Completed 1:48 Trumpeter U-Boat done as U-96

Man you have GOT to be kidding me!!! The details you've put into this beauty are most certainly first class FN. These Trumpeter 1/48 U boats really are all that especially in the hands of a skilled modeler and buddy......you've proven yourself to be just that. Good LORD man.....I'll be looking at this one for a good while. 

Thanks Joe.   Last count was 363 hours @ 4-6 hours a day, 6 days a week since 1/18/24 until 6/4/24

Thanks Mustang!!

Wow what an epic build!  So much detail to look at.  Fantastic job.

fuzznoggin

Thanks Joe.   Last count was 363 hours @ 4-6 hours a day, 6 days a week since 1/18/24 until 6/4/24

 

The effort really shows - Now how many hours have you spent just looking at it!?

I'm looking at the pictures of your utterly stunning build on my computer while my version of the kit sits on a shelf over my shoulder. They might as well be two completely different models. Yours is done to a level I not only couldn't acheive but don't even dream about. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thank you all for the kind words.  I surprised myself with this one.

Wooooooooooow!!!!!! That is an utterly outstanding piece of work!   

Stay safe.

Jim 

Beautiful example of working from "what's in the box."

Trumpy probably should have done a better job on the design of the final model, along with not just leaving major bits out.

Simple things like showing all the manned control stations might have been a good start, for my 2¢.  Or including all the guys who ought to be sleeping in the bunks (or maybe one or two, so you could duplicate them, maybe). 

I'm kind of surprised the after market has not come out with castings of tall the crates of foodstuffs that ought be in every nook and corner until the end of a patrol.  Ok, maybe, the steep sticker price on the kit means few get bought, so it's a small market, but the PE accessories exist, so, somebody is buying those.

Dunno.

Did a creditable job on this, and the lighting is just right.

Awesome job!

Thanks Capt'n Mac.  I agree that Trumpeter could have done a better job.  It's  intriguing to say the least, and pricey. The fit is impressive and leaves no room for error as it will bite you in the backside later into the build. 

I started to use the Eduard PE but was very disapponted in the lack of some very obvious parts  and the accuracy of the sizes.   To those wanting Eduard, spend the extra $$ for the RCSubs PE kit.  Not only impressive but it covered pretty much everything that begged for improvement on the kit.

I did modify 4 figures to place in their bunks.  This is in the aft crew quarters by the mess.  I think there is a photo of it and you can just make out some figures in the bunks.

Basically, this is an enlarged re-pop of the 1/72 Revell.  The starboard half of the hull is clear plastic that really needed to have the viewing areas cut out, lest you suffer with the glare inhibiting all the detail you put into a module.

The conning tower - well I think the Chinese were hitting the Tsing Tao a little too much.  The clear half of the tower is on the port side, requiring one to open a viewport on the starboard to see the attack periscope center.  And that section in itself is devoid of widgets and gizmos.

The worst part of this build is the aft section which is a clear cone type unit.  It is an absolute royal pita to fit together.  I swear the part warped over time before it was installed.   Assembling this to the hull took at least 90 minutes to accomplish...trimming, sanding, trimming and finally a half decent fit. 

The kit carries a steep price.  You either want it or you settle for a 1:72 scale.  But the sheer size and ability to do the interior adds to the adventure and desire to tackle such a project.   I'm just glad it turned out the way it did or I would have sworn off modeling forever more. 

fuzznoggin

The kit carries a steep price. You either want it or you settle for 1:72 scale. but the sheer size and ability to do the interior adds to the adventure and desire to tackle such a project. I'm just glad it turned out the way it did or I would have sworn off modeling forever more.

This seems to be a pretty constant refran from all those who have published their builds of this kit.

Getting a decent build is an accomplishment, and ought be applauded.

     That's an exquiste piece of eye candy you got there fuzzy.

           Please do keep up the good work.

            This looks as good as some of the very best in a museum.

                       "Inspiration and Improvisation"

                           That's what it's all about.

     I'd give this a try, but I just don't have the room to display it....

          or keep it dusted off.

                              And I just couldn't let it out of my sight.

               it's just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you

                                              (by way of Frankie Valli)

                                              I Jus' luv musik!

A simply amazing level of detail. Model of the Year. 

Thank you all for your kind words!  Much appreciated after all the work put into this.  "Model of the Year"...hmm.  Maybe FSM would put this in their publication? 

fuzznoggin

Thank you all for your kind words!  Much appreciated after all the work put into this.  "Model of the Year"...hmm.  Maybe FSM would put this in their publication? 

 

Yes!  Do submit to FSM.  There is information onm their website.

Stunning model;

JoeSMG

 

Any idea of how many hours you’ve got into this build?

Thank you Joe.   I logged 387 hours was at last count before I stopped logging.  Probably around 425 total (final estimate).