1:350 Soviet navy submarine SHCH class, series X, X-bis

1:350 Soviet Shch class submarine, series X and X-bis - Mikromir

A kit of the Soviet submarine of the Shch class (Shchuka), series X and X-bis, in 1:350 scale from the Ukrainian maker Mikromir. Watch out when choosing: the class was built in several series that differ outwardly, and the manufacturer issues them as separate kits - this one captures series X and X-bis, while the older series are different boxings. Before buying, compare the finish with a photograph of the craft you want to build.

The real subject

The Shchuka, that is, the pike, was a Soviet submarine of medium displacement and one of the most numerous classes of the Soviet navy of the Second World War; series III, V, V-bis, V-bis-2, X and X-bis came about in turn and over eighty were completed altogether, of which over thirty were lost. The craft bore the main weight of the undersea war in the Baltic, the Black Sea and the Pacific alike. Series X received a streamlined superstructure called the limousine, which did not prove itself, however: water washed over the bridge while under way. Series X-bis therefore returned to a conventional superstructure and the forward gun moved onto the deck. It is precisely these two series that the kit captures.

Building and painting tips

Glue the hull and fill and sand the gaps smooth. Glue the fine elements of the superstructure, the gun and the railings on last, so that they do not break off during handling. A primer coat is mandatory with submarine gray, and the paint should be applied in thin layers. The waterline looks good on clear resin, and the whole hull on a stand.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Soviet submarines in 1:350 scale
• Modelers who distinguish the individual series of one class
• Anyone interested in the undersea war on the Eastern Front
• Builders of small display case models

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.