Introduction

The HMS Engadine started life as a cross channel pack steamer but was acquired by the Admiralty in 1914 for use as a seaplane tender. She first had a temporary canvas hanger that could hold three seaplanes, and, in that guise, she participated in the Cuxhaven raid. In 1915 she had a permanent hanger built that could hold four seaplanes. Later that year she was attached to the Grand fleet. Capable of 21 knots she participated in sweeps of the North Sea and was present at the Battle of Jutland where one of her Short 184 seaplanes spotted the High Seas Fleet escaping. The pilot flew back to the HMS Engadine and reported what he had seen but the message was not relayed to Jellicoe and so an opportunity was lost. After the war she returned to her cross channel duties until she was sold to the Philippines in the 30’s where she was finally sunk with great loss of life at the start of WW2.

Review

Made by Resin Model Studio HMS Engadine the model is suplied in a sturdy box and is molded in grey resin. It also comes with one resin and photo-etch Sopwith Baby seaplane and one Short 184 seaplane. Each part set are provided in their own small plastic bags. The moldings have fine detail for the decks and deck houses and the portholes are also well defined and not unaligned. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the hanger was not a solid chunk of resin but is two thin walls that will have to have photo-etched support beams glued in. The beams are a very nice touch but may be difficult to build. I also liked that there is a large sprue at a right angle to the bottom of the hull because I believe that it will help prevent the hull from hanging or sagging as it cures. Because I have not started to build the kit I do not know how the parts will fit

A large photo-etch fret contains the above mentioned beams, davits, deck supports, boat details, cranes and details for the seaplanes. There are also some steel wires that are to be used to fabricate the foremast. The decal sheet includes tiny markings for the seaplanes. Instructions are in English (and possibly Polish), and do not seem to be really detailed, but do include several different color schemes for the HMS Engadine.

This is a very nice kit of a ship of an era and type that I find to be intensely interesting. I will start posting a build log this summer after I finish a couple other projects.