Italeri Schnellboot colour Scheme

Hi Folks

I'm dragging this one out again kicking and screaming! As some of you may have read on a recent post of mine I have returned to my Schnellboot and will be R/Cing it. Outwardly the model will be OOB but hopefully capable of tearing round a boating pond terrorising birds and other surface dwelling items.

Now I have been lucky enough to be able to spend time with original Kreigsmarine paint chips and numbers through a friend in Germany and have matched the 1943-45 schnelboot colours to the Vallejo model color range with exact shade and RAL number match (aren't I lucky!!)

The main colour which is Schnelboot Weiss matches 70993 White Grey

the decks match Valejo colour 70869 Basalt Grey

Now for the waterline and below. The paint colours are either Valejo 70862 Black Grey or 70950 Black. It seems that the black waterline stripe was abandoned and many photos I have seen (although in black and white) seem to confirm this painting instruction. The 1943-45 OKW Schnelboot paint orders do not mention a red hull and black waterline.

Now I have no beef with Italeri as I think that they have done a fine job in bringing this boat to us in this scale (people will probably disagree with me) but I think that their painting instructions could have done with a little bit more research a 6mm waterline in this scale? I think that that is too wide and probably 3mm or 4mm would have been better.

Also the Kreigsmarine painting instructions for the grey decks state that the wood on the decks should be painted in this non-slip grey colour (Basalt Grey). Anyone who has been to see knows that when wood gets wet it gets very slippery and who wants to try and use 20mm cannons and argue with slippery wood decking underneath their feet?

So, as I paint the hull of my model I come to ask myself the question.... do I paint the waterline and below Black Grey or Black!

I would like to know the consensus of those here.

Also, for those who have this kit I wonder if you have done the math regarding the waterline? No? Then try this:

74mm at the bow absolutly no problem there... but the stern? Remember that you have a deck camber of 2mm which is the total figure given in the build manual at the stern which is right at the centre of the stern plate - look at the drawing carefully and you can see it. which means that the side of the boat up to where the armoured kalotte fits is actually 46mm NOT 48mm. Anyone who has done their waterline at 48mm means that they are 2mm too low along the side and if they take a good long look when their boat is on it's stand at some point along the hull - usualy from the armoured kalotte to the bow it looks like the waterline rises!

Don't laugh.. but it happened to me with my first Schnellboot and it was my 4 year old nephew who pointed it out

Thanks for reading

James