Thanks John, I can see why they Zvezda have moulded those components clear, but I reckon they would look so much better good etched. Best be putting my money where my mouth is and get a pre-order in Si

just found this over on steelnavy. the sprues look a lot better than the built up test shots LINK Si

Thanks for the link. The review sounds very promising. Cheers, Harm

I'm still gonna get 3 of them. --Karl

Am certainly looking at getting a second & converting her to Bellerphon, that shouldn't be too difficult, second tripod mast and revised secondary armament, plus a few other minor details. One of the minor details will be getting hold of 16 4" mk vii's in 1/350th, cos scratchbuilding them sure would be fun. Si

Got mine last evening. Very impressed. might not quite be as crisp as some of the releases from the far east, but a lot of subtle detail. The decks are very impresive the placking has butt ends, and is well done, some clever work with washes needed there to bring the detail out. The structure of the boat racks and bridge supports is well thought out and quite finely moulded. The hull is deeply v'ed on the waterline and has internal braces, for those of us (Myself included) that will waterline it. (Missing Porthole eyebrows are a bit noticable, something for the etch maybe, lazyness on my part) The 12 pdrs are a bit ordinary, espeically as most of the are right out on display, but a few etched handwheels & details would help. all in all for the price, very happy indeed, and am looking at what is needed for conversion into HMS Bellerphon. That is definitely on the list., and maybe HMS St Vincent, but that does involve lenghtening the hull and sourciing some 12"/50's. All in all very good job indeed Zvezda. Lots out of 10, Now can we have HMS Iron Duke pls. Si

That's encouraging news, Simon! I'll definitely get an extra to produce Temeraire. If this kit sells strongly, perhaps the tragic battlecruisers will appear as well. --Karl

Hi Karl, The conversion possiblities are pretty good, I am looking at Bellerphon as built, and in D K Brown's Grand Fleet there is a Nice pic of Superb entering the Grand Harbour in 1919, with the double decked casemates, enlarged superstructure etc, that is a tempting prospect too. Would still like toa St Vincent, but that is one for the future. I certainly hope it sells well, and we see more WW1 era models Si

Sorry not to catch this earlier...haven't checked in in a while From memory the turret mounted 12 pounders were linked to the main armament to allow practice without requiring the expenditure of 12" rounds. I think you'll find these were removed later in her life as impractical.