Schnellboot S-100 - 1/35 by Italeri, Eduard, Mastercasters, CMK, AFV,

[elmarriachi]

 

 

E-boats (German “Schnellbootâ€), a British designation using the letter E for Enemy, were primarily used to patrol the Baltic Sea and the English Channel in order to intercept shipping heading for the English ports in the south and east. As such, they were up against Royal Navy and Commonwealth (particularly Royal Canadian Navy contingents leading up to D-Day)Motor Gun Boats (MGBs), Motor Torpedo Boats (MTBs), Motor Launches, frigates and destroyers. They were also transferred in small numbers to the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea by river and land transport. Some small E-boats were built as boats for carrying by auxiliary cruisers.

 

Crew members could earn an award particular to their work—Das Schnellbootkriegsabzeichen—denoted by a badge depicting an E-boat passing through a wreath. The criteria were good conduct, distinction in action, and participating in at least twelve enemy actions. It was also awarded for particularly successful missions, displays of leadership or being killed in action. It could be awarded under special circumstances, such as when another decoration was not suitable.

 

Schnellboote of the 9th flotilla were the first naval units to respond to the invasion fleet of Operation Overlord. They left Cherbourg harbour at 5 a.m. on 6 June 1944. On finding themselves confronted by the entire invasion fleet, they fired their torpedoes at maximum range and returned to Cherbourg.

 

During World War II, E-boats sank 101 merchant ships totalling 214,728 tons. In addition, they sank 12 destroyers, 11 minesweepers, eight landing ships, six MTBs, a torpedo boat, a minelayer, one submarine and a number of small merchant craft. They also damaged two cruisers, five destroyers, three landing ships, a repair ship, a naval tug and numerous merchant vessels. Sea mines laid by the E-boats were responsible for the loss of 37 merchant ships totalling 148,535 tons, a destroyer, two minesweepers and four landing ships.

 

In recognition of their service, the members of Schnellboot crews were awarded 23 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and 112 German Cross in Gold.

(Quelle: Wikipedia)

 

 

SCHNELLBOOT (E-BOAT) S-100 – a giant in scale 1/35

 

The German Schnellboot (E-Boat) S-100 is a real giant and one of the biggest plastic kits on the market. The finished kit by Italeri gets a length of 99,9cm and has a huge level of details with the included photo etched parts. Nevertheless, the level of details  could still become increased with some add-on parts and some scratch built elements… The huge sizes gives place for lot of details!

 

 

 

THE ADD-ON PARTS

 

The supplier of several additional detail kits and parts from England, company Master casters provides several interesting upgrade parts for this kit. We will use a replacement part fort he scull cap wheelhouse made of resin. It provides better details, correct nuts and further improvements compared with the kit-part. A small German dinghy made of resin and photo etched parts and some photo etched canvas railing covers for the aft railings.

The well known manufacturer of photo etched parts from Czech Rep., company Eduard provides two separate sets for the S-100. One set for the ship itself, one for the guns. Both sets are available also in one “Big-Ed†set which will be used here.

The gun barrels will be replaces with brass parts from Master, the propellers with metal ones from G-Factor which I really, really love.

A set of 4 mines will be added on the aft of the ship. There are several products on the market, most of these are expensive resin kits. In this case I use a plastic kit from AFV-Club which is very high detailed, lot of separate parts for each mine, including some photo etched parts as well. As it seems, each mine will become a kit itself.

Finally, the Czech company CMK provides the crew. There are three sets on the market, each consisting of 2 figures. One set is for the wheelhouse, one guy with binoculars. The next set consist of 2 sailors at rest, the last one includes 2 sailors who are carrying boxes with food and other stuff.

 

 

With all these upgrade parts and some furthe scratch built elements (I already have several ideas and plans for that) I will start my next bigger project as soon as the SMS Falke is finished. The S-100 will be painted with colors of Tamiya and Lifecolor in “Schnellbootwei߆(light grey) with some blue camouflage. The weathering will be made with oil colors and other stuff…. The finished ship will be presented on a wooden base with brass sockets.

 

 

I hope that this will become an interesting project for you and you won't be bored with these big ships which need lot of time always ….

 

Cheers
Michael

[dutik]

Very nice!

 

 

Tip: Lies mal den Nachsatz von Robert Schatton zu den AFV-Minen, unten auf der Seite.

 

Regards

- dutik

[LSP_K2]

Very cool. I have the Revell 1:72 scale kit, and it's pretty nice, but I've wanted this big Italeri kit since they first came out.

[Bill Cross]

Lovely kit, but it's too much for me. Glad to watch your build, though!

[scvrobeson]

Awesome Michael!  I've always looked at the S-100 and the Italian torpedo boat from Italeri, they look beautiful.  Will be following along with your build, maybe it will give me the courage to purchase one of these big boats.

 

 

 

Interesting that Italeri claims it's the largest 1:35 kit, they must have forgotten about that massive Soar Art 1:35 Dora railway gun. I think that thing clocked in at about 5.5 feet long.

 

 

 

Matt 

Edited November 12, 2015 by scvrobeson

[dpastern]

Looking forward to seeing this build!

 

Dave

[CATCplSlade]

Awesome Michael!  I've always looked at the S-100 and the Italian torpedo boat from Italeri, they look beautiful.  Will be following along with your build, maybe it will give me the courage to purchase one of these big boats.

 

 

 

Interesting that Italeri claims it's the largest 1:35 kit, they must have forgotten about that massive Soar Art 1:35 Dora railway gun. I think that thing clocked in at about 5.5 feet long.

 

 

 

Matt 

 

 

 

And Bronco's Type XXIII German coastal sub, which might be just as long.

Edited November 14, 2015 by CATCplSlade

[dutik]

4 or 5 inches shorter.

 

Regards

- dutik

[LSP_K2]

And Bronco's Type XXIII German coastal sub, which might be just as long.

 

I had two of the Alanger Type XXIII U-Boats, but unfortunately sold them both. I really wish Revell would follow on in their line of 1:72 submarines, with a Type XXI, now that would be awesome.

[dpastern]

And Bronco's Type XXIII German coastal sub, which might be just as long.

 

Just around a metre.  I have this in my stash ;-)

 

I had two of the Alanger Type XXIII U-Boats, but unfortunately sold them both. I really wish Revell would follow on in their line of 1:72 submarines, with a Type XXI, now that would be awesome.

 

Now a 1/72 type XXI would be very nice.  

 

Revell's 1/72 type IX uboat is over a metre long (around 1.06 metres by my calculation).  

 

Revell's 1/72 type VIIC/41 "Atlantic" version is not far behind at around 93 cm.  

 

Being a bit of a Uboat lover, I have the type VIIC/41 "atlantlic" on its way to me as I speak.  I'll grab the type IX later on down the track as funds allow.

 

Revell's 1/72 USS Gato is a monster though at around 131 cm (51" in the old scale).  

 

Dave

[LSP_K2]

I've got (or had, as I sold the finished type VII) both type VII's, and the Gato, but haven't as yet added the type IX, but imagine that I will, along with the biggest US, British or Russian sub I can find.

[LSP_K2]

Oh, and Michael, I have a few books on the S and E type boats, if I can be of any assistance.

[D.B. Andrus]

 I really wish Revell would follow on in their line of 1:72 submarines, with a Type XXI, now that would be awesome.

 

I agree, however, they'd have to do some major detail revisions if up-scaling their 1/144 version.

 

Cheers,

 

D.B.

[LSP_K2]

I agree, however, they'd have to do some major detail revisions if up-scaling their 1/144 version.

 

Cheers,

 

D.B.

 

I have several books on the type XXI, including the Wilhelm Bauer museum book, but never noticed anything unusual about the Revell kit. (Sorry for the detour, Michael.)

[D.B. Andrus]

Hi Kevin

 

The Revell Typ XXI is based on the U-2530 later named the "Wilhelm Bauer". There a some differences in the WB and a wartime XXI. This thread can explain much better than I:

 

http://models.rokket.biz/index.php?topic=80.msg661#msg661

 

If you are unaware of the site above I highly recommend it. Lots of outstanding information, AM parts and excellent builds.

 

Damian