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Which of 4 PE sets for Revell's U-boat?

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  • Member since
    June 2004
Which of 4 PE sets for Revell's U-boat?
Posted by knoxb on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 12:07 PM
Hello,
By my count, there are at least 4 different PE sets for Revell's 1/72 U-boat. White Ensign, Eduard, ModelBrass, and now Yankee Model Works.
I would like to know which one is best DISREGARDING the decking.
I say disregard the decking because I already have the Nautilus wook decking.
I'm really looking for opinions on the PE details other than the decking.
Thanks.
K.
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: South Bend
Posted by thomcmdchief on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 1:23 PM
knoxb
I've got 3 of the 4 you mention, and 1 you didn't (Warhammer). I didn't purchase the WE fret because having the other 4, there wasn't much I didn't have. Personally, I do think you need more than just one. For instance, the inspection hatches and air balast vents on the saddle tanks only appear on Jason's Modlebrass fret. Detail for the top of the UZO, and sky periscope shears are on the Yankee Model Works fret. And by far the most detailed, IMHO, fret is Eduard.

The Warhammer set includes such detail as arming props for the torpedos, the heads of which are molded into the forward torpedo room replacement bulkhead, the attackscope guard which mounts on the shear, the conning instrument panel with compass and engineroom repeater, solid metal lookout steps for the walls of the conning tower, etc.

You mention that you're not considering the decking, but if you take a close look at the Nautilus deck, which I am also using, you'll find detail such as the anti skid plates, access hatch hinges, and other details are scribed, but not really raised. Eduard's fret has over 60 small hinges for the access hatches alone. Also, the small access hatches which are molded in the upper and lower conning tower are provided as separate units. Backing plates for the conning tower handrailings are included in both Eduards and YMW.

As for the Warhammer set, the main reason I picked it up was for the replacement conning towers, the conning tower detail including shears, UZO, aiming binoculars, two compasses, and two resin periscopes. The PE parts come with the resin set.

K, it might be a good option to get additional opinions, but I don't regret picking up sets that I did, and used numerous parts from each.


Thom
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 7:02 PM
My 2 cents [2c]I have all the kits mentioned (except Warhammer). Eduard and YM duplicate most items from one anotherDisapprove [V]. Eduard is made of steel and does have some finer detail. YM adds an 88mm gun tampion (muzzle cover) and 2-part metal individual replacement insulators for the antenna wire. I prefer the detail on the Eduard set.

WEM is certainly worth getting for the additional accessories: several early and late radar antennas and housings, the "Biscay Cross" and other radar detector, scope "stiffener," doors for the torpedo tubes (fore and aft), and details not in other kits.

Warhammer offers you the option of using resin parts for some items that Modelbrass and WEM require some laborious trimming of original kit parts and gluing of tiny PE replacements to duplicate.

A lot of the choice depends on your own taste, what kind of material you prefer to work with, how much detail you really want and whether you plan to use radar or other accessories to depict a particular U-boat. Sigh [sigh]I suppose...if you wait long enough..there'll be 5-10 new aftermarket kits (besides the CMK interiors).Evil [}:)] Regrettably, most will duplicate (for better or worse) numerous parts provided by the others.Dead [xx(]

Researching several sites and submissions to this forum and to u-boat.net will reveal more info, pics, and instructions from each of the kits so you can make your own comparison. Big Smile [:D]Good luck!

"Should we prosper it shall be as is our custom...by Miracle!"Captain [4:-)]
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