U-215 :: Type VIID Minelayer

[GlennCauley]

I have started my first U-boat build in 1/144 scale!       
www.gc-scalemodels.ca/U215/

U-215 was a Type VIID minelayer that was lost on her first patrol.  She was finally located at a depth of 270ft (82 m) about 130 miles (209 km) SSW of Shelburne, Nova Scotia. She was the first U-boat wreck discovered in Canadian waters: http://www.richiekohler.com/project-files/discovery-of-the-u-215/

[GlennCauley]

After examining the fineness of the molded details, along with the much smaller dimensions of the 1/144 boat... I have decided that I will NOT be doing any "oil canning" on the hull.  I feel it will  prove to be extremely difficult to do it well and not wreck the details.   I do plan, however, to lightly texture the lower parts of the hull (not the upper casing), and sand down most of the hull weld lines that are molded much too prominently and perfectly.

[TristanR]

Good luck with it glenn!  Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

[Capt Kremin]

Hi Glenn,


Is that both the Eduard and the Griffon PE sets in the photos?
You could add Schatton Modellbau's Revell Type VII-D-submarine mines and Shafts and his periscope set, although you already have the griffon set, not forgetting AMP very own waterline decals, if you haven't already.


Regards
Jon

[GlennCauley]

Hi Jon,

Yes, I have the Eduard + Griffon sets.   I swear that Griffon does not build models with their PE... it is soooooo hard to work with (so tiny, etc.).
I have contacted Robert Schatton to order his resin mines, but he has not yet responded.
Thanks for the mention of the AMP waterline decals!   I had not thought of that. 

Cheers,
Glenn

[GlennCauley]

The interweb paid off with more information about U-215.    Wikipedia had some information, and I was able to find the boat emblem (a rat). 
Question:   would there be 2 emblems (1 on each side of the upper tower), or 1 emblem front center on the upper tower?

[dougie47]

Hi Glenn,

Yeah, that interweb thing has its uses now and again!

I've checked Hoegel's emblem book for you but it does not have any info on position or whether there was one or two added to the tower. It is impossible to know without a photo.

I see there is one rat emblem included on the decal sheet in the Revell kit (see number 17).

Cheers,

Dougie

[GlennCauley]

(Irony:   the rat did go down with the ship)   

[GlennCauley]

I started a new mini blog site for my U215 build on my main domain:   www.gc-scalemodels.ca/U215/

[GlennCauley]

Things are going along swimmingly  (*snicker*) on the VIID build.   I worked on the port hull (opening holes) and made the other saddletank extension.
Now I am awaiting the arrival of my PE set so I can graft the lower flood templates to the hull.
www.gc-scalemodels.ca/U215/

[SG]

Great work so far Glenn. I foresee another amazing model. Keep up the excellent work

[GlennCauley]

Thanks!    I am stalled at the moment, awaiting detail sets to continue this build.   Now if only someone would send me a replacement decal sheet (which I lost).

[GlennCauley]

<SIGH> 
 So much for my promise to myself that I would NOT spend time texturing the hull of this boat. But in my defense, it will look MUCH better when I am finished.
 Texturing was done with an abrasion wheel set, No.10 curved blade, and a rough sanding stick. I also sanded down the overly-prominent weld beads and rivets.

[GlennCauley]

Arrived by post............

er-mah-gerd........ PHOTOETCH ! ! !


Thank you, falo 

[GlennCauley]

Over the past few days, I have made good progress on the VIID.

• Textured the pressure hull areas on the outer hull, using abrasive wheel and liquid cement stippling
• Added 62 ribs in main flood channel (atop saddletank) on port hull