Panlos 628011 – German U-552 Type VII C (Speed Build Review)

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This extraordinarily detailed set is the largest I have built to date. Despite its size, it is surprisingly stable and affordable.

Manufacturer:	Panlos
Set-Number:	628011
Theme:	Military
Release:	2023
Parts:	6172
Figures:	17
Dimensions:
Scale:
Age:	10
Building Time ca.:	18 Hours

This set was provided to me by Afobrick (Affiliate Link).

Instructions

Construction

Of course, a big sub like this also needs a massive stand. Of course, it gets it from large bricks and golden tiles. Then it’s on to the actual boat. This is divided into segments, so that you don’t have to deal with construction sections that are too large. First up is the bow, which includes working torpedo tubes. Up to 4 torpedoes can be inserted here and fired forward. The base of each segment looks fairly identical. However, the invisible filling is always different, so that it does not become a boring, redundant construction. Each segment has its own bulkhead and theoretically you could walk through the whole boat. From the officers’ mess to the crew’s quarters to the engine room, everything is there. All the details naturally ensure long-lasting building fun.

Overall, the U-552 is surprisingly stable despite its size. Only the propellers at the rear were a bit annoying. I ended up taking it off and putting it back on at the end. Next up are all the side covers. These can all be easily removed to admire the interior. The hoses on the deck were a bit of a challenge. They are way too stiff and you have to keep bending them over and over again until they finally fit. The gun and the lookout, on the other hand, are built quickly. In the last construction step, ropes are attached and the boat is placed on its stand.

Conclusion:

It took quite a while to build this set. For around EUR 140 you get a multiple of what you are used to from the market leader. The quality is excellent, the set is very stable and it looks great on the shelf with the sides open.

This post is also available in Deutsch.