Customer Reviews

1/144 YSS SSN-21 Sea Wolf Sub

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I'm on a model submarine kick. I started out trying to put together a WWII-era American submarine, and threw up my hands in frustration. Too many hand rails, lines, fittings, tiny deck guns... In 1/144 scale it can be nuts. I searched for something else in 1/144 and came across this Seawolf model. The real submarine is probably the best attack sub in the world to date, created with a cold war budget and so expensive that only three out of a planned 29 were ever built.

The model is too cool. Putting the hull together can be a little tricky since it is made in two halves. You've got to line up the ends and then get the halves to line up and get the little pins to go into tiny holes on the opposite side. It would be a lot easier if there were a few internal frames to hold it together while gluing it up, but oh well. Once the central cylinder is together you glue together the end cones and put those on, locating those with slots and pins as well. The conning tower goes together quickly but doesn't sit flush, so you do have to trim here and there. And of course the antenna masts and periscopes have very narrow bases, so make sure they're perfectly upright before the glue dries. Mine are kind of.... angled.

It's a solid sub. It fell off my desk and hit the floor without breaking, but the periscopes and the bow planes are definitely potential weak points. Everything else is very sturdy.

All in all it's a great kit to put together. I think it took me maybe two hours from start to painting. It looks nice on a desk or on a shelf, and it's a great way to teach yourself patience. Now that I know the kit's strong and weak points, I'm tempted to buy another and really knock one out of the park.

The model is great, however, there are a couple of things that are not quite accurate. One is the color scheme, and the second is the propulsor, or pump jet assembly. Other than that, the scale is perfect and all other items are authentic.