Finished Reviews – maritime

Overall the Academy kit is quite good the bulk of the detail is there, my only gripe was the fact that the instructions need updating to allow people to know what the optional parts are and an expanded decal sheet with more hull numbers etc. The moulded surface detail on the parts isn’t bad although when compared to the likes of Tamiya or Dragon ship models it looks a little dated, overall a good model that needs some TLC to bring it up to standard.

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“The instruction sheet stated that the build should begin with the construction of the flight deck lifts; I chose to ignore this stage and move ahead to the superstructure in section 16 as I wanted more reference for the hangar deck before I chose what position to put them in. I started with the two superstructure halves, this went together with ease. Next came the two funnels and these went together well and the seams sanded to remove the join line. I noticed that the forward funnel had not moulded properly at the upper most front on one of the sides, this was sanded to make it nearly invisible. The rear funnel was assembled and it was found that one side was taller than the other; again this was rectified by sanding. These were then dry fitted to the superstructure and any fit issues sorted with a little sanding.” Gareth Jordan, Reviewer

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“So did I do it, yes, total build time was just over 3 hours, but with calls, work and other stuff it took me all day in real terms.
I loved this kit – it was fun to build, is accurate and a total joy. This is a real value for money kit as all you need is in the box and it’s simple and looks great when complete.”

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“Now before I start I should write that I have never had any interest in boats model or otherwise and as such have never built one in any scale. My passion is military aircraft modelling and normally in 1:32 or 1:35 (helicopters) Scale. I have forayed into armour but never boats or ships! What on earth I can hear you thinking has possessed me? Well read on and find out because this kit has led me to the ‘dark side’ and it is simply fantastic… but isn’t it always!
I recall first seeing the model sprues at last year’s Scale ModelWorld and said to Geoff Coughlin, who was with me, that I had to build one…” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“This is a fantastic kit and Revell have done this great ship proud. It’s wonderfully detailed and fits together without tears. I think sprue gates are too heavy and I would like to see Revell use slide mould techniques more to get that extra finesse that Dragon and even Trumpeter achieve. This said it’s the best Bismarck on the market and really looks the part when complete. I hope that the editor and you feel I have done the kit justice?” Les Venus, Reviewer August 2011

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“I guess I was first drawn to this kit when I watched recently the Richard Widmark and Henry Poitier film ‘The Bedford Incident’ which, I think stars a late mark Fletcher Class destroyer and some wonderfully evocative shots of it ploughing through a cold north Atlantic sea. Moreover I saw the made-up model of this in Revell’s always impressive display case at last year’s Scale Modelworld at Telford and thought then I wouldn’t mind a crack at that. I then read SMN reviewer, Ian Ruscoe’s, review of this kit in one of those quaint paper magazines (now now Les…Ed). Ian’s modelling skill and Mat Barron’s amazing skills with etched brass have for some while been an inspiration to me and I wanted with this build to try and acquire something of those in this, my attempt ever at a surface ship build and moreover my first ever 1:144th scale build. So pun absolutely intended, I was and have indeed “pushed the boat out” on this one!” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“…the first thing to note is how big this monster is. You can see it against a regular pot of Revell and Tamiya Paint and my latest 1:72nd scale Holland Class Sub. The kit isn’t difficult but will need very careful planning. I am fortunate in having a large purpose built ‘den’ for my modelling but as you can see it takes up all the available space on my build table. So before you go out and buy one of these beauties make sure you have the space and prepare to buy your partner something very nice and probably very expensive to make up for the disruption!!” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“Regular SMN readers will know of my current obsession with all things water borne; mostly submarines. I’m not sure that I know what it is that captured my imagination but I think it’s probably the evocative shape.

This is my second Special Navy U-Boat the last, also reviewed in SMN, was the Type XXIII. As I write I am also building a 1914 Type 12 U Boat but I am awaiting spares before I can finish it off but it’ll be worth the wait. I have also just started the Gato Class and have a Type VII in the wings to complete as well……..will I ever get back to an aircraft…..Don’t worry Geoff I’ll get back to that Kurnass soon!” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“This is a beautiful kit of an interesting late war German Coastal U Boat. It is my first ever build of a submarine and my first 1:72nd scale model in many years. The shape of the boat and the quality of the parts is a real draw if not the price which part for part makes this a very expensive model indeed.

Care is the word. Everything in this scale and with limited run kits is about care and precision. It’s teaching me a lot and this in my view is a lot of added value for me as a modeller. The hull is in two pieces and despite other reviews I’ve seen of this kit was free from warping. Just take time with it and before long it’s done.” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“This is a great model and from the box is impressive but to do the kit justice it is essential to get the barrels and your etch brass of choice. Mine next time would be White Ensign but the Gold Medal stuff is good just not as good.
It’s not a difficult kit to build and paint – just needs planning and care. I am not entirely happy with the finish on some aspects like the deck in some areas and some of my brass work but I think overall it’s a reasonable stab from someone who is still a novice at ship building. (Novice?!?! MB). My point is don’t be scared to have a go. It’s really rewarding and teaches a raft of new skills and provides good training that will bring considerable finesse to your modelling skills.

I’m hooked on maritime modelling and the Yamato has been a fantastic and utterly enjoyable build which I strongly recommend.” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“Tamiya’s KGV is a wonderful kit and it was until it broke my best ship model yet. It’s now a bunch of spares! Build it though, it’s beautiful as a ship and a glorious model and hugely rewarding. My advice – leave it as a full hull and enjoy the finished work………..unlike me!” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“I really enjoyed this model it’s absolutely first class and the level of detail from the box is way better than that offered in the Yamato. Fit is mostly excellent and instructions clear and logical. ” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“Trumpeter has provided an excellent base so that in the right hands can be an outstanding model. It took me two goes yes but that’s no fault of the kit it is superb. Yes fit is a bit iffy in places but nothing a swipe with a sander or a little filler can’t fix and in this case its worth that bit of effort.” Les Venus, Reviewer

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“I started with one of the .50 cal machine gun platforms; this is where I differed from the instructions. They call for you to use a razor saw to cut a line in the superstructure for the P.E. part to fit into. Now I don’t own a razor saw so I had to improvise, using a scalpel blade I cut a wedge into the superstructure then cut part of the platform out so it’d fit snugly, as you can see in the photos, it worked (happy days)!! I then moved onto the aft section…” Mat Barron, Reviewer

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“Overall though this is a wonderful piece of model engineering and I cannot recommend it enough. It was my first ever attempt at 1:350th scale and because of it the result to me is just about acceptable. The important thing is though, it won’t be my last 1:350th scale kit and I think this most of all speaks volumes about how good a kit this is.
I think the model choice was inspirational and it deserves success. It seems expensive but the hours it gives the modeller on a pounds per minute basis its standard price and therefore it’s well worth the money.” Les Venus, Reviewer.

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HMS Starling was built by Fairfield Shipbuilders and Engineering ltd, Govan and launched on 14 October 1942. She was completed to a design based on the Black Swan class of escort sloop but modified with better equipment and a slightly wider beam. She also had the new addition of stabilisers, which made her a good AA gun platform, which was ideal for her role as Anti Aircraft and Anti Submarine escort ship.

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“As I said at the start the instruction book is fabulous little reference but give this a thought. On 9 August 1915 the real U-12 under the Command of Liniensciffsleutnant Egon Lerch was trying to sneak into Venice harbour to torpedo shipping at anchor but was lured into a minefield and sunk with all hands. Submarines were a dangerous business but to these pioneers of the profession it was doubly so.” Les Venus, Reviewer

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