A Brief History...
Project : 1164 (Atlant) came to be as an answer to the mounting threat from American Carrier groups. Falling between the larger Kirov and the smaller Sovremenny, the Slava Class cruisers were and still are a powerful addition to the Russian Navy. It's armament is centered around the 16 powerful SS-N-12 'Sandbox' surface to surface missiles, which, armed with either a nuclear or a 1000kg warhead, are capable of reaching targets as far as 550km (350miles). Four ships where completed (Moskva, Varyag, Marshall Ustinov, and Admiral Flota Lobov), three of which serve under the Russian banner, the forth ship Vilna Ukrayina (ex- Admiral Flota Lobov) was handed over to the Ukranians and is still under construction. The ship is defended by 8 vertical SA-N-6 (Grumble) SAM launchers and 2 SA-N-4 (Gecko) SAM launchers.
What's in the Box...
Trumpeter gives you a great little package, a nice sturdy box with great artwork showing the Varyag steaming off in what is presumably the Pacific Ocean. You get 8 sprues molded in a light grey plastic. It appears that Trumpeter is using their own stock of plastic, as Pit-Road's past offerings have given us a much softer and unforgiving plastic. The plastic shows some hint of flash, but nothing troublesome. The detail on the parts is first rate, typical Pit-Road. Trumpeter gives you the option of a full or water-line hull. A ten page instruction booklet and a colour 3-view drawing gives you all that is necessary to build-up the model.
Markings...
A nice decal sheet gives you the option of modelling the four ships in the line, two of which are unknown to me.
Moskva, Black Sea Fleet... hull number 121
Varyag, Pacific Fleet... hull number 011
Marshal Ustinov, Northern Fleet... hull number 088
Conclusion...
A great addition by Trumpeter. They continue to add to their recent line up of Modern Russian Naval fleet vessels. The Varyag will certainly stand out on any display base, but for a trully inspiring sight, imagine her sailing next to the Kuznetzov, Admiral Gorshkov, and the Kirov. Thanks to Trumpeter, you can now create this fearsome battle fleet in 700th scale.
note from the editor
With the recent change here to MSW some features are still in the limbo, but here is the link for a "walkaround" on the Slava 088 Admiral Makarov, taken in transit to Gibraltar, back in 1989 - hope tha this photos can help you guys when making this Slava.
Marshal Ustinov 088, Admiral Makarov 659, Kresta II 959 Surveillance Pictures
Skipper
