Type VII U-boat by HERB MILLER - Trumpeter - PLASTIC

[HERB MILLER]

well i had put out a large amount of my military retirement dollars on the trumpeter vii uboat kit A and B and have ordered the 

pe parts by the rc people. when i stumbled upon this site and yves great build log.

i had purchased a 32nd kit many years ago and had to sell it off before getting a chance to build it. 

so i am going to take the jump and build this. { gulp }

hope i can measure up to the high standards set by people who have already been here before me !!!!!!!

 

[yvesvidal]

A submarine build is always most appreciated, on this forum. Herb, we are welcoming you.

 

Yves

[HERB MILLER]

started the build. i plan to follow yves approach and start with the forward torpedo room

i have scheduled a trip to the U505 in chicago to look at it in more detail

here are some pics from my last visit there

 

[HERB MILLER]

i apologize for not posting on the progress i have made so far on this model. we are building a new home in sequim and have been remiss in posting to this forum

will try to do better in the future !!!!!!

where am i at?

i have the forward compartment coming along very nicely. the torpedoes are finished. and that was a real eye opener!!!!!! not [leased with results. 

but did not want to spend any more time on them. some thoughts. 

they are fairly accurate of the German ww2 torpedoes however the  fitting of the  2 main bodies left a lot to be desired. the seams were present and had to sand to get them somewhat presentable !!!! as they are mostly out of site, i felt i could live with them . will post pics later

 

[HERB MILLER]

 the sleeping bunks were a real challenge and had to go to the miniature doll houses people to get what i wanted. they do not have a lot of selections in 1/48 scale but persistence paid off . was able to find the checkered mattress covers as seen in the movie Das Boot. the mattresses and pillows were made by stuffing the material with cotton balls and sealing them with a special white glue that is designed for fabrics.  quite pleased with reults!!!!!!

again pics to follow

[HERB MILLER]

well here are some pics of progress

i am proud of what i have done as i have Parkinson's and my hand shakes

Doctor thinks it is great therapy

anyway here we go

 

      

 

This is the forward torpedo room. the bunks are checkered material from doll house suppliers. Iam not happy with floor coloring and will probably will try another color. i added the extra left side upper part of floor that Yvesdale did on his build.

 

 

Here is the two tubes inserted in Oto's pressure hull forward section. i cannot say enough about RC Models brass add ons. they make a mundane model into a real work of art. No way i would have ever tried this project if I had to do it with out the add ons .

thank you Oto !!!!!!!!

 

 

Two of the finished torpedo tubes. They are painted with Tamiya XF 14 as per the trumpeter painting instruction sheet. 

 

 

The finished sub-flooring with the 4 under floor torpedoes.  i  laid on a heavy oil and rust addition to the floor. Now a word about the Trumpeter torpedoes !  They were a real PIA . The units fitted poorly and i had to do a fair amount sanding to get rid of the seams. i  decided to not waste the time on these as they will be out of sight. the propellers and steering vanes were a real hassle to get aligned. i was almost tempted to use Tamiya torpedoes instead. but as the you will not be seen very easily, decided to use the trumpeter ones. Still never again. not worth time and effort imho.

So here we are. All in all i am satisfied !!!!!!!  Please feel free to comment as i am always open to constructive advice. 

More to follow

 

 

[yvesvidal]

Looking really good Herb. I see that you got the end bulkheads from Otto. Great stuff that adds a lot of realism (and logic) to the kit.

 

Yves

[Kevin]

i will be following this build with interest 

i have contacted RCSubs for details on upgrades, will then look for the kit