Italeri

1/35 S.L.C. 200 "Maiale" (Pig)

Kit Number: 05605

Reviewed by  Rick Bellanger, IPMS# 35220

MSRP: $33.00 Thanks to Italeri and MRC (www.modelrectifier.com) for the review kit. I received this kit a week before the Nationals in Anaheim and since I didn't have anything on the table at the time I decided to start it. In all it took about 4 hours to build and a couple to paint. In all one of the BEST fitting and easiest models I have built in a long time. What a pleasure it was to build something out of the box with no conversions to add and no putty or seams to fill. A little history about me and this interesting subject. Being a retired Navy Diver, I have worked with the Seal Teams in support of their "Swimmer Delivery Vehicles". This model fits right into that category, as being one of the first SDV designed for one mission, deliver a clandestine attack upon an enemy vessel and return with its crew. History According to the very handy and useful booklet provided in the kit, in 1935 the Italian Navy came up with an idea to neutralize the British presence in the Mediterranean. Two designers came up with the concept of the "Mignatta" (a kind of hand guided torpedo used during WW 1). A small group was quickly formed and developed to work on the project and required great secrecy. Prototypes were tested with encouraging results but when the Ethiopian Campaign ended in late 1935, the project was put in storage. In 1937 the growing possibility of war in Europe was getting stronger and the experiments started again. The Siluro a Lenta Corsa (Slow Running Torpedo), generally know as the "Maiala" (Pig, which will be the term I will use) was based on a standard 533mm torpedo, lengthened to 6.7 meters (single warhead) and later to 7.3 meters (dual warhead). At the bow it contained a detachable warhead (s) containing 230 Kg of Tritolital explosive and a time-activated detonator. Behind this was the maneuvering and navigation section while the after section held the propulsion system. A four speed (later five speed) 1.6 HP electric motor turned a 3 or 4 bladed propeller giving it a whopping speed of 3 knots underwater and a range of 15 miles. The divers wore a Model 49/ closed circuit oxygen rebreather. Being a rebreather they left no trail of bubbles to track, and also using electric motors no noise to track, thus making the Pig a very stealthy weapon system. The mission was quite simple but complicated by wartime and underwater conditions. The Pig's were brought in as near as possible to the target by a modified submarine or other craft. The operators than took control forcing their way through harbor obstacles until reaching the keel of the intended target. Once in position a steel cable was attached and run between the bilge keels (fin like appendages under a ship to help stabilize it). The warhead was detached and hung on the cable. The timer was set and the team got of Dodge ASAP if not sooner. The weapon system was successful and during the war for Italy (ended in 1943) three warships and twelve auxiliary ships were attacked and either sunk or damaged. The greatest achievement was the sinking of two battleships HMS Valiant and Queen Elizabeth. Since only about 50 were built this is remarkable success story for such a small team. The Model The model contains two plastic sprues, one containing the subject and the other, the two figures. A photo-etch set and a small piece of clear plastic is also included, along with a decal sheet for instruments/ navigation devices. The instruction sheet is quite adequate for the project with one exception. When placing the steering controls and cables for the dive planes, the port side cable is on top while the starboard cable goes to the bottom of the planes. The illustrated pamphlet shows this correctly but the instructions have you putting both on top. Cable is not provided so you will have to come up with some fine wire, thread, stretch sprue or monofilament line (which I used). Another area of concern would be fitting the propeller guard. This is a photo-etch piece and must be formed to fit the area around the propeller and fins. Italeri comes up with a very nice template to use but it still takes care and a little skill to get it to fit properly. Photo-etch stirrups for the crew are also provided and again refer to the photos for their correct locating. The rest of the assembly is pretty straight forward. You have the option of building a one or two warhead model. Both are interchangeable, so no cutting is required. I chose the two warhead version because of its size and uniqueness. I left the parts in sub assemblies until painting and decaling was finished. Final assembly only took a few moments to complete. A stand is provided which is a nice touch. It should be built first so it will hold the model during assembly. A nice option would have been a dolly to show how the Pig could be moved around but the stand is nice. The two crew figures are nicely done and the rebreathers are very nice. Both are fully equipped and the detail is not too bad. Their stance is a little too mannequin and stiff for me personally. One figure has his mask off and shows him holding it while the other is completely dressed and ready to go. Painting and Finishing The model was painted Model Masters Dark Green. The pamphlet shows one as being dark grey, the box art shows it as black version and the instructions show it as dark green. I saw a sample of the kit at the Italeri booth at the Nationals and theirs was painted dark green. So I guess it is your choice on what color you choose. It was then washed with dark oils and dried brushed with lighter greens and browns to bring out the details. The cables were painted using a silver Sharpee Permanent Marker pen (one of the best painting tools I ever found). The instrument panel required a couple of decals. A drop of Future was placed were each one was going to be placed. I waited and hour, then place the decal. Again I waited another hour and placed a drop of future over each decal. A clear piece of plastic goes over all this and I glued it in place with the future. The last piece to assemble was the drivers fairing that goes over all the instruments. The figures were painted satin black with details painted flat black. Faces were done in oils. They were washed with dark oils and dry brushed with varying shades of grey to bring out details. The stand was finished to look like wood and the metal plates were painted black and dry brushed with rust. Conclusion This kit has to be one of the nicest and most enjoyable I have built in a long time. The pamphlet included in the kit makes some interesting reading and the photos are very helpful. It is very impressive and the subject matter is rather unique and will make a fine addition to my collection. I would recommend it to those who have some experience in dealing with photo-etch. Well done Italeri. My thanks go to the Model Rectifier Corporation (MRC) and IPMS/ USA for providing me the opportunity to review and build this kit. Highly recommended.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.