Definitive U-Boat Kit?

Take a look at the Revell Germany 1/72nd Type VII & Type IX kits.

Revell Germany also has very nice Type II, VII, and XXI kits in 1/144 at a fraction of the cost of the 1/72 kits.

For a definitive kit, surely it has to be the Revell 72nd kit. Just the size alone makes them impressive. I've got both the Type VII and Type IX as well as the 125th Type VII U-99 kit and the difference in detail if much bigger than the difference in scale would suggest.

The Revell Germany 1/72 is the best I've seen.

That old 1/125 Revell kit is pretty old and pretty crude. I've never run across the 1/144 Type VII kits, but I've looked at the instructions on the Revell Germany website. On that basis they look outstanding. There are two versions: a standard "wolf pack" convoy chaser and a minelayer. I'd like to build one. Those 1/72 behemoths are just too big for me - or my house.

I got one of those big Revell U-boats at Hobby Lobby using the 40% off coupon. Very nice kit but very big.

jtilley

That old 1/125 Revell kit is pretty old and pretty crude. I've never run across the 1/144 Type VII kits, but I've looked at the instructions on the Revell Germany website. On that basis they look outstanding. There are two versions: a standard "wolf pack" convoy chaser and a minelayer. I'd like to build one. Those 1/72 behemoths are just too big for me - or my house.

Yes, that very true, and I haven't looked at the 144 kits so my comment may have been a bit misleading. I only really got the 125th kit so I could practice painting and weathering before moving onto one of the big kits. That and my original one was lost and I wanted to re do the U-99.

The 1/144 ROG kits are quite good and there is good PE available from a couple of vendors. Especially good if don't have the room to build/display the 1/72 kit.

Thanks for all replies.  I'll go with a Revell type VII 1/144 kit.  A 1/72 kit looks awesome, but I'm not a big fan of huge models.

kenjitak

The 1/144 ROG kits are quite good and there is good PE available from a couple of vendors. Especially good if don't have the room to build/display the 1/72 kit.

What are ROG kits?

ROG = Revell of Germany. It releases many kits that don't appear in the American Revell/Monogram catalog - though the two lines overlap considerably.

Just go to scalehobbyist.com.  You can see lots of U Boat kits in various scales.

You won't be disappointed with the RoG 1/144 U-Boat kits. They are outstanding, and they are large enough to be considered "big" (but not too big!)  Also, Trumpeter manufactures two Chinese/Soviet boats, two American Gato class boats and the Seawolf (SSN-21), and a Soviet/Russian Kilo in that scale. Good luck!

Bill

I have both the 1/72 and 1/144 scale boats and the details ROG is putting out is quite impressive. If you have the space go with the 1/72 scale. If your space is limited then go with the 1/144 scale boats.

This is my ROG 1/144 scale Type VII/C with the Griffon super detail set containing brass details and turned metal barrels.

Nice looking U-Boat!  I do have space for a 1/72 kit, but I'm not sure how I would paint it because it won't fit inside my spray booth.  Since a U-Boat doesn't require a complex painting scheme, maybe I could simply use a spray can...

Thanks.

Rattle cans will work on the larger scale better than 1/144. Just shoot light coats.

My vote is the Revell 1/72 VII C....TONS of aftermarket accessories if you want to go all out....or looks great OOB (still should open the flood holes though, IMO)

Cola

All my flood and drain holes are opened on my 1/144 along with a pressure hull. The 1/144 scale Type VII is basically a scale down version of the larger brother. I have the Type IX in 1/72 and waiting for more pe to come out before working on it. Either scale make excellent displays.

IMO the flood holes are a must to open in either scale. The effect add tons of detail.