Next 1:72 Sub...

Well guys, here it is March 3rd...

So far German boats (both WWI and WWII) have the lead.

WWI:U-139 "U-cruiser" with 2 votes

WWII:Type IXC with 4 votes. TypeXXI with 2 votes.

Kitbuilder,you're on the list!

RooWalker,check out www.nautilusmodels.com. This guy makes some sweet GATO conversions in both 1/144 and 1/72 scale.I believe he's currently got a pre-war GATOconversion in the works.

To everyone else out there I say...SPEAK UP! Your opinion matters!And when it comes to the model companies,if they get several HUNDRED modelers all wanting the same thing it's very likely they'll listen and act on it.

USS George Washington!

Soviet Alpha class.

Nice clean lines, well known, good references available.

RAN Collins class, not too big. 

Alright!!!It's a start!                                                                                               

I propose the following categories (With The subs mentioned so far)...

WWI-WWII:

American:Nautilus/Argonaut,USN "S"-Class

German:U-139 "U-Cruiser",Type UB III

British:"K"-Class,"S"-Class,"T"-Class

Other:Australian "O"-Class,French "Surcouf"

WWII:

American:Would GATO conversions be OK?

German:Type IXC,TypeXXI

British:"V"-Class

Japanese:I-400(!),I-200 StS-Class

Other:

COLD WAR-NOW:

American:Nautilus,George Washington

German:

British:

Japanese:

Other:Russian Typhoon-Class(!), Russian Alpha-Class,Russian Foxtrot-Class,Australian Collins-Class

(!):I'd like to see where you're gonna park that beast!

OK!It's a start.Let me know if I've forgotten anything.Keep the ideas coming...

I'll be up-dating this list as we go.

Interior detail...?You're a braver man than I!

Guys,we all seem to have a pretty good idea what we would like to see in the way of

1/72 subs.They're all great ideas,based on some great(and even some "unique")designs.

In my opinion,the main problem is that we're talking it to death!We need to develop a consensus of what we would like to see made,and narrow the list to 4 or 5 do-able (and reasonably affordable)designs.

I recommend that we form a collective "think tank",and by working together,have our list prepared by no later than the end of March.We can then launch a collective assault on the various model companies using "snail mail" and e-mail barrages.No model company is going to invest the time,effort, and resources in developing large scale subs if they don't think they'll get a reasonable return on their investment.

If we really start bugging the out of them in early April and continue our inquiries on a regular basis over an extended period of time,I think they will realize that we're serious and we may see results (possibly) by the Fall of '09.

Those are my thoughts...Now I'd like to hear yours.

I'm with "Searat" and "U-boater", big boats, bug guns. My choices would be:

French Surcouf, 361' long and twin 8" guns (60+" in 1:72]

US Nautilus (SS-167) , 371' long, two 6" guns (fore and aft) [61+" in 1:72]

US Argonaut (SS-166), 381' long, two 6" guns (fore and aft) [ 63.5" in 1:72]

Big is good, add big guns, and it gets better.

Add interior detail, and I'll know I've died and gone to heaven.

Mike K

A Royal Australian Navy 'O' Boat-HMAS Ottway, for example. Or a RN 'S' Boat.

Airfix is to release a Type xxiii later this year, I believe. Interested to see how it compares with what's already out there. 

searat12 wrote:

Yup!  What a remarkable series of different designs!  Submarine minelayers, coastal boats in different sizes, submarine cruisers, and even submarine merchantmen!  And when you figure that the UBIII class was the prototype for the Type VII in WW2, and the U-cruisers were the prototype for not only the big WW2 Japanese subs, but the Gato class as well, it seems to me only justice to crank out a couple!  I mean, it is hard to realise, but way back in 1917, the U-Cruisers not only displaced 2,000 tons (A Type VII in WW2 only displaced around 600 tons) and had six torpedo tubes, but also TWO 150mm deck guns, PLUS two 88mm as well, and on top of that could travel 25,000 miles without refueling!!!  A serious adversary in times of very limited airpower...... Besides, I like all the radio masts, extra rudders and other features of these boats, as they make for a more interesting model as well...

I agree with SEARAT!WWI subs were the original mass produced "stealth ships" and

the pre-cursors of all the great subs that came after.

Apparently SEARAT likes 'em big and heavily armed...and so do I!

AJB93 wrote:

I'd like to see a USN S-class boat, along with some early pre-Gato types, like Cachalot and Cuttlefish.

ROBERTS/COMBAT MODELS produces a 1/72 vacu-form S-class with optional pre-war and

WWII conning towers.These kits are not for the faint of heart as they are virtually devoid

of any external detail and will require a lot of research,scratch building,and raiding after-

market detailing sets.ROBERTS/COMBAT MODELS does however supply rudimentary resin details,but they are workable.I currently am working on the U-35 (WWI) and the S-class (both by COMBAT MODELS),feel free to PM me for details on the builds if you like.

Info on the TYPE II (B) was stated in the HOBBY SHOP (U-BOOTE)  section at      

www.modelsbymickster.com. No release date,and no photo currently available,but

the site has accurately shown the future releases of other companies(such as a variety

of new weapon sets for you GATO modelers made by White Ensign),so I would assume

their report is accurate.

As far as the proposed conversion set to LINDBERG'S midget-sub carrying behemoth...

NAUTILUS MODELS stated that they plan to do a B-1 class conversion(I-19 ring any bells?)

I'll try to keep up on any further developments.Just remember,nothing is carved in stone

until the kits/conversions are officially released

Would love to see a British T Class boat:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_T_class_submarine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqeHxHTEIc 

http://www.mikekemble.com/ww2/britsublist.html

Although kinda big.

Perhaps a V boat?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_V_class_submarine

HMS Venturer would make a fine subject!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Venturer_%28P68%29

Matt 

u-boater wrote:

Take heart gentlemen! CMK has announced plans to do a 1/72 TYPE II in both water-line and full hull versions!

 Where did you see this?

samreichart wrote:

squeakie wrote:  EPinniger wrote: If it has to be another U-boat, I'd definitely like to see a Type II (There's already a Type XXIII - from Special Navy; Alanger are also planning to release one of these). Apart from being a fairly numerically significant type, it's a lot smaller than the VII and IX which would make both the size of the finished model and (hopefully) the cost of the kit more appealing to those put off by the size and/or price of the larger 1/72 subs. I'd really like to see a British sub - after all there are German, US and Japanese ones already - but this might not have as much mass-market appeal as a U-boat. the kit of the type XXIII from Special Navy is hot on my list. They had it for $68 at Hobby Town near me, and wish I'd have bought it. Hobby Lobby carrys the Gato, and I plan on using one of their 40% cupons for it (lists for $99). I got my WE 37mm flak gun yesterday in the mail, and will see me needing at least three more of them in the future. WE is a company of real quality.     You are right about the complete lack of a British Sub in 1/72. We could use one! The Japanese subs will be a nice addition, and they're made several versions that are somewhat unique. I'd like to see a resin kit to build the one that housed the airplane. gary I was extremely disappointed in this kit.  The dive surfaces on the sprue were different sized from their twin on the other side of the hull; it was like they had two people make the masters and they never spoke to each other, or even compared their final product.  There are parts in the model that are resin that seem to be resin just so they could say it was a "multimedia" kit;  the hull halves are twisted and have no alignment keys at all.  For the money they charged, I really expected better.  I love the XXIII (and the Type II, which they are supposed to produce as well), but I'm going to be very careful on that Type II based on the XXIII.

Just wanted to chuck in the thought that the Japanese built a number of different sub types that carried airplanes!  I-400 was 'merely' the biggest to do so.  Actually, the Japanese submarine fleet was remarkably diverse, with dozens of different designs.....  As for the German type II's, while a 1/72nd scale might be really good, if you just can't wait (or can't afford!) one of the 1/72nd's, there are several that are produced in 1/400 scale.... In the meantime, keep voting for WW1 subs! 

Take heart gentlemen!

CMK has announced plans to do a 1/72 TYPE II in both water-line and

full hull versions!

Furthermore,the owner of NAUTILUS MODELS has informed me of plans to

do not only a wood deck,but the sea-plane carrying conversion (in resin) to

the aforementioned Japanese sub.

squeakie wrote:

EPinniger wrote: If it has to be another U-boat, I'd definitely like to see a Type II (There's already a Type XXIII - from Special Navy; Alanger are also planning to release one of these). Apart from being a fairly numerically significant type, it's a lot smaller than the VII and IX which would make both the size of the finished model and (hopefully) the cost of the kit more appealing to those put off by the size and/or price of the larger 1/72 subs. I'd really like to see a British sub - after all there are German, US and Japanese ones already - but this might not have as much mass-market appeal as a U-boat. the kit of the type XXIII from Special Navy is hot on my list. They had it for $68 at Hobby Town near me, and wish I'd have bought it. Hobby Lobby carrys the Gato, and I plan on using one of their 40% cupons for it (lists for $99). I got my WE 37mm flak gun yesterday in the mail, and will see me needing at least three more of them in the future. WE is a company of real quality.     You are right about the complete lack of a British Sub in 1/72. We could use one! The Japanese subs will be a nice addition, and they're made several versions that are somewhat unique. I'd like to see a resin kit to build the one that housed the airplane. gary

I was extremely disappointed in this kit.  The dive surfaces on the sprue were different sized from their twin on the other side of the hull; it was like they had two people make the masters and they never spoke to each other, or even compared their final product.  There are parts in the model that are resin that seem to be resin just so they could say it was a "multimedia" kit;  the hull halves are twisted and have no alignment keys at all. 

For the money they charged, I really expected better.  I love the XXIII (and the Type II, which they are supposed to produce as well), but I'm going to be very careful on that Type II based on the XXIII. 

   WWW.NAUTILUSMODELS.COM

Highly detailed laser cut wood decks and details for 1/72 subs.

Would be nice if Combat models had a website or some pics to see what it's about.

On another note, does anyone know who makes the wood deck for the revel V-IIC ?

 I have a photo etch one but I am using it to convert one of the revel kits to a V-IIB, I have one of the 1:72 resin Amati kits, and instead of messing about with that I am taking all the parts and using the revel hull.

 But I am making another V-IIC as a complete cut away front to back with a mix of the Czech masters and scratch building what's not available using schematics from a book I bought. and I thought that I would rather use the wood decking rather than photo etch for this one.

EPinniger wrote:

If it has to be another U-boat, I'd definitely like to see a Type II (There's already a Type XXIII - from Special Navy; Alanger are also planning to release one of these). Apart from being a fairly numerically significant type, it's a lot smaller than the VII and IX which would make both the size of the finished model and (hopefully) the cost of the kit more appealing to those put off by the size and/or price of the larger 1/72 subs. I'd really like to see a British sub - after all there are German, US and Japanese ones already - but this might not have as much mass-market appeal as a U-boat.

the kit of the type XXIII from Special Navy is hot on my list. They had it for $68 at Hobby Town near me, and wish I'd have bought it. Hobby Lobby carrys the Gato, and I plan on using one of their 40% cupons for it (lists for $99). I got my WE 37mm flak gun yesterday in the mail, and will see me needing at least three more of them in the future. WE is a company of real quality.

    You are right about the complete lack of a British Sub in 1/72. We could use one! The Japanese subs will be a nice addition, and they're made several versions that are somewhat unique. I'd like to see a resin kit to build the one that housed the airplane.

gary

Roberts/Combat Models                                                                                               

18 E.Clay St.

West Hazelton,PA 18201-3824

(570) 450-5647

They carry a variety of vacu-form subs including the Type XXI,Type IX U-boats.The "Old S-type" (US WWI sub),and many others.

                                                 Good luck and good hunting!

                                                            U-boater

Can you give me COMBAT MODELS web site? I have googled them but to no avail.

 I have been looking for WWI sub kits for quite a while.

THanks 

Greetings!

COMBAT MODELS produces two 1/72 vacu-form kits of WWI U-boats.They are

the U-9,and the U-35.From what I've been able to gather,they're pretty much

devoid of detail leaving it up to the builder to scratch-build,and raid after-market

detail sets.

I guess I'll find out.In late Dec. or early Jan. I'll be tackling the U-35,and my wife

will be working on their 1/72 "Old S-class" sub.I've spoken to the owner of ROBERTS/

COMBAT MODELS and he stated that he includes resin details with his kits.

Hopefully,photos of the finished products will appear in a future issue of FSM.

Until then...

                                               Good luck and good hunting!

                                                            U-boater

Squadron has two different Lindberg subs listed in their new stuff.  One has a kaiten, and the other one of the Ha-II(?) mini subs.  Has any one seen any reviews of the Lindberg kits?

Henry