Hi Michael
I purchased this kit before Christmas.Done a bit of work on her as a intermittent break from my Seabex One.I also bought a book by a German publisher on the design and construction of her including the author scratchbuilding a 1/75 model of her whilst the prototype was being built.
The kit is not without one or two issues.The kort nozzles come moulded as a pair included the central support.I had the split this and glue back together as this piece is cast resin and was distorted.
There are two random square holes in the aft deck above the rudders.No provision is made for any sort of hatch.This is left to the builders ingenuity.
I built the superstructure carcass from deck to the top of the bridge in two days!The multi axis cnc milling of the parts is brilliant but extreme care and dry assembly is needed as the instructions are very basic.For instance,there is a piece which looks like a base plate for the superstructure,but in fact it isn't.I had to do a little draughting to come to the conclusion it actually sits 37mm above the bottom of the superstructure.
The photoectch sheets are brilliant.They even include treadplate on the individual stair steps.Holes are premarked from the railings and once you have sussed how to fold the railings as the manufacturer intended,they line up perfectly.
Any regrets in my purchase,NO!This is perhaps the most accurate to the original RC model boat kit I have had in my possession.It is marketed as museum quality,a phrase that is often misused.However,in this case,with minimum additional work,the standard of what would be best described as a builder's model is achievable.
I have been taking pics and will start a log when I am further on.Like I said,I bought this build as a bit of light relief from Seabex so isn't my main project.
Hope this is of some help
Regards
Nigel
