Type XXI U Boat- the Revell kit with interior WIP

Sailor Steve

Another website I frequent featured a guy's build of the Type VII. He didn't do any interior, but he did spend a lot of money and time on etched-brass detail parts. All the grills, props, torpedo tube interiors.

I've owned that one for years, and yes you should see it. It's not quite the mini-series, though - the credits are edited out to make one five-hour-long movie. That said, I think it is far and away the best version.

Whats the URl please? 

I've got an "uncut" version my media server - would that the the "mini-series"?

Another website I frequent featured a guy's build of the Type VII. He didn't do any interior, but he did spend a lot of money and time on etched-brass detail parts. All the grills, props, torpedo tube interiors.

I always wanted to build one with complete interior, but I'll never have the time. I'm much looking forward to the progress on this one.

GMorrison

Das Boot is a great movie, I would like to see the 300 minute mini-series some time. That one is a Type 7C, probably the most common type.

I've owned that one for years, and yes you should see it. It's not quite the mini-series, though - the credits are edited out to make one five-hour-long movie. That said, I think it is far and away the best version.

GMorrison

You wouldn't be the first.

The longer deck sections were bowed from front to back. In order to straighten them out to flat, I glued some lengths of brass tube to the undersides, back from the edge, using a continuous bead of CA and clamps.

Next day, I painted the tubes interior light grey. I don't think they will even be seen, but if they are the boat has so much plumbing that it can only help.

I'll file this away for when/if I get around to building this kit, that is indeed in my closet pile of U-Boats "to do"!

You wouldn't be the first.

The longer deck sections were bowed from front to back. In order to straighten them out to flat, I glued some lengths of brass tube to the undersides, back from the edge, using a continuous bead of CA and clamps.

Next day, I painted the tubes interior light grey. I don't think they will even be seen, but if they are the boat has so much plumbing that it can only help.

GMorrison

My last post for the weekend.

The plastic decks came with a slight positive fore-aft camber (upward curve).

These kinds of things always look crappy when that happens.

So I've installed rigid brass tube stiffeners on the undersides of the longer decks.

We'll say that they are main air pipes to the ballast blowers...

Boy, Ya lost me on this one.

Thanks! I'be glad  ... sad can't  supply usefull information abt Your project ... but logicaly, such old type of submarine should be reachly documented with free public access to it? is it?

I saw some building reports of heavy cruiser of WW2/WW2 , for example, and how modellers operate very often with detailed original technical drwngs of prototipe, variousfotoes , etc.

What is situation with hystoric and technical information of your progect...at least I saw You posted many pictures... is that sufficient for detailed building?

BRGDS

Kirill

Now THAT is interesting!

Welcome to the crew, Kirill.

Oh, interesting facts! Thanks!

more I 've read here http://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.asp?ship_id=Whiskey-Project-613-Attack-Submarine

formally, after graduation my marine school in 1988, in Vladivostock...I had minor military rank automatically, allows me to occupate pozition of comander of submarine engineering department, and as I could remember now,in the classes we study this ,613 project... very fanny it sounds now,but in those time all such kind of information was under BIG secret, for us, cadets...in the begining of the lesson,we receive books and paper ,to make notes during lessons, and after completion,need to return everithing back to duty officer!!! :)))no one piece of paper was allowed to left classroom...can You imagine?...and this was just kind of reprodaction /modification of german submarine of WW2 period...that time of couse nobody tell us real history of 613 project desighn... happy that my military dutes long time ago expiered...:)))

Good luck in building Your U21! :)

ps

as I remember ,those time, in the classroom,there was big detailed model of 613project,approx 2 mtrs long, demonstrated all existing valves ,pipes,wiring,diezels,batteries,el. motors and so on... front part ,along hull, was opened for visual excess to all machinery placed inside...this high marine school still exist,but what happendcwith that model...no idea...

Thanks, and I'm glad there's interest as this is a challenge. Any info from the experts is always most welcome.

I'm no expert on U Boats, Kirill. Barely a beginner. Das Boot is a great movie, I would like to see the 300 minute mini-series some time. That one is a Type 7C, probably the most common type.

This model is a Type 21, which never was in combat although some were active at the end of the war.

I understand it's the grandfather of post-war submarine design. It might interest you that the USSR received four and built quite a few more from components captured in Danzig.

And the Soviet Whiskey Class, Project 613, was pretty much derived from this design.

Good day GMorrison,

never had attempts to build up smthg "metall"... due to this huge q-ty of small details need to be reproduced, corrected with documented source and so on...and on...but allways with interes watch how colleques can do that!... nice job! understand 0 , but I like , what I see!

Wish You to have Good progress in such difficult task!!!

some time ago I watch movie...Das Boot... may be the best one abt submarine,by my opinion, is it the same type?

No, no, no. Those ARE rum glasses. I was about to ask about them too.  lol.

Excellent work so far, by the way. 

My last post for the weekend.

The plastic decks came with a slight positive fore-aft camber (upward curve).

These kinds of things always look crappy when that happens.

So I've installed rigid brass tube stiffeners on the undersides of the longer decks.

We'll say that they are main air pipes to the ballast blowers...

Apparently a dark color:

Or, maybe light...

OK Thanks! (I mite have both to build, better check).

This version is the Type 21 with open hull, out of the box. It was also boxed with closed hull, and as the post war Wilhelm Bauer with closed hull.

My scratch building is based on adding the pressure hull to the interior, on the open port side. I'm not concerned about it on the starboard side, as a combination of longitudinal interior partions and machinery will hide that its the inside surface of the starboard hull half.

But on the port side, the decks and bulkheads are sized to fit tight against the inner side of the port hull half, and that's very incorrect. The actual space looks to be anywhere from a foot or so top and bottom, to several feet at the midline.

GMorrison

What would the color be between the pressure hull and the outer hull? Red Oxide? 

Is the Type XXI U Boat kit ready to build with open hull or are you scracth doing or?

Tanker - Builder

"Now for my U-47 , I used a darkened Model Master " Rust " On the edges of my openings . For most it depends on the hull color .

TB - How about posting some pictures of 47?

Hi " G "

 Like Capn Mac said . I do the same .Now for my U-47 , I used a darkened Model Master " Rust " On the edges of my openings . For most it depends on the hull color .On my " Cape Class " Lindberg cutter I am using The Zinc Chromate .  T.B.

Several things here. This is the main deck, stern at the rear; flipped upside down.

A width of anywhere from 1/8" at the ends to about 3/16" in the middle was cut from the port edge of the deck (left side here) to allow for the space between the pressure hull and the outside hull.

And in order to avoid a look of just plastic parts for the deck, a series of small underside beam ends have been added. I couldn't really find any pictures of these, as they are the overhead in the battery spaces, so I sort of guessed, But it would follow practice.

Wish I could remember where I got this from but I remember a discussion relating to German primer as being " tabasco " in color. Eyes on build.

No, No, No! Those are JUICE glasses! I love the work you're doing. I suppose that round thing in the first picture is a strainer basket that you use to clean your brushes with. 

~ Cobra Chris

Those are not rum glasses.....those are his paint mixing jars

Nice so far, watching with interest.

Oh sure. Its the its my daughters excuse. I have used that one myself and I dont have daughters. 

You did all that paint work already? Nice work Morrison. You sir, are a master model maker.

Btw, slow down. I don't want to see this WIP done before it begins! 

LMAO!!!

Well, no; those are my daughters, the once a week bring down from her room.

So it's hard to explain, but with an interior to install, the kit design set up bulkheads that fit tight against the hull sides. But those are not the pressure hull.

But wait! the outline of the pressure hull is ever so faintly cast as a ridge on each bulkhead.

A better model could be had by mimic-ing the opening in the outer hull with a similar pressure hull inboard, with its own opening.

Drilled around the outlines of the pressure hull, on the port side of each bulkhead.

Cut off, and it's looking good.

The sections of deck will need to be narrowed too, but I'm optimistic.

I found enough references to make me pretty sure that the internal wet space was red oxide.

Anyhow, need to sleep off the rum. Decks tomorrow!

I count five empty rum glasses and clean straight lines.  You sir, can hold your liquor.

I have no clue as to actual paint as manufactured but there are a ton of images with a Google search that might show you something.