White Ensign Models H.M.S Starling Modified Swan Class Sloop

Scale: 1:350
Reviewer: Mathew Barron

Our thanks to White Ensign Models for supplying the review sample – www.whiteensignmodels.com

The Box

This is the usual well thought out packaged kit from White Ensign Models.  The two hull sections come wrapped up in bubble wrap, all the white metal and resin parts are bagged, and the rest of the box is filled with flow-pack.  All in all another well packed kit from WEM. Not all the parts are included here – there are just too many, but a good representation is shown to illustrate the quality of offer and don’t forget, this is 1:350 scale!

The Instructions

This is the second kit from WEM, and I must assume that they invest a lot of time and effort into producing really helpful and informative instructions.  The first page covers a history of the H.M.S. Starling from its launch in 1942 until it was scrapped in 1965, also some specifications and armament facts and figures.  Following this there is a picture of all the resin, photo etch (P.E) and white metal parts included in this kit, with a description of what everything is.  As with previous WEM instructions, a set of general instructions on how to work with the P.E. frets is included in the kit.  Next is the really important part of the instructions, the bit that tells you how to construct the model, these steps are well laid out, with clear pictures and a good description of what to do at each stage.  There are two options with this kit, an early fit (43-44) and a late fit (44-48), and at numerous stages in the construction there will be different options be it armament or radar.  Care should be taken so you don’t end up with a model half way through a refit, but each step is clearly labelled.  There are also a couple of last little steps that don’t require any pictures, but a detailed description of what’s required is more than sufficient.

The final part of the instructions is the painting guide, which again covers both early and late fit colour schemes.  Colour references are provided for White Ensign paints, but no others.  You’ll have to do your own research if you want to use any other brand of paint.  All in all, a very helpful set of instructions.

Read on about the Kit…