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As promised, what follows is the first installment of a series of U-boat
kit reviews. This first review is on a 1/400 scale type IX B by Mirage.
I bought a couple U-boat kits made by Mirage because they’re
inexpensive, under $10.00, and look to be quick builds.
The Type IX B was a slightly bigger boat than the Type VII most modelers
are familiar with. The particular Type IX Mirage chose to model is the
U-511, a boat used to test the plausibility of firing rockets from
submerged U-boats. More information on that project can be found at
http://www.prinzeugen.com.
The Mirage kit consists of four sprues of gray plastic with
approximately 30 parts and includes a small stand to hold your
masterpiece once finished. A small decal sheet is also included. Detail
is good, but could be better especially where the deck is concerned. The
deck has recessed panel lines that are thick, shallow and clumsy
looking. This becomes a minor problem when weathering the model as a
wash tends to be easily wiped away. Instructions consist of a single
page with multiple panels printed on all sides with a short history of
U-511.
Assembly of the model is pretty straightforward and the instructions are
easy to follow. Construction begins with the hull and decking, then
moves onto the coning tower, control surfaces, prop shafts and props.
The rocket launcher assembly consists of two parts that look a bit
clunky. I drilled small holes where the launcher frame should be to give
it a lighter appearance. This is one area where scratch building talent
would come in handy. One disappointing aspect of the kit is the lack of
railing for the coning tower. I solved the problem by making my own from
thin pieces of wire. First I drilled holes in the coning tower then
inserted lengths of wire vertically and secured it with a little CA.
Then I bent two pieces of wire around a hobby knife and secured them,
one at a time to the previously drilled holes and the ventricle wires.
This process took about 40 minutes and the results look pretty good.
Some time after I completed this project, I discovered that Mirage makes
a photo-etch detail set for its U-boat series, as does Tom’s Model
Works. Maybe I’ll use one of these on my next project.
Painting was pretty straightforward. I used Model Master Enamels and
weathered my U-boat with artist oils after a coat of Future floor wax
was applied. A painting guide is supplied in the instructions but the
colors are way off. Here’s where research pays off. The instructions
recommend the lower hull be painted flat black. The Kreigsmairne never
used this shade in that capacity. The correct colors are a dark gray and
medium gray; pretty basic. The actual shades changed during the war but
I’ll leave it up to you to discover the details of that.
This was a fun build and I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of starting
their own U-boat collection. Mirage makes a plethora of U-boat kits from
the early Type II to the later Type VII. Construction took me about
six-hours, painting and detailing took
another four. |
Photographs of the box, sprues and instructions, finished and
painted, but un-weathered, U-511. Scratch built railing is visible in
the last, not-so-great photo.
A view of the port side of the painted and weathered model. I chose
to weather the model heavily. The kit supplied stand (unpainted) is
visible in this photo.
A view of the starboard side of the painted and weathered model.
Rigging was added to the model after this photo was taken. |
