In Box Review of Academy 1/150th Scale
German Navy U-boat IX-B
Motorized Kit no. 1442
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
Copyright 1995
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
Copyright 1995
HISTORY:
Larger than the numerically superior type VII subs. the IX-A and IX-B types had a greater range, were faster and carried a larger crew.
They were also slower in diving and were regarded as a "wetter" boat, thus gaining the nickname "Seekuh", which translates to Sea Cow.
Nevertheless, the type IX-B subs accounted for the sinking of a greater tonnage per boat than any other type of German sub in WWII.
U-124 or Unterseeboot 124 was a German type IX-B submarine of the Kriegsmarine during WWII. U-124 was launched on 9 March 1940 with a crew of 54, under the command of Georg-Wilhelm Schulz up until September 1941, when Johann Mohr took over command.
U-124 left Wilhelmshaven on her first active patrol on 19 August 1940. Over the next two years and eight months, she would compile one of the moist successful kill records for enemy sea vessels destroyed of the entire war, sinking 48 Allied ships totalling 224,953 tonnes, severely damaging another four ships totalling 30,067 tonnes and shooting down one aircraft.
The Type IX U-boat was designed by Germany in 1935 and 1936 as a large ocean-going submarine for sustained operation far from the home support facilities.
Type IX boats were briefly used for patrols off the eastern United States, in an attempt to disrupt the stream of troops and supplies bound for Europe.
The extended range came on the cost of longer dive times and decreased maneuverability, which is why the smaller Type VII was produced in greater numbers and used for the bulk of operations. It was derived from the Type IA, and appeared in various subtypes.
The Type IX's had six torpedo tubes, four at the bow and two at the stern. They carried six reloads internally and had five external torpedo containers (three at the stern and two at the bow) which stored ten additional torpedos.
The total of 22 torpedoes allowed U-boat commanders to follow a convoy and strike night after night. As mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 66 TMB mines, but many of the IX-C boats were not fitted for mine operations.
Eight Type IX-A U-boats were built by AG Weser of Bremen.
The Type IX-B was an improved model with a increased range. It was the most successful version with each boat averaging a total of over 100,00 tonnes sunk.
Famous IX-B boats included U-123 under command of Reinhard Hardegen, which opened up the attack in U.S. waters in early 1942, known as Operation Drumbeat, and U-107 out of Freetown, Africa, under the command of Hessler, which had the most successful single mission of the war of was close to 100,000 tonnes sunk.
The Type IX-C was a further refinement of the class with a storage for an additional 43 tonnes of fuel, increasing the boat's range. This series omitted the control room periscope, leaving the boats with two lower scopes.
As mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 66 TMB mines.
Larger than the numerically superior type VII subs. the IX-A and IX-B types had a greater range, were faster and carried a larger crew.
They were also slower in diving and were regarded as a "wetter" boat, thus gaining the nickname "Seekuh", which translates to Sea Cow.
Nevertheless, the type IX-B subs accounted for the sinking of a greater tonnage per boat than any other type of German sub in WWII.
U-124 or Unterseeboot 124 was a German type IX-B submarine of the Kriegsmarine during WWII. U-124 was launched on 9 March 1940 with a crew of 54, under the command of Georg-Wilhelm Schulz up until September 1941, when Johann Mohr took over command.
U-124 left Wilhelmshaven on her first active patrol on 19 August 1940. Over the next two years and eight months, she would compile one of the moist successful kill records for enemy sea vessels destroyed of the entire war, sinking 48 Allied ships totalling 224,953 tonnes, severely damaging another four ships totalling 30,067 tonnes and shooting down one aircraft.
The Type IX U-boat was designed by Germany in 1935 and 1936 as a large ocean-going submarine for sustained operation far from the home support facilities.
Type IX boats were briefly used for patrols off the eastern United States, in an attempt to disrupt the stream of troops and supplies bound for Europe.
The extended range came on the cost of longer dive times and decreased maneuverability, which is why the smaller Type VII was produced in greater numbers and used for the bulk of operations. It was derived from the Type IA, and appeared in various subtypes.
The Type IX's had six torpedo tubes, four at the bow and two at the stern. They carried six reloads internally and had five external torpedo containers (three at the stern and two at the bow) which stored ten additional torpedos.
The total of 22 torpedoes allowed U-boat commanders to follow a convoy and strike night after night. As mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 66 TMB mines, but many of the IX-C boats were not fitted for mine operations.
Eight Type IX-A U-boats were built by AG Weser of Bremen.
The Type IX-B was an improved model with a increased range. It was the most successful version with each boat averaging a total of over 100,00 tonnes sunk.
Famous IX-B boats included U-123 under command of Reinhard Hardegen, which opened up the attack in U.S. waters in early 1942, known as Operation Drumbeat, and U-107 out of Freetown, Africa, under the command of Hessler, which had the most successful single mission of the war of was close to 100,000 tonnes sunk.
The Type IX-C was a further refinement of the class with a storage for an additional 43 tonnes of fuel, increasing the boat's range. This series omitted the control room periscope, leaving the boats with two lower scopes.
As mine-layers they could carry 44 TMA or 66 TMB mines.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: submarine
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 2 x MAN M9V40/46 supercharged 9-cylinder diesel engines, 4,400 hp (3,300 kw), 2 x SSW GU345/34 double-acting electric motors, 1,000 hp (740 kw)
Test depth: 230 m (750 ft)
Complement: 48 to 56 (55 to 63 in Type IX-D)
Armament: 6 torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern), 1 x Utof 105mm/45 deck gun with 110 rounds, 22 x 55cm (22 in) torpedoes (24 in Type IX-D)
Type: submarine
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 2 x MAN M9V40/46 supercharged 9-cylinder diesel engines, 4,400 hp (3,300 kw), 2 x SSW GU345/34 double-acting electric motors, 1,000 hp (740 kw)
Test depth: 230 m (750 ft)
Complement: 48 to 56 (55 to 63 in Type IX-D)
Armament: 6 torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern), 1 x Utof 105mm/45 deck gun with 110 rounds, 22 x 55cm (22 in) torpedoes (24 in Type IX-D)
THE KIT:
Academy is a prolific model company based in Seoul, Korea. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Type IX-B U-boat cruising along in heavy seas. It is medium-grey with a tan wood deck and red hull bottom. Three crewmen are atop the conning tower.
One corner of the box art says: Contains optional parts to build as a static display model or a motorized, diving submarine. A RE-280 motor is included. Kit requires 3 "C" cell dry batteries that are not included in the kit.
One side panel begins with a color photo of the sub made up on its display stand, followed by a repeat of what was said on the corner of the box art, copyright of the kit as 1995, kit made in Korea, kit is not suitable for children under 36 months. Kit is designed for modelers ages 10 to adult, in 6 languages including English.
Academy is a prolific model company based in Seoul, Korea. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Type IX-B U-boat cruising along in heavy seas. It is medium-grey with a tan wood deck and red hull bottom. Three crewmen are atop the conning tower.
One corner of the box art says: Contains optional parts to build as a static display model or a motorized, diving submarine. A RE-280 motor is included. Kit requires 3 "C" cell dry batteries that are not included in the kit.
One side panel begins with a color photo of the sub made up on its display stand, followed by a repeat of what was said on the corner of the box art, copyright of the kit as 1995, kit made in Korea, kit is not suitable for children under 36 months. Kit is designed for modelers ages 10 to adult, in 6 languages including English.
The other side panel has 4 color walk-around type photos of the model made up, showing a side view, the conning tower, fore-deck and stern.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains a red tree, a light-grey tree and a black tree in 2 sealed clear cello bags, motorization hardware in its own cello bag, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 7" x 12" page format.
Page one has a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history of the IX-B Type U-boat.
Page 2 has international assembly symbol explanations at the top in 7 languages, including English.
Bottom of page 2 through to top of page 7 gives a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 7 is the parts trees illustrations with a listing of the names of the motorization parts: control wire, weights, propeller, contact switch, bolts, rubber battery seal, battery contacts, RE-280 motor, drain plug, electric wire, propeller shaft, nuts, another rubber seal, rubber bands.
Below these is Academy's street address in Seoul, Korea and their FAX number. Copyright of the kit is 1995.
Page 8 is the painting and marking guide, showing a black and white photo of the model made up and a line drawing of the conning tower.
Trees are alphabetized.
Red letter A tree holds: the hull parts, rudders, propeller shaft brace etc. (14 parts)
The kit contains a red tree, a light-grey tree and a black tree in 2 sealed clear cello bags, motorization hardware in its own cello bag, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 7" x 12" page format.
Page one has a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history of the IX-B Type U-boat.
Page 2 has international assembly symbol explanations at the top in 7 languages, including English.
Bottom of page 2 through to top of page 7 gives a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 7 is the parts trees illustrations with a listing of the names of the motorization parts: control wire, weights, propeller, contact switch, bolts, rubber battery seal, battery contacts, RE-280 motor, drain plug, electric wire, propeller shaft, nuts, another rubber seal, rubber bands.
Below these is Academy's street address in Seoul, Korea and their FAX number. Copyright of the kit is 1995.
Page 8 is the painting and marking guide, showing a black and white photo of the model made up and a line drawing of the conning tower.
Trees are alphabetized.
Red letter A tree holds: the hull parts, rudders, propeller shaft brace etc. (14 parts)
Light-grey letter B tree holds: the deck parts, railings, conning tower, guns etc. (34 parts)
Black letter C holds: the display base parts, mid hull sections etc. (19 parts)
There is a loose black mid hull section (1 part)
The decal sheet contains a Kriegsmarine flag (missing the swastika on it) a logos of conning tower markings of a seated black bear on a white splotch, a red shield with a yellow castle on it, an Edelweiss flower on a white splotch.
There are no crew figures included.
There are no crew figures included.
Next is the bag with the motorization parts.
A rubber gasket is included for a watertight seal.
Finally are the nuts and bolts for assembling the model.
Detail is very nice.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.