Hallo U-modelers,
a Japanese company, Hidy, is now developing a perfect type VII C RC model and it will soon come onto the market. The model is 1/32 scale(2.1m long), so it is same as the 32nd Paralell\'s. This model is, however, far better than the 32nd\'s: more accurate, more parts, more functions, less expensive for the quality.
One basic model costs 300,000yen or about 2,400 US dollars(expensive?) and options 640 dollars. The option includes: devices for up and down of the periscopes, torpedos(G7e) and its firing system(tube 1 to 5), and depth limiter. Even the basic model has remarkable features such as already assembled -hand rails for the \"Winter Garten\" and the deck, -propellers and its supporters, -rudder guards, actually working navigation lights on the bridge(port and starbord), a very accurate 88mm/LC35 and 20mm/LC30(both metal made), emergency buoy in case of being trapped under the water, and more and more.....
I am one of the modelers who are very disappointed in the 32nd\'s VII model, which missed some important parts, but I am sure that everybody is satisfied with this model. I visited the company recently and saw the prototype. As far as I saw, the model can be called a \"museum model\" like the Tamiya\'s products.
See the following HP for more info: [homepage1.nifty.com]

Happy modeling,
Hitoshi