I prefer to build submarine models in larger scales. Unfortunately with the high cost of large scale kits, building a fleet of 1/96 scale submarines requires a budget that the Department of Defense can appreciate. However, with an overall length of 30" and a price tag of less than $30.00, Trumpeter's 1/44 scale USS Seawolf offered a very attractive alternative to the considerably more expensive fiberglass kits.

The Trumpeter Seawolf kit is an outstanding kit with intricate detail not often seen on mass produced nuclear submarine models. Many other boats have required hours upon hours of scribing and scratch building before I achieved the desired effects. For this boat I added only the stern navigation light and the zincs. However, I had read on a few other web sites that the Trumpeter kits in general required a good deal of effort to eliminate the seams on the hull. I found that to be true in this case, with the hull requiring what seemed to be a disproportionate amount of putty and sanding to eliminate any evidence of assembly.

With the assembly finished I painted the boat with Testor's and Krylon paints. I chose to paint the giraffe patterned camouflage on the periscope arrays rather than using the provided decals. Since the Seawolf is a newer submarine, I decided to only lightly weather it with pastels and Testor's Dull Coat.

This Trumpeter kit proved to be a beautiful model requiring very little effort or expense, and has been a great addition to our growing display of scale submarine models.