detail is more petite and true to scale than shown in the Bronco pictures.   Styrene manufacturers have the ability to come closer to what WEM has done.  It just looks like Bronco chose not to.  Close enough is good enough, afterall. 

The difference may just be the decal sheet.   Is it worth the price delta?

Thanks Brian for relaying the post.

Edgrune,

You're correct. The PE for this Bronco model was etched on 1 side. What Brian meant is Lionroar PE are generally etched on both sides, double sided relief milling.

But the PE fret designed for this model is not.

Do you have a more detailed picture of the WEM model? I cannot see the deck details.

The estimated retail value of the Bronco S-100 is $20, so it's not more expansive than the WEM.