Modeling U-166

Model of U-166 by William Powell, based on the 1:2000 scale Nichimo kit (see below).
See more of Mr. Powell's models here.

Since this website went online, several individuals have contacted the PAST Foundation, expressing and interest in building a model of U-166. Although there are no kits of U-166 available, there are number of resources to assist modelers of all skill levels, from the beginner to the scratch-builder.

U-166 was an early Type IXC boat. Although there are a number of commercial models of Type IXCs available, most of these represent boats from 1943 or later, and are inaccurate for U-166. In particular, most of these models feature an expanded wintergarten, the platform at the aft end of the conning tower where anti-aircraft guns were mounted. U-166 was sunk before the threat of Allied airpower became as serious as it was later in the war, so that boat was fitted only with a single 20mm gun for defense against aircraft.

Early Type IXCs like U-166 were externally very similar to Type IXB U-boats. There are at least two small kits of Type IXB boats that can be used as a basis for modeling U-166:

	Academy German Navy U-boat Type IXB 1:150 Scale. Read a review of this kit on UBoat.net.
	Nichimo U-boat Type IXB 1:200 Scale. Read a review of this kit on UBoat.net.

For modelers looking for a more complex challenge, the PAST Foundation recommends an excellent reference work. Vom Original zum Modell: Uboottyp IXC by Fritz Köhl and Alex Niestlé is an outstanding reference work with interior and exterior photos (in color and black & white) and dozens of detailed line drawings. The text is in German. Vom Original zum Modell was used extensively in preparing the digital models shown on this website and on the related Deep Wrecks Project website. This book is available from Amazon.de. Do you have a model of U-166? Share it with us!

Project Donors

The U-166 Project staff extend their thanks to the generous donors who've made this effort possible:  

Thanks, y'all!