Hello!

The Amati kit is nice. I have not seen one myself, but I have seen pics of the completed model.  I am presently working on a conversion of the 1/72 Revell kit  back to the Type B. I am doing U-47 post 1941, preparing for it's 10th and final patrol.  U-47 was not a typical Type B. Her vent slots were different on both sides. There are also some minor differences in other items on this U-Boot. I have done some major research even before I started work on the kit.  Also use this site to determine what version of U-47 you plan to do. There were many changes on U-47 during her carrer. Good Luck! Any questions let me know. I will try to help as best I can.

Regards,

 Hi Again!

Oh, I forgot!  I found the best place to take out the 8mm was just back behind the Tower .

Regards,

  Hi Scott

        Was just at your site Tigermodels and was very impressed with the quality of your castings. I'm first and foremost a builder of German armor and the castings for the Panther G Late are very crisp looking. Can't wait to see what you do for U-boat modelers

 Hi Again!

The projects we talked about sound great ! When do you project the offering of the VIIC Hull halves?

Thanks,

Hi guys,

Nice to hear from you again Scott. Since many of the most successful VIIs were Bs, I would say there is an opportunity in the market for two VIIB conversion sets for the Revell kit. In fact I’m surprised nobody has produced one yet. Firstly a conversion to depict the 1938/1939 VIIB tower (for U 47 at Scapa and U 48 early in her career). Secondly, a separate conversion to depict the 1940 onwards VIIB tower (for U 47 and U 48 later in their careers, plus U 99 and U 100). Given the amount of info on the net these days such sets would have to be very accurate. But if they were accurate I’d say they would sell well. 

The Amati kit is a challenging but enjoyable kit to build. But in terms of accuracy, the release of the Revell kit has made it pretty obsolete. I wrote an article on the inaccuracies in the Amati kit a few years back, which you are welcome to read if you wish. Knowing the level of detail that you incorporate into your models, I would suggest that modifying the Amati kit to your level of accuracy would be a total nightmare. It would be so much easier to take the Revell kit and convert it than try and alter the Amati kit.

The Amati deck doesn’t fit well onto the Revell kit. If I remember correctly, the Amati deck isn’t as accurate as the Modelbrass deck either. The Modelbrass deck is much more accurate than the disappointing Nautilus deck (which merely copied the Revell one) so I would suggest using the Modelbrass deck. Plus you get the four useful pieces for the drainage holes near the dive planes too.

If you are going for an October 1939 U 47, then your idea of fitting the Amati tower is a good one. But, although the tower looks fine in shape, it would need a LOT of work in adding the details. You’ve already realised about the Amati intake duct. That was fitted to VIIBs in about the spring of 1941, after U 47 was lost. And you’ve realised the problem of the area beneath the intake duct on the tower floor. Maybe a PE replacement? With the correct square shaped holes?

As for the drainage holes, the U-Brass set would help alter the Revell hull into a VIIB hull. Very briefly, the holes around the torpedo doors were different, and there was only one hole next to the stem (instead of the 2/3 on VIICs). On VIIBs the front pattern of holes extended farther back on VIIBs than on VIICs, leaving a main drainage slot than was shorter in length on VIIBs. And also, if you were doing U 47 in October 1939 then the diesel exhaust outlet was a circle rather than the VIIC-style oval shape. Lastly, the brass strips in the Amati set for the drainage holes aren’t accurate so they aren’t much use to you either. Very annoying!

Please keep us informed about your plans.

Cheers,

Dougie Martindale