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Combat models Type IX question

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  • Member since
    June 2009
Combat models Type IX question
Posted by panthertank on Thursday, June 18, 2009 6:34 PM

I was wondering if anyone has tried building one of the combat models vacuformed 1:72 U-Boats.  I would love to have a Type IX or XXI to go along with my VII but I have herd that the combat model kits are totally devoid of detail and require a tremendous amount of scratch building to make them look decent.  Any information anyone could give me about these kits would be appreciated, as I have been unable to find much about them online.  Also, has anyone heard any rumors about weather or not Revell is coming out with any more 1:72 boats? 

Thanks

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: Ohio
Posted by Mick on Thursday, June 18, 2009 7:36 PM

I built a CM Typ VII for a client many moons ago, taking many hours and much rework of each of the kit's six parts. More recently I started another one, only to drop it like a hot spud when I learned of the Revell offering.

Their kits (aircraft, too) are devoid of sharp, accurate detail, and may be enjoyable to the scratchbuilder or fairly skilled vac form builder. Beware that their hull lines can be a bit, um, "imaginative", resulting in a lot of corrective surgery if accuracy is required. No periscopes, guns, props, shafts, anchor, deck furniture, etc, at least when I bought mine. All visual appeal is up to the builder, but with enough time and hard work they can look good.

I'm not saying their stuff is bad - it is just not state-of-the-art for vac form kits. If you build one you will feel you've accomplished something.

Mick

Mick
  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by panthertank on Friday, June 19, 2009 3:58 PM

what is the surface detail like?  do they give any indication of where to cut the limber holes?  is there any detail on the deck or is it juast a smooth, flat piece of plastic?

thanks

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: Ohio
Posted by Mick on Friday, June 19, 2009 8:39 PM

There are rectangular limber "holes" that project slightly from surounding surfaces, and they need to be opened up and their ends rounded. The two deck pieces have rows of similar raised rectangles to depict the drainage slots - again, they need to be opened, or sanded smooth for depiction with black decal strip, etc. There are also vague raised pads depicting hatch locations, conning tower location, deck gun location, ready ammo locker, etc. You may prefer to sand all of that flush and scratch build or kit-bash details, locating them via a decent set of commercial scale drawings you'll probably want to buy. The CM plans are not much help for building an accurate, attractive model.

I'm not trying to discourage you, nor do I wish to understate the shortcomings. I have not seen CM's Typ IX kits, but having built 1-1/2 Typ VII kits plus their 1/32 AM-1 Mauler kit, my opinion is that they provide you a very basic, poorly-detailed shape of the desired object. This allows the builder to avoid a complete scratch build of hull and conning tower, but you still have to create and add virtually all detail. Sorry I have no images to show you. But if you enjoy scratch building and kit-bashing or want to try it, and if you have the extra time, you might enjoy CM's offerings.  I sure hope this helps - good luck!

Mick
  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by panthertank on Friday, June 19, 2009 9:10 PM

Thanks for the info.  I am pretty apprehensive about taking on such a large project,  (especially since I know that the moment i invest $200 in the kit, detail sets and reference material Revell will announce a brand new 1:72 injection molded IX).  I'll probably wait a while before attempting something this ambitious 

Thanks again

Sam

 

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