AMP - Accurate Model Parts
SEA => SUBS: Uboats => TYPE II => Topic started by: dougie47 on 07 Jun , 2008, 15:10
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Hello all,
I thought I
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twenty years ago I might have been able to read some of the post on that site but as the years have gone by I lost the skills to read the german language. It looks like a very interesting kit. After I finish the Revell Gato I'll have to try some of the U-boots. I love the big scales.
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well, I'm german and I post at modellboard from time to time.
Particular questions regarding that thread I may answer, if You like.....................
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Hello folks,
It is about time for a detailed progress update on our forthcoming set for the 72nd scale Special Navy (SN) Type IIA kit.
The photo-etch (PE) will be in two different thicknesses. One normal one and a thin sheet for the small detail parts. There are three main areas
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Mister Doug,
Any way we could look at some pics? I was able to talk my wifey into letting me increase my fleet of 1/72 scale ships(only have the gato right now...lol) and the next boat will be a german sub. As you all know I have little skill at waiting and the new news has got my attention.
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Hi Wildspear,
Only a few shots for you. The image below shows the tricolour flags and two wedges -
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/tricolour_wedges.jpg)
The first wedge is for the middle of the hull. It helps the modeller keep the hull together nice and snug. There is a lip on either end of the resin wedge to make it fit nicely onto the SN kit edges. Apologies for including my thumb in the image as I wasn't wanting to glue the wedge in place.
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/middle_wedge.jpg)
The second wedge comes at the rear of the hull. The two images below show where it will fit on the hull -
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/rear_wedge_2.jpg)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/rear_wedge.jpg)
The SN deck is too narrow at the stern so this resin wedge helps to widen it out to its true size. The hole on the resin part goes over the SN pin. We have included this wedge to make sure that everything fits nicely, particularly with the metal deck section at the stern.
We'll post other images in due course.
Cheers,
Dougie
PS Always good to have an understanding missus :)
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I know your still working on the product but we would need to run some bracing to support the PE deck correct? I'm dreading this part of the build for my gato.
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Hi Wildspear,
We're hoping that you might not need bracing. On the edge of the deck we intend having tabs that can be bent 90 degrees. This should hold the deck in place at the right height, and help support the deck too. But we'll have to wait until the testing stage to see if this will be successful. Fingers crossed it works!
Cheers,
Dougie
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Hi Dougie, how is the upgrade set progressing? I plan to buy this for AMP when it is available.
Ernest
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Me too, me too........
and some other folks in germany!
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Hi guys,
Thanks for asking about the set. It is about time for an update. The design of the PE is very nearly completed now. We hope to get the film made in the next few days. Then we will be ready to get test sheets done. At that stage we'll have to keep our fingers crossed. If there are any problems, we'd have to alter the design and get another test sheet produced. But hopefully the test sheets will be okay.
When we studied the tower, we found quite a few areas that could do with PE parts. This in turn meant more time spent in research and design. It also brought the part count of the set up considerably.
Assuming I've counted properly, there will be 312 parts in the set (143 parts in thin PE and 169 parts in thicker PE). This is more that we'd envisaged when we started researching. But when one studies the subject, we find many things which can improve the original kit.
Our hope is that a modeller with the AMP set will be able to build the Special Navy Type IIA kit to a very high degree of accuracy. We can buy a range of aftermarket kits for the Revell Type VIIC. Hopefully the modeller will only need one aftermarket set (the AMP one) to make the Type IIA kit very accurate. To try to achieve this goal takes a lot of effort and time, hence why the set has taken longer than planned.
The decals have been printed and tested. We're very pleased with the results. U-numbers 2, 4 and 5 will be available. The small white numbers on the red lifebelt are included. Also included are the six sets of waterline draft markings (similar to the VII draft markings). The photo below shows the decal sheet on the left. On the right are some of the decals upon a piece of plastic.
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/type_II_decals_fox.jpg)
Any questions just ask.
Cheers,
Dougie
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You are really teasing me Dougie. ;)
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Hi Siara,
The Type IIA is like a little brother of the Type VIIC. They both have a similar aesthetic appeal that other boats (to my eyes) don't quite have. When your U 552 rolls off the slipway and starts patrolling the North Atlantic, you'll need something else to build...
Cheers,
Dougie
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Hi Dougie, thank you for the update. As I stated above, I am going to buy the AMP aftermarket set.
If it is not ready by the time I begin my Type IIA build, well I guess I'll just have to buy another one to use the AMP aftermarket set on! ;)
Ernest
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Hello Dougie,
I am very interested in this decal set for my early U-45 build. The shape and size of the conning tower numbers appear to be correct for an early VIIB. What do you think? Is there any possibility of adding some other details to this decal set for the early VIIB boats? Things like the inscription for the life belts, emergency buoy markers and numbers for the plaque on the bow sides would be of great value. Even if this can't be done, the conning tower numbers would really help me.
Thanks and regards,
Bill
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Hello all,
Another update. We now have our test sheets in our hands. Our PE company changed the size of the sheet, which necessitated a few changes. Although it delayed us, it has been a blessing in disguise. We now have extra space for a few more details. For example, there will now be a brass nameplate in every set.
There were two important factors concerning the test sheets. Firstly, would the anti-slip bumps work? These replicate the bumps that were on the surface of the metal sections and metal hatches of all U-boat decks. Modellers may recall the circles on the two metal deck sections on Eduard
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Hi Bill,
The big numbers on the Type II decals would be fine for your U 45 as I believe the numbers were the same size on VIIBs and IIAs.
Also on our decals are the little numbers (U and 1 to 6) that were on the IIA lifebelts. The pre-war U 45 had these little numbers on the lifebelt. But U 45 (as it was a VIIB rather than IIA) also had the flotilla name as well, which isn't on our decal sheet.
Our production run has been printed so there is no possibilty of altering it now. Limited run decal sheets are expensive - there won't be much if any profit on the decals in our set. We are doing them in the hope they will increase the potential of our complete set. Given their expense we were not planning to sell the Type IIA decals as a stand alone product. Firstly, we couldn't charge the same price as our Type VII decal sets and secondly we would probably run out of decals. If you are interested send Wink or myself a PM, and then Wink and I will discuss it.
Cheers,
Dougie
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Thats one hot piece of etch, dammit - might have to do another II A :D
Cheers/Jan
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Hi Dougie, thanks for the update. The PE is beautiful! You and Wink have inadvertently caused me to have to work on a future project for my wife. Because that is what I am going to have to do when I buy a second type II and your upgrade set! ;D
Ernest
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My next sub will be a U-boat for sure, seeing all these great builds.....I just gotta get a few for myself.
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The II A is such a nice little sub, especially compared to the Gato - you can fit in 3 II A
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i dig th das modellboard . my german is alright . so its interesting to check out das forum .good info there too. ;D
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Hi guys,
We finally received the test sheets for the Type II set. Having checked them over, we are content that we are ready to go ahead with the full production run. I'll be contacting our PE company tomorrow to give them the green light to go ahead. Here are a few photos of the final PE frets.
1 - Main deck. You may notice there are several more tabs on the new deck than on the photos of our first deck. Since the tabs worked so well during our testing phase, we decided it would be prudent to add a few more. These tabs should be folded 90 degrees to allow the deck to sit firmly on the hull.
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/7201_thick_deck.jpg)
2 - Thick sheet. We made a couple of modifications from the first test sheet.
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/02_7201_thick_main.jpg)
3
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We'll I hope it's soon. I'm baseing the purchase of a kit on your PE ;). I want this set, do you have a price in mind? Also tell Rokket I'll shoot him a picture of my torpedo doors by next week. Sorry for the delay darn work getting in the way.
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Hi Wildspear,
We do have a price in mind but haven't finalised it as yet. We'll announce the price when we go public with the webpage on the set.
We are thinking of including a downloadable pdf of the instructions and a downloadable pdf of the main plan. Of course both the main plan and instructions will be included as paper copies in the set. But the downloadable pdfs might help people understand the full scope of the set before purchasing.
Cheers,
Dougie
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Sounds good to me. I vote yes on the downloadable PDF's.
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That looks just sweet!
I
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Looks FABULOUS Dougie. The PE deck and opened slats make for a mucch more real effect! The fit looks great. Keep em comin'! - Harvey
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That is one tasty looking PE set. :o
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Congratulations mates!
You have done beautiful work.
That's what I have dreamed for my U-2!
Timo
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for your comments, gentlemen. We're getting there (finally!) with this set. We have now received a test print of the plan and the instructions. Both are good so the run is being printed this week. I'll pick up the instruction booklet tomorrow and the plan at the end of the week.
Here are a few photos of the 28 page instruction booklet. The size is A4. The image below shows the title page. On the right are two of the four colour A4 sheets that will accompany the instructions. Some of the PE parts on our set are very small. To help the modeller see exactly what the part looks like, and its purpose, we have included a drawing of each part in out set (larger in size than the real parts).
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/16_7201_ins1.jpg)
These pages cover the fitting of the deck -
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/17_7201_ins2.jpg)
Some tower details, and the tower hatch -
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/18_7201_ins3.jpg)
The attachment points for the aft jumping wires -
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/dougie47/19_7201_ins4.jpg)
I'll post a photo of the plan in a week or so.
Cheers,
Dougie
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I am *so* buying this set... :D
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DOUGGGGGGG!!
What is this going to set us back? Cost?
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An amazingly low-low price...just $59.95. 328 parts! 28 pg instructions! Flags! Decals!
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60 Bucks! That is a great price. You can count on an order from me. I don't have the kit yet but that never stoped me from getting stuff.
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Yes, wild, I think of it as simply planning and preparation. When CDs came out, I bought CDs before I had a player...
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When CDs came out, I bought CDs before I had a player...
:D
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The AMP upgrade set for the SN Type II is...
available for sale now: http://amp.rokket.biz/am_type2set.shtml (http://amp.rokket.biz/am_type2set.shtml)
Price is US $59.95 + POSTAGE ($5 or $8 depending on location) - click "BUY and then head on over to "ORDER" to click appropriate postage.
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Yippee!!! ;D
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Oh yesh!!!
Postman brought my set!
This is a masterpiece!
I love these shiny brass sheets!
Thanks for quick delivery!
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Glad you like, and glad you got quick. Dougie has put his heart into this, and I think it shows. As we liek to say at AMP, "it's about the model" - which hopefully implies a lot.
We hope it's a fun build and would love to see pix.
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Received my Type IIA upgrade set in the post this afternoon and I am extremely pleased. It is a beautiful thing. Congratulations to AMP for their excellent work, the attention to detail and commitment to accuracy are immediately evident. There are no disappointments here and no excuse to compromise on an accurate Type IIA. Superb product at a very reasonable price!
Mr. Bill
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Thanks for your kind words. Do kep us posted on your build, love to see it! (U 45 is already beautiful!)
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I want to buy it!!!!
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yes siara ' very tasty looking set indeed . nice little boot the type 2.good work wink and dougie .you guys are on target with your products . : :)
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Thanks muchly. We hope to keep making good stuff.
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I just finished using some of the decals from the AMP Type II upgrade set on my U-45 build and they are superb! I cut out the numbers "4" and "5" together as one piece and placed them for a few seconds in distilled water. They were very easy to apply and the carrier film is absolutely invisible. I also had to cut through the tail on the number "5" on one side of the conning tower to conform to the inset of the navigation light - no difficulties encountered. I airbrushed clear gloss future before and after application of the decals with no problems at all - I did not have to use any decal setting solution or solvent - the decals went down extremely well and look like paint when dry and sealed.
I am very pleased with the decals - congratulations AMP!
Cheers,
Bill
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Thank you very much Bill! We were worried because they are more fragile than the usual, but we couldn't handle a 5,000 unit run!
I used Future on my last decal job (wow, the VIIC a couple years ago! I better get building stuff!). I only coated future where the decals were going, applied, coated again, and then coated with dullcoat just feathering over the edges. It worked great and meant I didn't have to cover the entire model with two needless coats (future and dulcoat). It's not the recommendaed way, but I like it!
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Hi Guys,
Just placed an order for this set and very much looking forward to it arriving. I am new to the forum and progressing slowly on the SN 72nd Type II U-Boat.
I am primarily an aero model builder but having the 72nd scale Revell VII C & also the VII C/41 in long term storage I recently bought the SN 72nd Type II U-Boat because I thought this would be a good place to start.
This seems to be a great forum for all maritime things so I will enjoy hanging around here.
All the best to everyone for the New Year.
Dave.
UK
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Welcome aboard Dave, and thanks. Post your progress pix, would love to see. And your aero stuff too! (We do have some aero categories too)
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Many thanks. I had to order the PE set through my son Chris who has a Paypal account. Makes a nice change for me to use his money :)
As soon as I get time I'll post some progress pics.
By the way, this sure is a great forum.
Thanks again for the warm welcome.
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Hi All,
I considered the Typ II but the reviews are not very impressive. Especially about the parts fit together.
And here in Australia my local shop wants 120,- Aussy Dollar (84Euro) for the Typ II plus 50 for the PE set is just an overkill.
Now I started with the Typ VII instead.
A kind of frustrating if I see al the cool models here on the forum. ;)
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Hi Swanseadive,
The VII is a beauty so you should enjoy! Keep us posted.
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I want to buy it!!!!
Finally, after three years and six months I have purchased the Detail Set for SN Type II Uboat 1:72.
Today I received the package at home. I am very happy.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/Vilthomsen/p0204.gif)
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Glad to hear it!