Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 04:23 AM UTC
This long-awaited kit is now here. Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Severn Class Lifeboat.
This Airfix kit enables a fully detailed model of the RNLI Lifeboat to be built.

Full detail of the outside deck, hull and fittings are included and by removing the cabin roof a fully detailed interior can be viewed.

The decal scheme will allow any one of the current operational RNLI Severn Class lifeboats to be modeled.

Length: 236mm
Height: 78mm

Kit contains 189 pieces.

**60 pence from the sale of this product will be paid in support of the RNLI.**

The Severn class lifeboat was introduced in 1995 and shares the same hull shape as the Trent class. It carries a powered Y boat that can be launched and recovered by a lightweight crane to enable rescues close to shore. Its propellers are protected so it can take ground without damage.

Category ~ All-weather
Introduced ~ 1995
Length ~ 17m
Range ~ 250 nautical miles
Speed ~ 25 knots
Weight ~ 41 tonnes
Crew ~ 6
Construction ~ Fibre reinforced composite
Launch type ~ Moored afloat
Key Features
* Self righting
* Navigation and communication
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Comments

Thank Kenny this is one I have to get. Oh just in case you didn't know the crews of the RNLI are all unpaid volunteers and the RNLI relies on donations. Ciao Luciano
JUN 10, 2007 - 04:45 AM
Gator, Thanks for the heads up. Looks like a great kit, talk about being dedicated to what your doing, volunters, that pretty darn cool.
JUN 10, 2007 - 06:52 AM
I got one a few weeks ago. It looks like a lovely kit. Has an interior too. I could post some unbuilt pics tomorrow if you want. [edit] They retail for around £15.
JUN 10, 2007 - 09:24 AM
That would be great Murdo.
JUN 10, 2007 - 11:36 AM
Hi Kenny Just a slight but important correction - it is the Royal National Lifetboat Institution - not connected to the Royal Navy. As Luciano says the whole shebang is funded through charitable donations and the lifeboat men are all volunteers with day jobs. True heroes. The kit looks good, i have looked round the real thing a few times (when not at sea they have open days to help raise money) and they are seriously nice bits of kit (no pun intended).
JUN 14, 2007 - 09:19 AM
Sorry for the delay chaps, here are the pics and description of the Airfix 1/72 RNLI Severn Class Lifeboat. There is a 30 page instruction manual with very clear, sharp drawings and a page of colour pictures of the real McCoy. There are four sprues contain about 150 parts and a clear sprue for windows. The plastic is very reminiscent of Evergreen and Plastruct. It’s reasonably soft and doesn’t seem brittle at all. There is virtually no flash and I didn't notice any ejector marks where they could be seen. There is a lot of nice surface detail and some of it is quite intricate but in my opinion it is a little on the soft side and will require careful painting so as not to obliterate it. A combination of decals is used to make the individual Lifeboat you want. I'll be doing 17-18, the Stornoway Lifeboat. This looks like it could build into a really classy, lovely model. Especially if someone brought out a PE set for it. Box lid Main Deck A combination of decals is used to make the individual Lifeboat you want. Showing interior and exterior drawings The bow thruster is a 1" long tube with a propeller inside it, very cleverly done. An example of the soft detail. It would be better and really easy to sand this hatch down and scratch a new one. MAN! I've just realised how much modelling time this write up and pic taking took up!
JUN 23, 2007 - 02:32 AM
Thanks Murdo! I bet some 1/72 aircraft pe harnesses would dress up those seats.
JUN 23, 2007 - 06:47 AM
No doubt! This could be a really spectacular kit. I'm hoping it has been done in a way that will allow the cabin / superstructure to sit on top so it can be removed to show the interior. By the way, it's hard to show just how unique and voluntary the RNLI is. It has no connection to any British Government organisation! Be it the UK Government or the Royal Navy or anything! It is a totally volunteer run, volunteer supported organisation. They rely totally on volunteer donations to support this work. It really is amazing! Help them out and support them! I always do! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_National_Lifeboat_Institution
JUN 23, 2007 - 09:12 AM
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Photos
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  • 72nd_RNLI_LIFEBOAT_1
  • Airfix_RNLI_Severn_Class_Lifeboat
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