Wednesday, November 29

Preview update: Neverland Hobby's new 144th scale Kriegsmarine U-Boat U-96 "Das U-Boot" test kit build...

Today we see the built up test shot of Neverland Hobby's new VIIC U-Boat U-96 in 1/144th scale. The kit comes pre-painted & is a snap together kit. See it completed & lightly weathered in our preview...

Preview update: Neverland Hobby's new 144th scale Kriegsmarine U-Boat U-96 "Das U-Boot" test kit build...

Kriegsmarine U-Boat U-96 "Das U-Boot"
from Neverland Hobby.
1/144th scale
Length:468mm width: 47mm
Snap kit, pre-coloured
Price: $56.20 USD from Hobbylink Japan
The Subject: VIIC U-boat U-96 - the real "Das Boot"
German submarine U-96 served in the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) during World War II as a Type VIIC U-boat. On September 16, 1939, Germaniawerft of Kiel laid down the keel, with marking yard number 601. On September 14, 1940, Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock assumed command of the vessel at her inauguration. The first to relieve Lehmann-Willenbrock was Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel in March 1942. Oblt.z.S. Wilhelm Peters relieved Hellriegel in March 1943. In February 1944, Oblt.z.S. Horst Willner took command, turning the boat over to Oblt.z.S. Robert Rix in June of that year. Rix commanded the boat until 15 February 1945.
During 1941, war correspondent Lothar-Günther Buchheim joined U-96 for a single patrol. His orders were to photograph and describe the U-boat in action for propaganda purposes. Over 5,000 photographs, mostly taken by Buchheim, survived the war. From his experiences, he wrote a short story, "Die Eichenlaubfahrt" ("The Oak-Leaves Patrol") and a 1973 novel which was to become an international best-seller, Das Boot, followed in 1976 by U-Boot-Krieg ("U-Boat War"), a nonfiction chronicle of the voyage. In 1981 Wolfgang Petersen brought the novel to the big screen with the critically acclaimed, Das Boot.

The new-tool kit from a new company - Neverland Hobby...
The fist kit from a new company, Neverland Hobby kicks off with an all new tooling of an 1/144th scale Kriegsmarine U-Boat. The famous U-96 of "Das U-Boot" fame.
CAD drawings of the kit:
The type VII U-boat will be present in a refreshing new way by Neverland Hobby. The 144th scale brings a large but manageable size. Different from the common scale, the length of nearly 50cm will not only bring a stronger visual impact, but also have vivid details beyond the small scale.
This is a snap kit, no glue and no painting needed, strong structure. Enjoy the fun of assembling models without complicated preparation.
All new Kriegsmarine U-boat U-96"Das U-boot "snap kit over 460mm finished, with fine details.
No glue is needed, and if that is your taste, no painting is required (but most of us will).
The priorities of the makers is for an enjoyable, easy build. With fun features like a torpedo launching effect.
The kit also includes precisely represented mechanical detail of propulsion system. Moveable main gun and flak gun.
The Built up test kit:
We have just received photos of the built up test shot of this kit. Take note, this is still at the test shot phase, and more refinements and details are to come.
This test shot is of course pre-coloured. This example has been only slightly weathered to give it a more realistic look that modellers appreciate.
Details will be enhanced and improved before final release, so this is the base so far.

You can see more about this new company on the Neverland Hobby Webpage and their Facebook page...