Hobby Boss 1/350 German Navy Type 212 Attack Submarine Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Type 212 is a diesel electric attack submarine design for the German Navy. First designed in the mid-1990s, the Type 212 is one of the most advanced conventionally powered submarines in service. The Type 212 uses diesel power for surfaced operations and an advanced fuel cell system for stealthy submerged operations. Due to the unique X arrangement of its stern planes, the 212 can operate in very shallow waters. Germany produced four of these boats and Italy operates two of their own. Each service has two additional boats under construction.

Hobby Boss has produced the Type 212 in 1/350 scale and when you consider that the 1/700 scale Los Angeles class kit is longer than this kit, you quickly get an idea of just the compactness of this design.

Molded in light gray styrene, this kit is presented on one parts tree plus the upper and lower main hull halves and the display stand. One small fret of photo-etched parts are included which provide the name plate and two propeller options.

The build of this kit is quite simple with options for raised antennas and masts in two configurations or stowed masts and antennas atop the conning tower. The kit also provides the main propeller in two styles in plastic and the same two styles in photo-etch.

This kit comes with markings for four examples currently in service with the German Navy:

• S181
• S182
• S183
• S184

The decals provide the standard hull markings as well as markings specific to each of the four boats.

This is a nice looking kit of one of the world's most advanced diesel attack boats in service. The build is quick and still provides some nice detailing to make the final model worth having on display.

My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!