Revell 451 – Corbeta Clase Flower – Escala 1:72

To avoid mis-identity this is a review of the REVELL TECHNIK «FLOWER» Class Corvette kit, scale 1:72 NOT the more expensive «Platinum» version which might well address some of the issues I identify, nor the smaller 1:144 scale.

Given that construction of this kit is a long term project, this review is a trifle early and has to be more in the nature of first impressions rather than a deeply considered final view. I am coming at this as a seasoned modeller in various materials, frequently mixing plastic with wood and metal (usually brass or nickel silver). I know the possible advantages and drawbacks of various materials and have frequently dispensed with smaller plastic parts, however finely moulded, in favour of more appropriate materials for the job (which can give a more robust finish and even better appearance).

From this viewpoint I do have some very clear first impressions.

NEGATIVES

1 The paint colour coding is far from quick and easy to follow. First one matches up the part with the drawing in the instructions, note the alpha identity from the drawing, then look up what colour that alpha coding represents in a different part of the instructions. Then if that were not enough, because of the wide range of shades in the Revell paints, just to be sure, you need to look up the number of that shade, not all of which are given (and those that are given appear only on the box, a listing which is incomplete). I find this very tedious. I feel that Revell might have given indications of relative volumes of paint needed. Having equipped myself with each listed colour I am on the point of running out of one and have not touched (yet) several others).

2 The colour for the deck timbers is shown ambiguously, with the instructions seeming to imply that they should be a steel colour, which I’m sure is wrong.

3 The deck mouldings have the seams between the wood planks raised. rather than incised, a major and very obvious error. I am currently stopped at this point, trying to work the most practical solution. (Shave the raised areas down and scribe new plankwork or construct new decks in thin ply using the mouldings as templates?? ) (Etched versions of the decks exist but the cost of going for such items escalates rapidly).

4 The many stanchions to support various railings are moulded in plastic and are so fine that I do not believe that they will be up to the job. I’m exploring the availability of alternative metal versions (which exist both as mouldings and etchings, and think I will use one or other.

5 The instructions suggest usage of twine (supplied) to form the railings, secured by looping around the stanchions. This will not only place the stress on the stanchions which I envisage in 4 above, but will give a poor representation. I intend using wire with metal stanchions.

6 At this scale the hull rivetting should be plainly visible, but whilst the plates are nicely outlined they are bereft of and suggestion of rivets. There are of course ways of tackling this but it could add many hours of work, even if I could establish the correct positions and spacing.

7 Just as I have reservations about the abilities of the stanchions, so do I doubt the thinner parts of masts and related items and may well fabricate metal replacements. Masts sagging under the pull of various lines will become very obvious.

8 Several crew members are provided but too many are identical to each other.

9 Whether my kit had become distorted and is unique or whether this is more general I do not know, but the two sides of the rear hull came together in too much of a point at the stern. As the deck moulding at this point proves they should meet in more of a curve. I had to force the issue with a clamp, judiciously padded, after carefully warming the plastic in hot water WITH GREAT CARE.

10 Later addition – Although the kit is supposed to offer alternative versions for either «Calendula» (British navy) or «Snowberry» (Canadian navy) and the transfers included reflect that, the moulded nameplates are for «Saucy», «Bluebell» and «Snowberry» – nothing for «Campanula»

POSITIVE

1 There is very little flash and separating the parts from the moulding sprues requires only the briefest of clean up.

2 The few parts so far worked on come nicely together (except see 9 above). I feared that the join between front and rear parts of the hull would be obvious, but was pleasantly surprised that they came together very well with a virtually invisible join which will vanish on final painting. I used some old fashioned sprung wooden clothes pegs to hold the inner and outer leaves of the plates together.

3 I have some hopes that the various lights and working gizmos will bring the model alive in a way few model kits in this medium do but cannot give any information as I have not advanced so far. As I do I hope I’ll find more positives.

This is a most impressive kit which looks the business when completed. However, I personally find the lights to be an unnecessary gimmick which unless you happen to have a comprehensive workshop are completely impractical if not impossible to fit. In many cases you are expected to drill a hole into a lamp fitting which in some cases is smaller than the actual LED that you’re trying to insert. An electric motor powers the radar scanner which if you select the cCampanula option would be completely invisible, so what’s the point? In the end I abandoned the pointless and virtually impossible lighting and settled for a well painted and very impressive kit. Parts fit well and are on the whole very clean and easy to assemble. My main grumble would be with the railing stanchions which are dreadfully fragile and difficult to locate and fix. The cotton supplied for the railings looks cheap and I made use of used bronze wound guitar strings which are a more realistic gauge and put less strain on the fragile posts. Rigging is also very difficult to achieve unless you happen to have a versatile very small scale drill. Polystyrene is notoriously difficult to drill and extremely thin drills can easily break or generate too much heat and get stuck. Would it be asking too much to provide predrilled holes to fasten rigging wires? Grumbles aside, it’s a most impressive kit and worth leaving out the silly electrics.