Maritime reviews
BARENTS SEA BATTLER
Polish company MisterCraft has re-boxed Heller’s 1/400 Type 1936A zerstörer (destroyer), known by the Germans as the Z23-class (after the lead vessel) and Allies as Narvik-class.
OP CORPORATE FLAGSHIP
Released under the British Legends banner, it’s a return for Dragon’s 1/700 HMS Invincible in Revell packaging, representing the ship as it appeared during the 1982 Falklands War.
MARINE ASSAULT
Revell’s USS Tarawa was the first kit of this vessel, being released originally in 1977 and, unfortunately it hasn’t aged well.
DEEP SEA EXPLORER
It’s a return to the deep for Hasegawa, with the re-release of its splendid Shinkai 6500 submersible, this time with a two-piece cardboard base for an ‘seabed diorama set’.
BY AIR AND BY SEA
Revell has continued its partnership and support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger (DGzRS – German Maritime Search and Rescue Service) with the release of this large two-kit ship and helicopter gift set.
MARITIME GIANT
United States-based Imperial Hobby Productions is probably better known for its railway associated products, but its first styrene ship kit, HMS Colossus, is very impressive.
FLOATING FLAK
Ship-kit specialist Starling Models’ range of resin and photo-etched brass waterline subjects continues with HMS Alynbank, a converted anti-aircraft cruiser from World War Two.
BOTHNIAN U-BOAT
Special Hobby offshoot Special Navy’s Type II U-Boat is back, with different parts and markings to depict a Finnish vessel.
PRIDE OF THE ROYAL NAVY
f ever a kit deserved the moniker ‘Vintage Classic’ it’s Airfix’s HMS Hood, which is now 60 years old – despite this, the moulds have aged well and there was relatively little flash on the parts in AMW’s sample.
AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT
Being one of Airfix’s later offerings of this type, components on the three styrene runners feature restrained, yet well-defined detail, notably on the decking and life rings, although several heavy seams will require cleaning up prior to assembly.