Got my Squadron mail order monthly update the other day and I see they have a Type VIID Minnenleger U-boat, the ad says that it's 1/144th scale. Here's the brief description:  Full Hull, Fittings and bridge with minelayer superstructure fairing. Decals and painting guide for 6 vessels.

   Does anyone know if this is a new kit? Reissue? Or maybe a little of each? I say that because Tamiya has been known to repackage an older kit, with new parts. ie their Wirbelwind has the newer Panzer IVJ hull with the older turret and quad AA guns. So thought maybe this was the old Type VIIB with some newer parts and packaging.

 Hi Panther44,

I don't really know about this kit. I am thinking it is a new tooling because the Type VIID was a big boat! I am in the process of using the Special Navy 1/72 resin/plastic  conversion kit to make a 1/72 scale Revell kit into the Type D. I plan to do U-218 as the subject. The later version, so I am using the the Revell C/41 kit as a base because of the later wintergarten and AA guns.  Some more major reworking on this project. I found a nice site on the U-218. It was created by an actual crewmember of the Boat.

Regards, 

 I would like to post some pics. I have tried but for some unknown reason I have not been able to do so on this site yet. My Type VIID/41 is still in the planning stages. I am still getting the needed P.E. etc. to start the project.  The U-47 is ready fo me to start working on the pressure hull .

Regards,

Hi Dan

     Can you point me in the right direction?  Thanks

 Hi Panther 44!

Sorry about that! Yes, the site is www.U218.de. It is in german. I think you will enjoy all the pics!

Regards,

 Great site Dan

   Nice find Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Hi Panther!

Any differences in the VIID from the VIIC ? To answer your question in one word . "ALOT!" The VII D had a different deck configuration,  ei. placement of things. The hull was longer, the conning tower was different.  The Type VII D/41 which I beleive only two Ds were reconfigured was a cross between the type VIID and the Type VII C/41. Look over the pictures of the later U-218 to see what I mean. The extended wintergarten is over two of the mine shaft openings. A snorkel was installed. The air tunneling is simmilar to the type IX but on the opposite side of the tower. The 88mm  deck cannon has be removed.  Alot of changes and work to be done on this conversion. I started working on the tower and mine shaft conversion on the U-218. Major work must be done to connect the extended tower of a type VIIC/41 to the mine shaft resin tower.  Will let you know how things progress on this on. Iam waiting for parts to arrive for the pressure hull on my U-47 late project.

Regards,

  Thanks Dan

             You should put your wealth of U-boat knowledge into a book. I'm serious, either a serious scholary study or with the Revell U-boat so popular maybe a how to book on submarine modeling and conversion. Kalmbach publishing has books on the P-40, ME109, why not one on U-boats.

I'ld by a copy, signed by the author of course.