Trumpeter U-552 in 1/48

wow beauitful job!!! 

Here is a full size photo of the whole thing:

And a really big one:

What a stellar piece of work!! I’ve followed along from the beginning and think you’ve really done a superb job. The lighting really finished it off. You’re painting skills are top notch - every compartment looks so crisp and the colors just seem right.

Pilotjohn - FANTASTIC!!!

I was following your build from the beginning and in fact it made get the kit and build it too! Thanks for posting your in progress and finished pics! 

Very, very, very nice!!!!

Thank you everyone!  It definitely made me a better modeler.

John

John, that is really something. I mean like really something.

I completely missed this thread, but what a treat to see it start to finish. I'd never heard of this kit, and you turned it into a showstopper. Who woulda thunk of lighting up the inside of a sub model.

Good for you. As you mentioned, display this with pride. You deserve it.

Did I mention those lights?

unbelievable..  you definitly caught the "essence". now you have to dip the figures in rotten onion juice to simulate the smell after two weeks into the patrol....

Fantastic work John!   I received mine at Christmas and I'm now in the planning stages.   Your posts will be displayed on my big screen TV in my shop when I start on this beast.

What a fantastic model!  Great details, figures add so much and the lighting is very cool.  Now - where is this massive model displayed?

John, or anyone else who may know.....

What is the purpose of that barrel shaped object below the center of the control room floor?   I have looked and looked but cannot come up with a definitive answer on this one.

I started 01/18/24 on my build and have 3 modules done so far.  Working on the Rear crew quarters/mess right now.   Yes, this is a beast but it will be well worth it.

I assume it's a well for the periscope to retract into

jeffpez

I assume it's a well for the periscope to retract into 

Could be.  But then I thought, it's awfully big.    

Deleted by author - duplicate reply

Aha!

     That is what was the lower retention well for the Periscope bottom. To protect it from errant feet etc.

Okay!

       Do I need to say it? YES! That is one Beautiful piece of work!!

. Thanks

Tanker-Builder

Aha!

     That is what was the lower retention well for the Periscope bottom. To protect it from errant feet etc.

 

I had wondered what the purpose of that was.  Much appreciated

Well, a periscope is a hollow tube with some mirrors installed, the bottom of which is closed off, and a pile of telescoping tubes (like an extendible pointer or auto antenna) attached at the base.

So, you need a decent amount of hydraulic oil to get each of the sections to expand, and to contract, on demand.

The larger "sky" 'scope will have control ords and the like indie the optical part for getting precision angle measurments of stars and the like.  The skinnier "attack" 'scope might have range-finding fittings.

Thanks for the insight Capt Mac .  Makes sense now

John

I see it looks like you elected to keep the clear portion off the starboard side.  I've heard there is significant glare when installed.  My intention is to cut away viewing areas for each module with that piece installed but I hear horror stories of how brittle the clear section is.   Do you, or anywone else, have any tips on cutting this clear material?   I have the fine hobby saws and Tamyia drill.  If it's going to be a close to impossible task, I may install the whole clear piece and paint that side with viewing areas taped over.  

There's some glare but not much. My regret with mine is not lighting the interior. I've never done that and was intimidated enough not to try. As each module was completed all of the amazing detail was easy to see and I didn't anticipate how dark everything would become once installed into the hull. It still makes an impressive display but I'm the only one who has any idea of all the detail that's lurking deep in the shadows. Painting any of the clear hull will only further darken the interior. Light it up!

Thanks for the info!  I will be lighting it up inside with a minimum of 4 nano LED's per module, so I should be ok there.  LoL, like you, I'm the only one who know of the intricate details (and girly photos).  i have a vinyl cutting machine so I'll be able to create the "cut-away" masks prior to painting the starboard side.   I guess we'll find out how brittle the clear is when I hollow out the limber holes.

I'm speculating at best and have no idea if what I'm going to say is in any way accurate but the clear plastic has a very solid and stiff feel to it. Put another way, I'm guessing it's very brittle. Best of luck to you.

I received my RCSubs PE kit today.  Something that I noticed with the aft torpedo tube where it comes out thru the hull.   Am I the only one but did Trumpeter forget to put the cone piece in that forms the bulkhead fairing wall at the aft hull exit??   I see nothing in any forums on this.  Without this bulkhead, it leaves a large void and that wasn't the way it was on the Type VII.  Nothing in my instrusction booklet either.  Shaking my head on this one.

Hi Fuzznoggin!

         I am almost finished with my Type 21 -U-2540. I understand that after her short life she's on display somewhere in Germany. The Barrel shape is well represented in this model and the outside has a bundle of detail including some kind of hatch molded on it as well.(For Maintenance?) so it's there.This has been a frustrating kit sometimes ,but it is an okay looking model now.

     Now my bench is home to a 'Kangnam" "Tirpitz" and a model by Airfix of the 1/72 Severn Lifeboat from the RNLI. this last has an awesome interior.I am going to figurea way to have a removeable cabin so you can see inside her.The kit windows are Garbage for this, and too small anyway!

     Oh, I don't want to forget the "Playstation". That thing is just plain weird. It will definitely test my skills with a clothes iron. It's in the instructions even ! I don't remember the scale but the Mainmast is just slightly over eleven inches. She's the only plastic model of a catamaran SAIL ship(Boat) I have.

 Somewhere in all my plastic I have a cut-away model from Lindberg. The "Cape Class" Cutter, which a Coastie friend said is darned near 100% accurate as built. So that's the look I am going for. I have used just the hull on a lot of Yacht conversions so i have plenty of parts. The Engines come from H.O. Trainstuff I have sitting around and the Walkways in the engine spaces are those "Boxcar Roof Walk Grating" from "Tichy Train Group".

      That one was fortunate in that I was able to take my "Mattel-Vac-u-Form" and by setting up certain frames, make windows To cover the openings, which have a very light plating pattern in them. But it will keep the interior dust free. Plus the use of C.D. containers for other "Windows" this stuff is crystal clear.Not super easy to work with, But, being careful I can make windows that allow more of the boat to be shown from different angles.

       This is a dream come true. When I was about twelve I saw in a marine Business in Florida(I was living with my Dad just then) in their front window, a ship model that had clear windows showing different parts of the vessel. I never had the time and now, That I do, I am going to have one of my own choosing!

      Back to the 21. The open side is somewhat flimsy so care is in order here. It cracked up near the bow when being installed.  With "A liberal "application of "Tamiya" Liquid glue(Green topped bottle) Extra Thin, I was able to make it disappear. I haven't touched it in three days,We'll see how it goes later today and I will let you know. I have all the Limber Holes and Vents painted in flat black, because I didn't want to "Bog" in super detailing this. It's paint time.

Fuzznoggin;

   This is just a short add-on to my post. For some reason, REVELL of Germany has seen fit to make the retractable forward planes and the rear diving Planes and Rudder moveable.This too is fiddly work but they can be moved for a break in an otherwise plain looking Grey(two Shades) Submarine.

John,

Did you do the cable rigging from bow to tower and to stern?  I had ordered an aftermarket "Y-split" off Shapeways.  Way short by about 3 cms.   I would not recommend anyone order from Shapeways - ever.