S.L.C. 200 Maiale With Crew

Italeri, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Siluro a Lenta Corsa (Slow Moving Torpedo), nicknamed Maiale (Pig), was an Italian innovation that resulted in the sinking of 16 ships during the Second World War, including the British Battleships Valiant and Queen Elizabeth.

The SLC was a standard torpedo lengthened and modified to accommodate a two-man crew. The theory was for this improvised midget submarine to manoeuvre through nets and other harbour barriers, reaching the underside of the keel of the intended victim at which point the warhead was attached to a cable, the charge was set and the crew escaped. As unlikely as this strategy sounds, the concept was highly successful.

By coincidence this kit arrived for review at about the same time as I saw a 1958 British war movie, the Silent Enemy, that dramatized the battle against Italian mines and manned torpedoes in Gibraltar. The movie really spurred my interest. Take a look if you can get hold of it.

Italeri originally released this unlikely but very interesting subject in 2007.

Their Maiale has now been re-released with two new figures, both straddling the torpedo in full underwater breathing gear.

Italeri's 1/35 scale S.L.C. "Maiale" comprises just 39 parts in grey plastic, plus a photo etched fret and a small decal sheet. Two figures are made up from an additional nine grey plastic parts.

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Detail is nice if a little heavy in places, and moulding quality is very good.

Decals are supplied for the instrument dials and three sets of identification numbers.

A photo-etched fret supplies parts including the screw, and the delicately detailed screw guard.

A simple stand is provided to ensure that the model can be displayed upright.

The two crew figures are nicely moulded. Both are wearing their diving suits with the face mask in place. This will make them ideal for modellers who do not like painting faces!

Construction should be very straightforward.

The instructions are well laid out, and it is nice to see full colour painting guides.

Italeri's 1/35 scale S.L.C. "Maiale" is a unique, simple, well-detailed and interesting model with few enough parts to ensure a fast build. The stand and figures suggest some interesting diorama possibilities too.

Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 5 September, 2022
Last updated 6 September, 2022

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