U.S.Navy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle - DSRV-1 Mystic
Models in box: 2 Kits
Item: RN28009
Media: Styrene and photo-etch

Riich

Riich is sort of a new company on the shelf. According to their website they have been making models for some time now under the label of other model companies. Now they are marketing their own models with Riich kitting several unique air, sea and land subjects. DSRV-1 Mystic as one of their offerings.

Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle - DSRV

Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles perform rescue operations on submerged, disabled submarines of the U.S. Navy or foreign navies.

DSRVs are designed for quick deployment in the event of a submarine accident. DSRVs are transportable by truck, aircraft, ship, or by specially configured attack submarine. At the accident site, the DSRV works with either a "mother" ship or "mother" submarine. The DSRV dives, conducts a sonar search, and attaches to the disabled submarine's hatch. DSRVs can embark up to 24 personnel for transfer to the "mother" vessel.

The DSRV also has an arm to clear hatches on a disabled submarine and a combined gripper and cable cutter. The gripper is able to lift 1,000 pounds.

DSRVs were developed as a result of the USS Thresher submarine accident in 1963, when all hands were lost. At the time, submarine operating depths greatly exceeded the capabilities of rescue vessels. The Deep Submergence Systems Project contracted with Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co. to produce a deep diving rescue submarine, the first of which was launched in 1970.

General Characteristics, DSRV
Builder: Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co., Sunnyvale, CA.
Propulsion: Electric motors, silver/zinc batteries, one shaft, 15 shaft horsepower, four thrusters, 7.5 horsepower.
Length: 49 feet (15 meters).
Beam: 8 feet (2.4 meters).
Displacement: 8 feet (2.4 meters).
Speed: 4 kts.
Depth: Maximum: 5,000 feet (1524 meters).
Crew: Two pilots, two rescue personnel and the capacity for 24 passengers.
Electronics: Sonar: Search and navigation.
Ships:
Mystic (DSRV 1), No homeport
Avalon (DSRV 2), No homeport †
- The US Navy--Fact File: Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle - DSRV.

In the Slip

Mystic arrives sealed inside an end-opening box decorated with a vignette of the DSRV-1 as box art. On the back are five color illustrations of the vessel for painting guidance. Inside the box are twin sprues each holding parts for a complete DSRV in a plastic bag, a baggie of twin photo-etch frets, and the instruction sheet.

Molding is high quality with no flash, sink holes, mold seam lines, or visible ejector circles. The sub has a slight texture to the surface.

Each sub is built with nine basic parts, including the cradle mounts. Not enough for you? Read on!

Detail

All surface detail is molded on. Each sub is built with nine basic parts yet there's more. Riich includes 21 photo-etched pieces per sub including propeller blades for the screw, four diminutive propellers for lateral and longitudinal control, rings around the escape chamber, stabilizing structures for the cradle, plus several other tiny parts.

Instructions, painting, decals

No decals. A shame as images I found of these DSRVs have plenty of stenciling. Oddly, there is an image on the box side showing the American flag with the statement of 'high-quality decal inside.' A sheet shows the simple assembly sequence. It is clearly illustrated.

Painting guidance is shown on the back of the box. Four brands are referenced: Mr. Hobby; Humbrol; Tamiya; Model Master.

Conclusion

Riich has kitted a curious yet interesting subject with this DSRV set. They also issue a Los Angles class submarine 'mother ship' with this DSRV as a combo set. This model features good molding and fine detail, plus a large photo-etch fret.

Drawbacks to this kit are lack of decals. Perhaps the other 'ding' is the textured surface as
photos I found of Mystic and Avalon show smooth hulls.

This special duty submarine is a unique stand-alone model for the 1/350 crew. The good molding and generous p/e parts for this pair of models offers a wonderful set. I happily recommend it.

Please remember to tell vendors and retailers that you saw this model here - on ModelShipWrights.
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Source

†. Official Website of the United States Navy. The US Navy--Fact File: Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle - DSRV. [Web.] 20 February 2009.