Review by Les Venus
Price: £170.00 or less
References…
- http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-a/bb39.htm
- http://www.ussarizona.org/hubs/media.html
Background…
USS Arizona is arguably the most famous warship in US history. Given its huge significance into the USA’s entry into WW2 following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941. The history is well known but there have not, to my knowledge, been a profusion of models of this famous ship. I recommend a look at the two references which will be all the inspiration you need to get cracking on this incredible ship.
Laid down in 1914 it’s a Dreadnought Class battleship and looks in many ways similar to those used by the RN in WW1. Not a huge ship and in many ways it was already obsolete at the start of WW2 and would certainly have been outgunned by its Japanese equivalents. Nevertheless its place in history is assured and it deserves to be given the 1:200th scale treatment by Trumpeter.
It wasn’t originally on my list of must-haves but the modelling forums have been full of it and for once complimentary. Also at only 990mm long I felt it would be manageable and not like the horror in logistics terms that the Gato was! So fingers in pockets again I decided to get this kit and what follows are my impressions.
I should add that White Ensign Models are already doing a brass set for this and I won’t be building this until I have that set in my mitts! But for now here’s what you get and in truth for most it’s more than enough.
The Box and packaging…
When the box arrived from Hannants within 2 days of ordering I was truly taken aback by its sheer size! Well just look at it next to the box of the KGV and that’s big enough! The box top painting is a little bland and doesn’t really inspire but is ok. Well look at the KGV again for comparison!
The sides are adorned with what the colour choices are plus some really nice teasers on what’s in the box. All in all it’s a good package and I have to say I like it.
Open the Box and one gets a surprise as you’re confronted by a group of sealed boxes which contain the hull, instructions, brass, the bridge, the guns, anchor chains, and the two fabulous Kingfisher floatplanes, but more of that anon!
On first impression the kit is well packed but below the boxes inside are a bunch of plastic sprues all in separate poly bags which make up the main of the just more than 1000 parts that comprise this kit. So what’s inside then?