Regio Sommergible Alagi

Tail Boom, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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The Royal Italian Navy submarine Alagi belonged to the so-called 600 class, a large batch of submarines whose figure indicated both the displacement (around 697 tons on surface) and the overall lenght (60.18 metres).

They were built with a hull designed by Royal Italian Navy Engineer Curio Bernardis, a Navy Officer Engineer.

600 class submarines, classified as "coastal" or "Mediterranean", were built in large number and divided into several classes. Adua class, to which Alagi belonged, was subsequently named "Africani" because all the submarines were christened with the name of a famous African war episode or place during the Italy’s Colonial Wars.

Alagi was launched on 15 November 1936 in Monfalcone in the north-east of Italy and in 1937 made a brief appearance in Spanish waters during their Civil War.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Alagi soon saw action along the North African coast, sinking an oil tanker and inflicting heavy damaging to an RAF Short Sunderland seaplane.

During mid-August 1942 at sea, Alagi attacked and sunk the steamer Clan Fergusson and severely damaged the cruiser, HMS Kenya.

Upon the September 1943 armistice, she surrended in Malta to the Allies and was used in training and transport duties until she was written off in 1947. During her career, Alagi completed 55 missions, damaged or sunk 18,470 tons of enemy vessels, lost 5 crews and was the only Adua class submarine to have survived the war.

Master modeller and author Maurizio Di Terlizzi launched his own brand of resin kits called "Tail Boom" in 2007. Initial releases were helicopter related, with a number of full-sized gunsights and control sticks following.

Tail Boom has now expanded its subject range with a 1/144 scale Italian submarine, "Alagi". In 1/44 scale, the model will be a good size for display at nearly 42 cm (16 1/2") long.

The kit comprises 53 parts cast in light grey resin plus a single fret of photo-etched metal and a small decal for the flag.

The kit comes packed in a plain brown cardboard box.

The entire hull is a very impressive single solid resin casting. This is ready to use almost straight from the box - no big casting blocks here. Surface textures are a mixture of recessed and raised, as appropriate, with wood planks depicted on the deck.

Smaller parts are cast onto blocks and strips, but experienced modellers should have no problem removing and cleaning these up.

The sail is supplied in two parts - front and rear. The wheelhouse windows are cast closed as part of the front section, but they may be opened up if desired. The wheel is included inside.

I particularly liked the resin screws, and gun detail is well done too.

The photo-etched fret is very fine. It includes rails, ladders, net cutter, wheel and more.

The simple decal for the flag may be folded back on itself to display both sides.

Instructions include full colour diagrams of the parts and of the submarine gunsight along with detailed notes and a colour guide.

Thumbnail panels:

Tail Boom's 1/144 scale Alagi submarine is a delicately detailed and flawlessly cast kit of this interesting piece of Italian naval history.

With its relatively small parts breakdown and simple assembly process it should be a straightforward build, although some care will be required when fitting the photo-etched railing. There is no doubt that when the model is finished it will be a real head-turner.

If you want one, though, you'd better be quick. This is a very limited-run model. You may contact Maurizio direct to obtain details about pricing, availability and postage.

Thanks to Maurizio Di Terlizzi for the review sample.

History courtesy of Tail Boom instructions.

Review and Images of Kit Part Copyright © 2016 by Brett Green
Images of Finished Model Copyright © 2016 by Maurizio Di Terlizzi
Page Created 6 July, 2016
Last updated 6 July, 2016

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