Type 212 U-32
by Paul Helfrich

1/144 Type 212 U-32 (Revell Germany)

This is the newly released Revell Germany kit of the latest German submarine to enter service, the Type 212A U Boats. These are probably the most advanced SSK submarines ever built. They use a hydrogen fuel cell system that allows them to cruise submerged for weeks, much like an SSN, but with a power plant that is not so inherently noisy. Four of them are planned for the German navy, and three have commissioned in the past year, with the fourth launched in July. Two are also in service with the Italian navy, with two more building. A similar design has been built for the Israeli navy, but with conventional diesel-electric propulsion.

The kit is in 1/144 scale, which puts it in good company with Trumpeter's recent submarine releases in that scale, and also Revell-Germany's earlier Type 206 U Boat. It's very cleanly molded and features excellent fit throughout. The decals are first-rate and easy to work with.

This is the first model I have submitted to this site that I painted with an airbrush. Yes, there is progress in the world. I accented the finely engraved panel lines with a pencil, and weathered the model with a variety of blacks and grays.

I was a little concerned about the color at first - it's called out as a mix of 90% leather brown and 10% dark gray, but that looked nothing like the box art. But if you check out this photo of one of the actual boats, it seems to be right on the money.