Mk7 C mid war - Revell 05015 and Shapeways 3D printed Conning Tower cross kit build.
1/72 1943 Mk7C U- 441/ U-FLAK 1
This will be my 9th build for this series, with the model on a simple stand with some figures on the CT for scale.
U-441 was a Mk7C with the following early mid war features
THE BACKGROUND
Above are the photos that I have of U-441 after modifications to the CT, as well as a computer rendering in 3D.
The boat was launched on the 13th Dec 1941 and sunk on 30th June 1944 in the English Channel by depth charges from a British Liberator and multiple British Frigates. There were no survivors.
During its combat career it went on 9 patrols with the CT modifications being added in early1943 and operational by May. The boat was one of 4, 7C U-Boats modified to fight it out with Allied Patrol and sub-hunting aircaft, as protective escort boats, in the Bay of Biscay (French/ spanish coast). These boats proved effective at first but then ultimately failed and were converted back in November 1943.
U-441 was renamed to U-Flak 1 after its modification and returned to U-441 in November '43 when the retro-fit was removed.
The mods for this require:
1/72 1943 Mk7C U- 441/ U-FLAK 1
This will be my 9th build for this series, with the model on a simple stand with some figures on the CT for scale.
U-441 was a Mk7C with the following early mid war features
- Early turm 4 Conning Tower (CT) converted to a special FLAK Tower boat - 1 x single 37mm, 2x quad 20mm with extra armour built around the front command section
- early 'Slotted style deck with the standard early bow.
- removed 88mm deck gun
- early deck railings that extended out to the front of the Tower, not removed when the deck gun was taken. This feature is seen on a number of U-Boats but I am not sure of the reason for leaving them. It could have been on request by the crew
THE BACKGROUND
Above are the photos that I have of U-441 after modifications to the CT, as well as a computer rendering in 3D.
The boat was launched on the 13th Dec 1941 and sunk on 30th June 1944 in the English Channel by depth charges from a British Liberator and multiple British Frigates. There were no survivors.
During its combat career it went on 9 patrols with the CT modifications being added in early1943 and operational by May. The boat was one of 4, 7C U-Boats modified to fight it out with Allied Patrol and sub-hunting aircaft, as protective escort boats, in the Bay of Biscay (French/ spanish coast). These boats proved effective at first but then ultimately failed and were converted back in November 1943.
U-441 was renamed to U-Flak 1 after its modification and returned to U-441 in November '43 when the retro-fit was removed.
The mods for this require:
- a new CT to accomodate the additional forward section with the Quad 20mm gun and the enlarged rear platform for another Quad 20mm and additional lower level for the 37mm gun.
- a mid-war slotted style deck with the modified drainage slot design to accomodate the larger tower - replaced with a aftermarket Nautilus Models [laser cut] wooden deck #72 -502
- 2 x CMK/Special Hobby quad 20mm flak kit (resin & brass).
- 1 x Shapeways [3d Printed] DKM 37mm/ L83 Deck Gun.
- 1 x Shapeways [3d Printed] Isolator & turnbuckle set.
I have used a number of 3D printed parts with this build and you will see this as a common element amongst my after-market sets. The future has arrived for model building for sure , so I may as well embrace it. These 3D parts are not cheap but they are nice and will save me some time.
The Shapeways CT is very nice but will still need a few details scavenged from the original kit, however, it has saved me having to spend time scratch-building the CT mods and grafting them onto the Revell CT. I will have to do a lot of mods over these builds [including modifying a 1/32 scale CT to a Turm 4], so I did not have the time or motivation for this particular modification, when I could try out a 3D print Mod.
The DKM 37mm is another 3D print and is very nicely detailed with very fine features. These were used on the type early 9C subs on the rear deck, so I could have used one of those but again, I wanted to try a new product for this series to make it more interesting.
The Turnbuckle and Isolator set are also from shapeways and fully represent my frustration with rigging. These are 3D Printed also and are hollow but still extremely fine in detail, certainly better than the ones in the kit. The other major advantage is that the detail is pre-rigged and the hollow tubes allow the rigging line to be threaded through the centre. 
. I have built 2 other revell 1/72 uboats and hated doing the turnbuckles on the rigging.
This was my solution - I have a set for every build that needs the rigging in place.
. I have built 2 other revell 1/72 uboats and hated doing the turnbuckles on the rigging. This was my solution - I have a set for every build that needs the rigging in place.*This build will be displayed on a stand with a repro U-Boat badge attached to the gloss black base.
More to follow once this build starts, this is a place holder.
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