what's the skinny on the Lindberg 1/72 Japanese Submarines?

[aferguson]

From what i can tell there were supposed to have been 2 kits released. The I-20 with mini sub and the I-53 with Kaiten torpedoes.

Was the I-20 kit ever released? I can only find info on the I-53.

Also, i remember hearing that these kits were a big disaapointment. What was the problem(s) with them?

There is starting to be an impressive selection of 1/72 submarine kits, so i'm getting tempted to dive in (pun intended).

[tmanthegreat]

Couldn't say on the Lindbergh kits, but in terms of 1:72 submarine models, I've seen some fantastic kits of a WWII US Gato-class sub and German U-Boat in 1:72 (both made by Revell, I think). 1:72 is a really good scale for "smallish" boats like submarines. One can get a large and impressive model without it being overkill, like a battleship or aircraft carrier would be in 1:72. I've been tempted to get the aforementioned kits (particularly the Gato-class sub as I've spent a lot of time in the one in San Francisco, CA) but then the question arises as where to put a 3-4 foot long model...

Speaking of large sub models, whatever happened to that German minisub that was 1:35 scale someone posted about a while back? That would be a fun build!

[aferguson]

there are actually 2 type VII's, a Type IX now, the Gato (4 feet), the Japanese subs (5 feet) and small modern-ish attack sub by Mobius that's about 4 feet. So a pretty good selection so far. And i suspect Revell will follow up all their German subs with a Type XXI some day.

[hworth18]

I almost bought the I-53 but the kit was rather toyish (oversized and simplistic details) from the reviews and it was a disppointment to many that were looking forward to it. The Revell Gato and Uboats are the best of this scale and I highly recommend them if you can find them.

[Dauntless]

Saw both of the Revell subs at Hobby Lobby a while back. Should have snagged them with the coupons you can print on-line.

Anyone remember the Revell U-Boat someone built as a realistic wreck at the bottom of the sea in an aquarium someone posted a while back?