¹⁄700

HMS Hermes

Here it is, my next aircraft carrier!

This time it's Flyhawks 1/700 scale kit of the HMS Hermes. This was the first ship to be planned as an aircraft carrier, although the IJN Hōshō would be commissioned and launched beforehand. The Flyhawk kit represents a new quality level in plastic model shipbuilding. The detailing and accuracy is outstanding. Many parts are injected in one piece as the chimney and the bridge. You can build the Hermes as the 1942 version. There are 8 Fairy Swordfish aircraft included. Also the most necessary photo etch parts, like the reeling and aircraft parts are included.

Construction is quick and easy. The instructions could however be larger. I am also left with one question, why are the painting instructions on the underside of the cardboard? There are also a few points that I noticed during the construction. These do not diminish my enthusiasm for the kit, but I would like to mention them.

• In 1939 Hermes received a demagnetization cable. This is not included. It is not to be seen on a photo with this type camouflage. On an earlier picture, this is clearly visible, so check your references carefully. • The reeling for the rear area under the flight deck is missing. Since I left it off from the flight deck partly, I added the sparse. • When building the planes with photo etch, remove the dome under the upper wing. • I did not use the photo etch running gear, but apart from that I was very satisfied with the planes. • Also when building the planes with open wings the markings on the lower wing for the photo etch is wrong. Just glue it further out wards. • The Hermes had 12 Swordfish on board, but included are only 8 pieces. There are separate to buy but on this small flying deck 8 pieces are enough . • A problem with the construction occurred with the tripod mast. There are no markings where to glue part Q-11 . After I glued it wrong and removed it, I put Q-11 loosely on the mast legs M-3 and M-4. Then I glued first part Q-24, then part P-4 and at last part Q-11.

As an accessory I used 140 mm gun barrels from Aber. I also used two Flyhawk sets for the 102 mm guns and the Oerlikons. The rigging was made sing Rig That Thing from Uschi. I painted the model with the Vallejo colors 990 + 919 (1: 3) for the basic color and 816 and 900 for the camouflage colors. The planes were also painted with Vallejo. The water was modeled into the base with the Water Effects of Vallejo.

I hope I can inspire one or another to build this great kit. A 1937 version of the Hermes was also announced recently.