Gato, Snowberry or something else?

Hello Great White North!

 You didn't indicate the level of your building skills, I'm guessing you're comfortable with large builds. The Revell/Matchbox corvette is 1979 manufacturing technology, I thought it was pretty wicked back in 1980, now, not so much. The general fit/assembly is good, no construction nightmares, BUT the level of detail is, well, crude by todays standards. There is a LOT of aftermarket parts designed for that kit plus a great deal of building references that were not readily available in 1980. Heck, the internet is a treasure trove of corvette info, no need to use the kits guns, fittings, etc. if you can scratchbuild.  The Revell sub models are quite good with decent fittings and good overall fit. And there are a number of aftermarket items available if you want to take the sub to the "next level". Personally, if I want to build the model bad enough, I don't consider the cost, it's my only "vice". And no matter what you model, trains, boats, cars, etc, there's always a way make display room for a favorite project. Good luck in whatever model you choose.

Ok, here's the thing.  My skills are intermediate and I feel comfortable with any of these projects, but NOT with extensive amounts of scratchbuilding.  One of my major concerns about the Snowberry aftermarket stuff is that none of it seems to be presently available.  I haven't done an exhaustive search, but when online sources have provided links they seem to be to companies and/or products that no longer exist.  I know ebay is something people always suggest in these situations but I'm simply not willing to pay the huge prices that some of these things demand. 

Are there any in-production aftermarket sets out there for the Snowberry kit?

For the Gato, as it's self is a nice model and as mentioned there is some after market items available and more on the way, I even have brass sound heads for sale.

Even out of the box with just the addition of the missing exhaust openings on the sides and the also missing flood holes along the bottom it will be an excellent representational of a WW2 sub.

If you are feeling gutsy you can do some deck and fairwater mods to a specific boat and time.

Keep in mind that of you have limited space this may not be the model for you since it's 51" long.

Eric...

Hello Canadian Neighbor!

  Have you visited Bob Pearson's Flower Class Corvette site? He's located "up North" in Canada just Google his site and get a good overview of the ship's class. As to aftermarket...Loyal Hanna shipyard carries the "Great Little Ships" line of aftermarket corvette parts. They are somewhat expensive but the parts are broken down into groups(bridge, weapons, etc) and folks purchase them as they can afford them, you don't have to purchase them all to get a good looking model. Sirmar model products offers an aftermarket corvette set. The Sirmar items are less expensive but not as varied as the GLS line. 

 Again, it's up to you as a builder on how much you want to invest in time and money. But remember most importantly build what you want, the way you want and HAVE FUN!  

Look at the corvettes and Bob Pearson's site: www.cbrnp.com/RNP/Flower/contents.htm

The RCN used these little ships and many can be made,- choose your ship.

Build it the way you want and enjoy it.

-Tom

BGuy wrote:

One of my major concerns about the Snowberry aftermarket stuff is that none of it seems to be presently available. Are there any in-production aftermarket sets out there for the Snowberry kit?

Check with Don Spielberger at Loyalhanna Dockyard.

http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/

 tell him I sent you... Don occasionally advertised in The SubCommittee Report", and I used to be in the Buffalo Model Boat club with Don, his brother and their dad.

The Revell subs are very nice models.

Have you considered the Special Navy Type II U Boat?

Edit: just saw thunder1's post...sorry about that...!

Thanks for all the info so far guys.  I'll check out the websites you've listed and consider the Special Navy Type II u-boat, even though it seems rather pricy for what it is.  Brett Green's review is very positive.

Any other 1/72 scale nautical suggestions?

Revell Germany has a couple of nice modern 1/72 kits German SAR vessels.  There's the Hermann Marwede, and the Arkona.  

Tamiya also has the PT-15 modern patrol boat

Going back to WW2: 

Landing Craft:  There's the Airfix LCVP, and the Trumpeter LCM-3.

Patrol Boats:  Revell PT-109; Airfix Vosper, Airfix E-boat; Airfix RAF Rescue Launch

Subs:  There's the Revell Type VII U-boats-- a bit smaller than the Gato.  There's also the new Japanese sub by Lindberg....

Going farther back:  Zvezda has an interesting selection of Oared and early sail vessels.