Admiralty Model Works specializes in producing top quality model kits in different scales. This set represents the early 15” Mark I Gun turrets fitted to the Queen Elizabeth and Royal Sovereign (Revenge) class battleships which allowed the guns to be elevated only 20 degrees, as compared to the later version which allowed 30 degrees and a corresponding increase in range.
History
Beginning in 1915, most Royal Navy Battleships and Battlecruisers were equipped with the 15” Mark I gun. The 15” Mark I was quickly developed as an enlarged and strengthened version of the 13.5” Mark V gun and mounting. The larger armament provided much greater hitting power with fewer guns; 8 x 15” guns in 4 twin mounts versus 10 x 13.5” in guns in 5 twin mounts, in addition to slightly increased in range. The gun proved to be very reliable and accurate and could drop tight groups of shells even at 20,000 yards. These turrets were heavily armored with 13.5” of armor on the face, 11” on the sides and 4.25” on the roof.
These turrets were used on the “Queen Elizabeth” and “Royal Sovereign” (Revenge) Class Battleships and as originally built they allowed for a gun elevation of 20 degrees. Later modifications increased the elevation to 30 degrees with a corresponding increase in range. This set is based on the original early turrets.
These turrets are appropriate for the following Royal Navy Battleships:
Queen Elizabeth Battleships • Queen Elizabeth • Warspite • Valiant • Barham • Malaya
Royal Sovereign (Revenge) Class Battleships • Ramilles • Resolution • Revenge • Royal Oak • Royal Sovereign
The Set
This set from Admiralty Model Works is packaged in a small clear plastic bag with a small tag folded over and stapled at the top. There are 6 turrets, 4 with 15 ft. rangefinders and 2 with 30’ range finders.
The detail of the rangefinders and turrets look good and are superior to the often ambiguous details of the original kit parts. The only flaw I can see are that the 30’ rangefinders, which extend beyond the width of the turret and should be straight and perpendicular to the deck, sag down just a bit. Delicate ladders are cast onto the sides. You can use the plastic kit barrels or supply your own aftermarket barrels and you will have to make your own blast bags Care will be needed when adapting the barrels for use with these turrets. Carefully measure the exterior barrel length and take into account the shallow depth of the holes in the front of the turret. I would suggest frequent dry fitting to ensure the proper angle at the base in order to achieve the elevation you want. Remember, 20 degrees is the maximum elevation for this turret configuration. You will have to make your own blast bags so sculpting skills are needed here.
Conclusion
Overall it’s a good set and is a nice upgrade for kits with more simplistically molded styrene turrets. Some modeling skills will be required to adapt barrels to the turrets and to craft your own blast bags around the base of the guns.
References
Osprey New Vanguard British Battleships (2) Queen Elizabeth and Royal Sovereign Classes Osprey New Vanguard 154 By Angus Konstam IIlustrated by Tony Bryan & Paul Wright
Conway’s Battleships (revised and expanded edition) The Definitive Visual Reference to the World’s All-Big-Gun Ships Naval Institute Press
SUMMARY
Highs: Nice details, including rangefinders and ladders. Proper shape of the early 15” Mark I turrets. Lows: Skills needed to attach barrels and create your own blast bags, which should be no big deal for intermediate modelers and above.Verdict: These are a nice representation of the early 15” Mark I Turrets used on the Queen Elizabeth and Royal Sovereign (Revenge) class battleships.
Our Thanks to Admiralty Model Works! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Scott Espin (Spiff) FROM: NEVADA, UNITED STATES
I have been an avid student of military history for over 35 years, especially World War II with my focus mostly on German military equipment (tanks and aircraft). I'm especially interested in anything relating to the Eastern Front and North Africa.
My Dad ignited my passion for modeling when I...
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