The Seehund German seal, also known as Type XXVII, was a successful series of German midget submarines created during World War II. Designed in 1944, and operated by two man crews, the submarines were used by the Kriegsmarine during the closing months of the war, sinking 9 merchant vessels and damaging an additional 3, with 35 losses mostly attributed to bad weather.
- Highly detailed plastic pieces molded in gray.
- Hull in two halves showing welded seams.
- Detailed propeller and helm.
- Periscope.
- Two lateral torpedo tubes.
- Display stand.
- Waterslide decals.
- Illustrated instructions
- ICM7
- MSRP: Â $27.95 USD
Here’s what could be a nice relief build after a long high-parts count model build, a weekend warriors build or a model of a different subject that you don’t usually build. The later gives you the change of practicing different weathering techniques especially if your model kits portfolio is mostly aircraft subjects. This is the Type XXVII 1/72 Midget Submarine from ICM Models. This is pretty much a 1 sprue model kit molded in light gray styrene. The instructions are for the most part self explanatory as the parts count if very low. A simple model kit yet by no means a snap-tite deal. Simple for the nature of the subject but well detailed for its scale.
There are no alignment points for the main hull, neither they are present on the 2 provided torpedoes. Despite  the absence of locating points, if you align and glue in increments, there should be no problems when the main super structure is cemented together and little sanding will be required. Judging by the provided extra parts, you can also build an early version.
Painting and Weathering:
With the subsequent weathering I had planned for this kit, I didn’t intend to break my head trying to achieve the ‘perfect’ color match. The top base coat is Tamiya XF-19 Sky Gray. A wash of AK-303 Grey Wash for Kriegsmarine ships followed by random spots of Vallejo Green Oxide 73112 pigment on 26333 Pigment Glaze.
The finishing touches was a selective wash with A. Mig 1003 Interiors Wash and A. Mig 1004 Light Rust Wash from Ammo by Mig.
This is a nice little model kit. And when I say little I mean it by the nature of this subject. You ought to see how midget is this midget sub next to the same 1/72 scale of the German U Boat from Revell. My only tiny complain about this kit is the fact that the clear ”bubble” on the hatch is not clear but provided as regular light gray styrene. Chances are that we could have a clear part that might be tweaked here and there and represent this part as it should be, clear. Other than that, I highly recommend this kit.
