Hi glyn1, The Perkasa kits are very good value, especially the grp hull versions. The 49 grp kit contains all the building materials required to satisfactorily complete the hull and superstructure. A lot of the timber parts are on 'die cut' sheets of lite ply and clearly numbered, but be prepared for a lot of cutting/sanding, also there's a 'few'
balsa blocks to shape. Generally speaking, there's quite a bit of 'fettling' needed to achieve a good 'fit and finish'. Care and effort is needed, but the result is impressive, whatever level of finish. These 49's look very impressive on the water, especially at speed. These boats are lightweight and plane easily on i.c. or electic power.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17381.0The 'raw' materials to create a 'semblence' of the weapons and fittings are also included, however, most builders tend to source more detailed alternatives to enhance their finished boats.
Full clear building instructions are included and a very useful information booklet containing facts/ photographs of the original for adding detail.
The bow of the Brave Class (Perkasa) is not faithfully reproduced in any of these kits. The grp hull is a replica of the wood hull where thin sheet ply is wrapped around the stem to plate/form the bow above the chines, however, I'm sure most folk don't really notice. This compromise, was made to simplify building, although I did attempt to modify one my hulls with a bit of 'cut and shut' to approximate the bow on the original......... and wasted time.
Larger boats are certainly easier to work on and this kit is not tough....................... follow the 'destructions' carefully and your patience will be rewarded; the learning curve is'nt steep and the skills you will acquire are a plus for the future. There are easier, smaller kits at double the cost but this big kit, in spite of it's faults, builds into a great model.
