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.
Any questions just ask.
Cheers,
Dougie