A_M_W_2015_05_

Airfix Model World

{102}www.airfixmodelworld.com

ON THE SHELF

MARITIME KITS

Harking back to an earlier period of model-making, Revell’s re-released

USS Constitution is holding up well for a 40-year old kit. Detail is of the

raised type, with the deck, and its integral cannon mounts, as the stand-

out feature...and although there are heavy mould seams and some flash,

this will be simple to rectify. As would be expected from a kit of this age,

the sails are vacuum-formed, and

will need to be removed from their

styrene sheet before assembly. For

the rigging, the modeller is provided

with two reels of thread and a choice

of basic or detailed...the latter will

take considerable time and patience!

No decals are provided, but the

national flags and ensigns are

provided on a paper sheet.

OLD IRONSIDE IS BACK

NAGATO GUNS

GLOBETROTTING GALLEON

NIPPONESE SHIP EQUIPMENT

Hasegawa has expanded its accessories for Japanese World War

Two vessels, with a set designed to augment IJN 1/350 destroyers.

Comprising four each of the B-type twin 12.7cm gun mount, Type 92

quad torpedo launcher, motor boat and cutter, there are also smaller

twin anti-aircraft mounts and ship

fittings. Although the runners are

duplicates from Hasegawa's Kagero

kits, the majority of this set can be

used on other IJN destroyers and

cruisers. While the main features

are undoubtedly the larger gun and

torpedo mounts, the small boats,

which include launch/recovery

davits, are well detailed, with options

for opened and closed covers, and

even oars for the cutters.

All hobbies have occasional trends or fads, and the use of multi-coloured

parts seems to be one of those coming back in to fashion, especially for

‘snap-together’ kits, such as Zvezda’s new-tool Golden Hind. All of the

parts feature crisp detail, particularly the cannon and hull parts; although

due to moulding limitations the

ratlines are rather thick. This is an

ideal kit for beginners, as it can be

assembled without glue or paint,

and will build quickly into a faithful

replica. Zvezda has thoughtfully

provided stands for full-hull and

waterline options, as well as a

name-plate. The decal sheet is

surprisingly busy, and includes all

of the complex livery and heraldry

carried by ships of that period.

Hasegawa has a reputation for producing detail sets for aircraft and

ships, and this new set is intended for that company’s Nagato battleship.

However, it contains far more than the stated twin 41cm main gun

turrets, in fact the entire secondary armament of 20 x 14cm guns is

included. The confusion arises when these parts are compared to the

actual ship kit...they are merely

duplicates of runners N and T, and

this type of turret was apparently

only used on the two Nagato-class

vessels. Putting that aside, the parts

are moulded to Hasegawa’s usual

high standards, with the hollowed

main gun barrels a neat touch. While

providing a useful set of spare parts

for the battleship kits, it will also

enable modellers to add armament

to ‘what-if’ subjects.

PRODUCT SPEC

USS Constitution

By: Revell

Item no: 05472

Scale: 1/146

Price: £19.99

Available from:

Revell, http://www.revell.de/en

PRODUCT SPEC

Japanese Navy Ship

Equipments Set D

By: Hasegawa

Item no: 40088

Scale: 1/350

Price: £19.99

Available from:

Amerang,

http://www.amerang.co.uk

PRODUCT SPEC

Japanese Navy Ship

Equipments Set C

By: Hasegawa

Item no: 40087

Scale: 1/350

Price: £19.99

Available from:

Amerang,

http://www.amerang.co.uk

PRODUCT SPEC

Sir Francis Drake’s Flagship

Golden Hind

By: Zvezda

Item no: 6509

Scale: 1/350

Price: £9.99

Available from:

The Hobby Company,

http://www.hobbyco.net

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