1/72 Vosper MTB kit – an ‘inbox look’.

I wish to give you my opinion on the first kit to be released by Coastal Craft Models of the UK. It is the Vosper MTB, is largely a resin kit and is to 1/72nd scale.

This is mainly a first glance into the kit soon after receiving it from the UK. As far as I know the only other kits depicting this version of the Vosper are the Revell one which I think is a little odd being a British design, built in the US for the Russians! Some have converted this kit to what I call a ‘normal’ Vosper MTB and while probably difficult is not impossible. The other kit is a 1/100 scale card model from Pro-Model which is easily converted to 1/72 by merely photocopying to rescale the parts pages.

This kit is the very first kit produced by Coastal Craft of the UK who state on the box top:
“Multi-media model kits of coastal craft from around the world”.

The kit comes nicely packed in a reasonably stout box with the smaller parts inside a smaller box for added protection with the parts packed in small zipper type plastic bags. The kit retails for 85GBP (Great Britain Pounds).

The instructions are in the form of a book containing lots of photo’s and diagrams to aid assembly. The book also contains some history of MTB 234 in particular as decals for this boat are the only ones provided. There is also a short history of coastal forces in general and some notes on colour schemes. The decal option is for MTB 234 whose CO was LCdr Peter Dickens, SO (Senior Officer) of the 21st MTB Flotilla operating out of Felixstowe during April/May 1943. Peter Dickens was the great grandson of notable English novelist Charles Dickens.

The instructions include order forms for the accessories which are available separately and these include single (the kit has a single 20mm) and twin 20mm Oerlikons, Carley float, Ammo lockers and depth charges plus some others. Also included is a fully illustrated list of figures produced by Gunthwaite Miniatures and while the figures are really nicely done with quite a number of variations, I think some figures in action poses, gun crews etc will be the icing on the cake for an already great range.

Resin parts include the hull, deck, bridge/charthouse, torpedo tubes, the twin Vickers gun tub and various small detail parts like bollards etc. There is a piece of plastic to cut out the transom and I believe the mast is plastic. Brass etch parts include bridge details, gun sights, cavitation plates, portholes, handrails and other quite small detail items. Some whitemetal parts include props, 20mm gun and rudders to name just a few.

Future kits are listed in the instruction booklet as –

British Power Boat Co. MTB and MGB , most likely the 71’9” and 71’6” versions.
Fairmile D class MGB and
Mid-war German S-Boat, I believe the S-38 version between the Airfix and Revell plastic kits.

Coastal Craft models can be contacted at – [email protected] where you can register your interest in the above. Their release will be governed of course by sales of the Vosper and interest in these future kits.

Roger Pearson.
Bendigo, Australia.

Oops,

Just realised I haven’t actually stated my opinion which is – I’m very impressed indeed, I love it. It’s a great looking kit, plenty of scope for extra detailing and with some crew figures will look very impressive. I’m positive once other purchasers start building this fine model, build reviews will come thick and fast.

Roger.

Agree with your appraisal Roger, Picked one of these up at Telford, along with some of the Gunthwaite figures.

Will be building as partr of the Osprey Duels campaign, intend to get started in the spriong sometime, so keep an eye on that.

Si

Sounds interesting, but I'd be more interested in their accessories: oerlikons, ready lockers etc...but can't find a web site, review pics anything.... Can you give any more details on the company?

Thanks
Sean

G'day Sean,

No website at this stage, I'll try and add some piccies -- no won't let me, says the server is too busy. Not sure how you send pers messages on here so my e-mail address is -- [email protected]
I'll be happy to send some shots of the kit.

Roger in OZ.