1/35 DKM U-Boot XXIII U-2321 Conning Tower Periscope Set (4pcs)

1/35 DKM U-Boot XXIII U-2321 Conning Tower Periscope Set (4pcs): 235mm Large-Format Submarine Optics & Shear Mast Fidelity

Bring an exceptional layer of technical density, structural authority, and naval optical realism to the sail housing, bridge coamings, and mast channels of your large-format German submarine models with the masterfully engineered 1/35 Scale DKM U-Boot XXIII U-2321 Conning Tower Periscope Set (4pcs). Developed as part of the advanced late-war Elektroboot program, the coastal Type XXIII submarine relied on high-precision optical search and attack periscopes engineered by Zeiss to acquire targets while maintaining minimal radar and visual signatures. Sized to an authoritative overall length of 235 mm per extended mast assembly, this dedicated 4-piece optics suite captures the full mast column—from the specialized tapered head fairings down through the heavy tubular shear shafts and alignment collar sleeves—reproducing original Deutsche Werft shipyard construction plans and Kriegsmarine technical manuals with flawless fidelity.

Engineering Precision and Type XXIII Periscope Mast Architecture

At 1/35 scale, vertical mast assemblies and optical heads become dominant vertical centerpieces, where out-of-round plastic tubes, fragile joints, soft prism windows, and prominent mold seam lines instantly degrade an ambitious submarine build. This replica 4-piece periscope set delivers seamless, dead-straight structural geometry with surgical clarity. Engineered to span a substantial 235 mm in total length, each mast retains absolute axial symmetry, eliminating the multi-piece gluing, crooked joints, and sanding steps typical of injection-molded plastic kit parts.

• Museum-Quality Optical Replication: Developed using original technical layouts, historical Kriegsmarine Werft equipment specifications, and Zeiss optical system archives to accurately reproduce the exact physical dimensions, stepped barrel tapers, prism collar housings, and guide grooves of operational Type XXIII periscopes.
• Prototypical 1/35 Scale Scope: Specifically engineered for large-format 1/35 scale Type XXIII submarine models (such as Bronco or custom RC builds), scratch-built sail cutaways, and museum-grade maritime diorama centerpieces.
• Substantial 235 mm Overall Length: Features a continuous, true-to-scale 235 mm vertical shaft length per primary unit, ensuring proper depth through the conning tower sail down to the pressure hull trunnions.
• Matched 4-Piece Mast Suite: Packaged as a dedicated 4-piece set comprising the attack periscope (Angriffssehrohr), navigation/air search periscope (Standsehrohr / Luftzielsehrohr), and specialized collar support sleeves to accurately outfit the complete optical station.
• Exposed Hardware & Mechanical Detail: Authentically captures the miniature optical glass prism bezels, anti-vibration tapering along the upper shaft, bronze guide keys, alignment collars, packing gland rings, and lower hydraulic piston mounting points.
• True-to-Scale Volumetric Depth: Replicates the clean physical presence of precision-turned stainless steel and bronze alloy shafts, casting realistic deep shadows along the guide slots and around the stepped optical heads.
• Streamlined Sail Integration: Engineered with precision-molded base guide pins and uniform outer shaft diameters designed to slide cleanly, smoothly, and securely into 1/35 scale sail guide channels without binding or requiring aggressive filing.
• Intelligent Structural Engineering: Expertly designed with optimized wall thicknesses and an internal core structure that maximizes rigidity, ensuring dead-straight, sag-free periscope tubes that resist drooping, bending, or thermal warping over time across their full 235 mm length.

Choose Your Professional Material

To ensure your Type XXIII build meets your exact display or functional operational requirements, this 4-piece periscope set is available in two specialized material formulations:

• High Detail Resin Grey (Standard): The premier formula for static presentation, museum displays, and fine-scale technical finishing. Delivers surgical multi-dimensional precision and an ultra-smooth, non-porous surface finish, capturing the finest mechanical facets—from micro-fine prism frames to raised guide collar rings—with absolute sharpness and zero layer line distraction.
• PA12 White | SLS Nylon (Optional for RC Submarines): The definitive choice for functional dynamic-diving or static-diving RC model submarines. Industrial-grade selective laser sintered (SLS) nylon provides exceptional tensile strength, impact resistance, and continuous elastic recovery. This durable material effortlessly withstands dynamic water drag, rough pond handling, and accidental impacts during operational surface running or submerging cycles without snapping.

Key Features and Specifications

• Accurate 1/35 Scale Precision: Precision-engineered for seamless, historically proportional integration with standard 1/35 scale Type XXIII submarine kits, scratch-built hulls, and museum-grade static displays.
• Prototypical 235 mm Length: Engineered with an exact 235 mm total height, matching the operational length required for fully extended periscope presentations on large-scale models.
• Historically Authentic Fleet Hardware: Faithfully represents the physical configuration of the standardized Zeiss periscope masts deployed aboard U-2321 and sister Type XXIII coastal Elektroboote during late-war North Sea combat sorties.
• Comprehensive 4-Piece Mast Suite: Includes four (4) high-detail components covering the primary optical masts and structural collar sleeves ready for direct installation.
• Unified Single-Piece Shaft Architecture: Eliminates delicate multi-piece butt joints and crooked centerlines, providing a perfectly aligned, solid-structure mast straight out of the box.
• RC Functional Adaptability: Available in impact-resistant PA12 White SLS nylon to deliver superior mechanical durability and flex resistance for operational radio-controlled running models.
• Lightweight Rigidity: Features an engineered structural profile that maintains exceptional structural stiffness across long, slender cylindrical spans without adding excess top-heavy weight inside the conning tower.
• Unpainted Finish: Arrives completely unpainted, providing an open canvas for custom finishing. Customize the masts to reflect natural polished steel, anti-reflective marine coatings, or camouflage schemes matching the upper sail.
• The Definitive Submarine Optics Overhaul: Replaces simplified, segmented plastic kit tubes with a sophisticated, mechanically correct three-dimensional representation of vital submarine target-acquisition systems.

A Canvas for Battle-Tested Fleet Artistry

Arriving in its raw finish, the 1/35 DKM U-Boot XXIII U-2321 Conning Tower Periscope Set serves as the ultimate starting point for advanced multi-layer painting, precise component color-blocking, and realistic maritime weathering.

• The Kriegsmarine Camouflage Scheme: Paint the upper periscope heads and tapered top collars in camouflage colors matching the surrounding conning tower—such as Hellgrau 50, Dunkelgrau 51, or a dark non-reflective slate gray to suppress glare when breaking the surface. Finish the sliding cylindrical mast bodies in polished stainless steel, bare gunmetal, or dark graphite. Apply high-gloss deep blue, tinted clear green, or reflective black varnish to the optical prism recesses to simulate precision optical glass lenses.
• Realistic Frontline Operational Weathering: Sliding through lubricated packing glands and repeatedly immersed in saltwater, operational periscope masts exhibit distinct service marks. Apply fine dark raw umber and soot black oil pin-washes around the collar seals and prism housings to establish crisp mechanical shadow definition. Add subtle vertical burnished silver streaks and dark grease marks along the lower shaft length to depict the friction of hydraulic raising and lowering through the sail, accompanied by faint dried salt stains along the upper head casing to reflect high-seas North Sea combat operations.