Pieters Italeri 1/35 Schnelboot
 
Over the years a wide variety of models have come along from the plastic kit manufacturers.  I remember the 1/72 scale E-Boat coming out from Airfix originally, many years ago now.  That was a big piece and caused something of a stir at the time.  At the time I didn't imagine we would see one come along in 1/35, yet a year or so ago, that is exactly what appeared from Italeri, a 1/35 Schnelboot.  Italeri even so a set of 1/35 crew figures to go with it.  Then if you want to go further, Cammets do a set of etched brass side rails and other details, a replacement piece for the armoured bridge and even sets of mines or depth charges to mount on the rear launch rails.
 
Something you will need if you want to have a go at one of these is the space to keep it, and equally some space to photograph it!  As it is oneof our first features on a boat, here is the end result of member Pieter Reynders build of the Italeri Schnelboot, and the bits of detail it involves.  For those who missed Pieter's thread on the build, a link is included to it below.  As the title of his thread suggests, you need something to 'float your boat'.
 
The other thing to consider is that there is still an e-boat here in the UK.  It was one of two kept here at the end of WW2, and they were used by the UK Government for clandestine operations during the Cold War, putting agents ashore around the Baltic if I remember correctly when I read about them.  One ended up on the rocks off the English coast and had spares salvaged only, while the other got new engines and soldiered on.  It later passed into private hands where some restoration was started, before it was sold on, I believe into the Kevin Wheatcroft collection where it sits today. 
 
My thanks to Pieter for sending through the pictures you see here, and congratulations on completing this mamoth build.