Reviewer: Mathew Barron (November 2010)
The Box
When you open the box, the first thing you notice is the well separated parts, and the fact that everything is well packed, the hull on its own, separate resin parts, and finally the P.E.
ZOOM - Move your mouse over image
The Instructions
The instructions start with a brief overview of the history of the MTB which covers some facts and figures and the armaments fitted to this type of boat. It then moves into a colour profile of the MTB. There are good instructions on how to get the best out of the P.E. fret included. The next page and a half covers the P.E. components of the kit, and where to fold them (which I think will be very helpful during the construction phase). There are a couple of paragraphs about the construction which is all that is required (due to the size of the model) and is followed by three large diagrams showing the placement of the components. These diagrams appear to be the key to producing this kit, everything is numbered (relating to the earlier P.E. instructions) and clearly marked as to where it belongs on the kit.
The Kit
Well, the first thing I’m going to say about this kit is…. WOW!! The hull is one cast piece, which has some small air bubbles on the lower hull, these will be easily fix, and is the only issue with this amazing little kit. There are rafts, guns and torpedoes cast in resin, which have little or no flash, the casting blocks have been removed (which is a bonus). Some plastic stock is provided to make some of the details on the deck which is adequate in this scale and well thought out on White Ensign Models part. Next is the photo etch fret included in the kit, the detail on this set is truly outstanding, from the extremely fine railings to the relief detail on the various weapons such as the Vickers and Oerlikon’s. There are options for removing the resin torpedo rails and replacing them with P.E. This must really be seen to believe, it’s one of the best photo etch frets I’ve ever had the pleasure to look at!
Conclusion
With change from £10 this tiny kit is extremely good value for money. The photo etch set is truly something to be seen, and all the resin is cast beautifully, with only a couple of air bubbles on the underside of the hull. The only thing you, as the modeller needs to supply is a base for your completed model (I’d give Just Bases a call for this one). So all in all I would most definitely recommend this kit, it will build into an amazing model for somebody with average skill and a lot of patience.
If I could sum this kit up in one word it would have to be WOW!! (I know I’ve said this already, but words can’t really do this kit justice) MB