Author Topic: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)  (Read 30810 times)

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Offline dougie47

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #30 on: 07 Jun , 2009, 06:06 »
Hi Libor,

You may be intersted in the cover of the new U-Boot im Focus (edition 5) -

http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/UBootEnglish/ubootenglish.html#UiF-EditionE05

Cheers,

Dougie

Offline conus00

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #31 on: 08 Jun , 2009, 10:44 »
Thanks Dougie, I've seen that picture before. It's U-3018, great picture. I'm little surprised that there is only limited amount of pictures of Type XXI on the net considering how revolutionary the u-boat actually was.
On the workbench:
Trumpeter 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type IIb U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
Revell 1/144 Type VIID U-boat
Minicraft 1/700 USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Collecting materials:
(scratchbuild) 1/144 Type XVII-B Walther U-bo

Offline conus00

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #32 on: 23 Jul , 2009, 08:11 »
Just a quick update to let you know, that this thread is still alive. This time without pictures, though.
Everything is glued together and after tons of putty and countless hours of sanding (yeah, the two-piece deck and the rest of the hull aren't exactly perfect fit) I am painting and weathering....

Every detail is already on the boat, it is only missing the propellers. Which brings a question: The Revell's instructions call for brass color but I have read somewhere that towards the end of the war the Germans were running out of precious metals and brass and copper were getting really scarce. According to what I read the Germans started to use iron for the propellers. Can somebody confirm this?

Also, a very nice touch: I was able to find Frontreif emblem small enough to perfectly fit 1/144th scale (from one of the Flagman's 1/350th u-boats). Big thanks go to Peter Trukhin (Director of Flagman Ltd) who was kind enough to send me two decal sheets in the mail free of charge.

Thanks a lot, Peter!!!

Stay tuned for the next update (maybe the final one) this time with pictures.

-L
On the workbench:
Trumpeter 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type IIb U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
Revell 1/144 Type VIID U-boat
Minicraft 1/700 USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Collecting materials:
(scratchbuild) 1/144 Type XVII-B Walther U-bo

Offline Rokket

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #33 on: 24 Jul , 2009, 03:19 »
From memory (baaaad), I think it was 42 or 43 the KM went to steel props. An excerpt from my U 557 build: "The pre-1942-ish propellers were bronze (later steel due to material shortage). U 557 was laid down in 1940, so most likely had bronze props..." Can't recall what book/source, but I was very intent on finding answer because it was the difference between painting the plastic kit props steel and weathering with paint, or spending $30 on brass!

Nice on the free decals. The folks in this hobby (not really the right term...) are good folk.
AMP - Accurate Model Parts - http://amp.rokket.biz

Offline conus00

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #34 on: 24 Jul , 2009, 12:29 »
So do you think that I should paint the propellers silver weathered?
On the workbench:
Trumpeter 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type IIb U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
Revell 1/144 Type VIID U-boat
Minicraft 1/700 USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Collecting materials:
(scratchbuild) 1/144 Type XVII-B Walther U-bo

Offline Rokket

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #35 on: 28 Jul , 2009, 03:00 »
If she was built in 43, or launched mid-late 43, I'd say you are safe with weathered steel.
AMP - Accurate Model Parts - http://amp.rokket.biz

Offline conus00

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #36 on: 30 Jul , 2009, 21:13 »
U-2536
Ordered         6 Nov 1943   
Laid down        21 Oct 1944
Launched       16 Dec 1944   
Commissioned   6 Feb 1945
Scuttled          3 May 1945

So i guess weathered steel it is.... :D

Also another small issue with propellers: according to Revell's instructions both propellers have the same part number (20) but one is clockwise and one is counter-clockwise.
According to my sources the port propeller was clockwise and the starboard counter-clockwise....
Is that info correct?

The boat is weathered and IMO looks really good. The last three things left to do are rigging the aerial antennas (still not decided if I'm gonna go with safety railing, too) painting, weathering and installing the propellers and, of course :D, taking pictures for you guys.....

I am also really pissed off, because after I put on both Frontreif emblems (which were REALLY hard to obtain) on, for some weird reason one of them didn't stick and (to use Ron White's saying) "fell the f**k off" and got lost before I could put last clear coat on the sail.
We are talking about decal approximately 1.5 x 1.5 mm and I have spent about an hour looking for it....  >:(
Hopefully I would be able to obtain another one......
« Last Edit: 31 Jul , 2009, 00:54 by conus00 »
On the workbench:
Trumpeter 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type IIb U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
Revell 1/144 Type VIID U-boat
Minicraft 1/700 USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Collecting materials:
(scratchbuild) 1/144 Type XVII-B Walther U-bo

Offline Rokket

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #37 on: 31 Jul , 2009, 03:41 »
That decal spot could be some extreme weathering..flaking, chipping, and rust. Maybe dab some paint of the the basic decal color is, then chip and rust the rest, voila!

Props - Looking at the stern from a water skiing position, the right = right/clockwise, the left = left/anti-cw. Generally. Should be fine The counter rotation reduced torque. You may want to check prop web sites for how to tell what a prp looks like headed right, etc.
AMP - Accurate Model Parts - http://amp.rokket.biz

Offline conus00

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #38 on: 09 Aug , 2009, 03:31 »
That decal spot could be some extreme weathering..flaking, chipping, and rust. Maybe dab some paint of the the basic decal color is, then chip and rust the rest, voila!

Props - Looking at the stern from a water skiing position, the right = right/clockwise, the left = left/anti-cw. Generally. Should be fine The counter rotation reduced torque. You may want to check prop web sites for how to tell what a prp looks like headed right, etc.

Good idea replacing the decal but I have managed to get a hold of another friendly Russian modeler who is willing to help me and send me an decal replacement.
Also, the props, according to this picture the the port propeller was clockwise and the starboard counter-clockwise so that is how I glued them on.


Model is pretty much finished, just waiting for the decal, last clearcoat and a sunny day outside so I can snap some pictures without flash.
Just to give you a lil' teaser, here is a couple of pictures but I really don't like how the flash is making the 'rust' looking too sharp and outlined.
It is much more subtle and realistic looking on the model itself...




There are two last things to take care of:
Find some bevelled pine board (approx 4x16 inches), stain it mahagony and find somebody to engrave a polished brass plate with the description.
So far I have failed on both counts....
Does anyone (living in the US) have a source for those? I would really appreciate your help!
« Last Edit: 09 Aug , 2009, 03:36 by conus00 »
On the workbench:
Trumpeter 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type IIb U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
Revell 1/144 Type VIID U-boat
Minicraft 1/700 USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Collecting materials:
(scratchbuild) 1/144 Type XVII-B Walther U-bo

Offline Rokket

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #39 on: 09 Aug , 2009, 05:56 »
In the US and Australia, it's a matter of going to a shopping mall - there are kiosk/booths for key copies and key chains and engraving. they make brass plaques pretty cheap. For my U 557 model I stuck a nameplate onto the etching for the UBrass project, which was cheating, but you should be able to have a nameplate made for about the equivalent of US$25 max (I'm guessing). If you have no luck, I'll see what I can source here for you. Boat is looking fiiiine!
AMP - Accurate Model Parts - http://amp.rokket.biz

Offline conus00

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #40 on: 17 Aug , 2009, 11:39 »
Thanks for the praise!
I am still waiting for the decal and still looking for wooden base.
I have been playing arund with the brass plaque. I am pretty much decided on the text, but would like to include an engraving of Reichsadler too (it's the exact copy  of stamp used on silverware and clocks).

What do you guys think, which one looks better?
« Last Edit: 18 Aug , 2009, 01:04 by conus00 »
On the workbench:
Trumpeter 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type IIb U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
Revell 1/144 Type VIID U-boat
Minicraft 1/700 USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Collecting materials:
(scratchbuild) 1/144 Type XVII-B Walther U-bo

Offline Siara

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #41 on: 18 Aug , 2009, 01:24 »
Bottom one looks much better. Not that i have anything against the nazi symbols on models- the bottom plaque its much more informative, without being overcrowded with unnecessary detail.

Mr.Mox

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #42 on: 18 Aug , 2009, 02:09 »
I Agree with Siara - much better balance without the H

bracco_n

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #43 on: 22 Dec , 2010, 16:50 »
did you ever managed to get some shots out in the sunlight?

Offline conus00

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Re: [WIP] Revell's 1/144 Type XXI (my way)
« Reply #44 on: 23 Dec , 2010, 15:05 »
Not yet, but I will take them together with my Type XXIII when I finish it.
On the workbench:
Trumpeter 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type IIb U-boat
ICM 1/144 Type XXIII U-boat
Revell 1/144 Type VIID U-boat
Minicraft 1/700 USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Collecting materials:
(scratchbuild) 1/144 Type XVII-B Walther U-bo