U-40 German Unterseeboot Type IXA--1/400 Mirage

I started this about 2 years ago before I moved. I finally have the time
to add it to my "to do" list. No I have an aircraft, automobile and a ship
here on the WIP forum. No more for now, 3s a charm. I had the hull put
together, the conning tower built and the photo etch on the deck. It is
the Mirage 1/400 U-40 type IXA with the photo etched parts I bought
separately, also made by Mirage. I have done minimal photo etch in my
long modeling career but I thought I would give it a go before my eyes
get to old to do this. I am using an opti visor and lots of super glue. I
am still trying to figure out why the Germans put the horshoe on upside
down, I was taught that if you did that the "luck ran out", suppose to be
with the points up. Oh well here is where I am at, hull and conning tower
on and photo etch winter garten, ladders, and horse shoes on. I also
have the periscopes and loop antenna on.---John

Whoa! I like this. That was interesting about the horseshoe. I'll be watching this one.

this looks good, i did a mirage hobby kit a while back and was quite impressed by it

Looks great so far, John. I'll be watching this one closely. When I was very young, the captured U-505 (type IXC) was dry docked a few blocks from our house where it was prepared for display in Chicago. Walked through that one a few times. Very interesting.

Thanks, here is a better picture of the upside down horshoe.---John

I have been educated to the fact that these are life preservers NOT horse shoes!
Silly me....ooooops!---John

Now those details look incredibly small... I had laser on my mince pies and I will still struggle to see everything at that scale

Best of luck with the build John

It is small, 7 1/2 inches long by 3/4 inch wide. I just finished the props and
rudder. Will post more pictures soon.---John

The props, rudders and stand are all glued up. I didn't want to
add the stand but now with 11 tiny parts underneath I have no
choice. Now on to the business part of it, guns.---John

I just finished with the guns, net cutter, anchor, and some small deck details. Next
is the railings, front dive planes then I can paint and finally rig.---John

The P.E. parts bring it from "O.K." to WOW! I'm glad more companies offer fotoetch for their kits as do aftermarket makers. I wonder how the magni-visors compare to lighted magnifying lenses on either stands or adjustable arms?? I suppose it a matter of power, size and cost. Thanx for an interesting model. I, too, have seen the U-505 in Chicago (it's still there, drydocked at the Museum Of Science and Industry).

It's looking great, John.

Building is done, all parts on. Now to paint, then I can rig and add
little details to rigging.---John

That didn't take long. Lookin' good.

Still a bit to do, not done by a long shot. I painted the entire boat light gray, the upper hull and
sail color as a primer. When it dries up good I can paint the darker gray on the hull below the
drain holes, deck and camo splotches on the upper hull and sail.---John

Nice work John.

Very good indeed

Painted, in fotos it looks less detailed. I bet up close it still is great. Thanx for scoping out the kit!

I have more painting done, deck and lower hull done. Next is the splotchy
camouflage on the upper hull and sail.---John

Camouflage all done. All that's left is to do the rigging
and a couple decals.---John

Looks great John

I am not familiar with this genre of modeling at all, but I thought the camo would be more extensive. Now that I look at it, it all makes sense. Sometimes Less is More.

Check out the USN WWII "Dazzle Schemes" THEN you will "get it" LOL---John

Really nice work John. If you can, try some of the AK Interactive washes on this. You will be surprised how much it can enhance the detail.