ESCORT Issue 87 March 2010
SCHNELLBOOT ACCESSORIES
Starting with the 1/72 scale kits, there are two very different sets of etched metal available from White Ensign Models in the U.K. and Eduard in the Czech Republic. The smaller sheet from WEM contains parts for the 20mm and 3.7cm guns and a number of components for the bridge area, e.g. clearview screen and binnacle. The larger sheet is taken up primarily with the side railings, which are supplied both with and without dodgers. There are additional parts for the 20mm and 3.7cm guns and the bridge area, and also propellers for the torpedoes and parts for the launching arrangements. There are a total of 50 different parts but in some cases there are more than one copy of a part, four torpedo propellers for instance.
The sheets from Eduard contain even more parts for the bridge area. There are also parts for the two gun mountings, including replacement screens for the parts contained in the kits, and many fixings at various locations around the deck. There is also a small acetate sheet which includes windows and various dials.
The material used by WEM is brass but that in the Eduard set is silver in finish and stiffer, although not thicker. Instructions for the WEM etched brass are provided on five A4 sheets, the first two containing layouts of the two sheets identifying the various parts. This is followed by 10 assembly diagrams and some written instructions. The instructions for the Eduard set are contained on six A4 sheets containing a number of assembly diagrams. These are a little more difficult to follow, but nothing a bit of thought cannot deal with successfully.
Two detail sets are available from the Chinese company Griffon Model, a different set for each of the Revell kits. Both sets include a pair of metal torpedoes, brass barrels for the guns, an acetate sheet, a pair of resin vents, numerous sheets of etched brass, some lengths of plastic rod and some lengths of copper wire. With all these parts to fit, a detailed study of the instructions and the parts supplied, together with the basic kit, is essential in order to determine the precise location of each part and the best time to fit it – particularly if you are also using one of the other sheets of etched brass from another manufacturer. Many of the parts are duplicated between the different manufacturers but only WEM supply the side railings.
The instructions for the accessories to the base Revell kit are split into four parts. The first part, numbered N72001/N72002, includes seven sheets of etched brass and occupies five A4 sides. This part contains all the general details around the craft – deck, bridge, etc. The second part of the instructions, numbered
BPN72001/BPN72002, occupies just a single side of A4 and includes three sheets of etched brass – representing the various gun platforms of wood strip and the hatches contained in them. The third part, GMA N003, deals with the gun mountings and contains two sheets of etched brass, occupying three sides of A4. As well as details for the gunshields, replacement gunshields are included. The fourth part, GMA N006, deals with the torpedoes and also includes two sheets of etched brass (identical this time) and occupies just a single side of A4.
The second set for the Revell ‘S-100 & Flak 38’ is very similar, the difference being, not surprisingly, in the details provided for the guns. The relevant part of the instructions is identified as GMA N004 which, similarly, includes two sheets of etched brass (one of which is common
with the sheet in the other set) plus the additional barrels required for the enhanced ‘flak’ armament, the parts supplied for the twin 20mm mounting being the same. The instructions occupy just two sides of A4. Each sheet of etched brass is identified with the number of the relevant part of the instructions. The sheets are also identified by a letter etched in one corner and each component is identified by a number, etched close to the relevant part. These letters and numbers are used in the instruction diagrams to identify the required component.
A set of decals is available from the Argentinean firm of Condor. This is just a small, black and white sheet which contains the ‘panther’ of the 4th S-Boote flotilla – a much more accurate representation than the one included in the kit. There are also two transom symbols for individual craft and two for specific commanders. Finally, there are some swastikas to fill the gaps left on the naval ensigns provided in the kit. A suitable naval ensign, complete with swastika, printed on waterproof cotton is available from BECC. The ensign is printed double-sided and should be sealed with glue before cutting. WEM also offer ‘mini-kits’ in etched brass and resin of the twin 20mm Flak Zwiling and the single 3.7cm Flak SKC 30 gun mountings.
Three sets of resin figures, each including three figures, are available from Czechmaster (above) - S-Boat Bridge Crew (Ref: CMF72158), Crew for 3.7cm AA Gun (Ref: CMF72159) and S-Boat Deck Crew (Ref: CMF72160). White metal figures, again three sets each of three figures, are also available from the German company of Hecker-Goros (below) – Bridge Crew (KSHG205) and two sets of Gun Crew figures (KSHG207 and KSHG208).
Various companies have also, in the past, offered components, such as white metal propellers from Classic Warship and brass barrels from Steve Nuttall, but these, unfortunately, are no longer available.
Moving on to the larger 1/35 kit, the UK firm of Cammett Ltd (perhaps more usually associated with radio control models) offer two replacement parts and two additions. The first replacement part is the armoured bridge, a direct replacement for the part contained in the kit. At first sight, the only obvious difference is the deck strips either side of the bridge (these are supplied as separate parts in the kit) but closer inspection shows changes to the rows of rivets. The bridges actually had armoured steel at the front, where welding was employed, and aluminium sides, where riveting was employed. The kit part shows rivets all over, and even some of those in the area of aluminium are shown in the wrong place. The Cammett replacement part portrays the area accurately but this may be a minor detail that does not concern all modellers.
The other replacement part is the screen for the 3.7cm gun, this one including sides. Both versions are correct for the guns and the modeller needs photographs of the actual vessel he is modelling to ascertain which shield he should be using. Both parts are moulded in a rather brittle resin with much ‘flash’ which needs careful removal before employing the part on a model.
The additional parts are a set of 6 depth charges and 4 mines. The depth charges are arranged in two racks of three and the kit includes a rigging set by which the depth charges are attached to the rails. The instructions contain precise details of the exact location of the depth charges on the quarterdeck of the Schnellboot.
Both the mines and their relevant sinkers include a large amount of excess resin which needs to be sawn off. The smaller details, including the horns, are supplied separately together with some etched brass. The mines are intended to fit the rails supplied in the Italeri kit. A set of mines can also be obtained from the German company, Schatton-Modellbau.
Italeri offer a crew set comprising ten figures moulded in a brown plastic on a single sprue. Six figures are moulded in standing positions with a single seated figure. The torso, including the head, is moulded as a single piece with the legs, the arms being separate. One of the standing figures is a radio operator and hence has a soft cap but the others are all provided with separate tin helmets. The seated figure has a peaked cap. One of the arms includes binoculars and the other some rounds of ammunition. The other three figures are moulded with separate legs, in addition to the arms and tin helmet.
The instructions show the suggested location for each figure and include painting instructions, a colour picture appearing on the box. The parts are all cleanly moulded and will add a sense of scale to any model.