German Zerstorer Z-7 1942 - 1:700 Trumpeter

[Paul A H]

German Zerstorer Z-7 1942

1:700 Trumpeter

Z-7 was the third of the Type 1934A destroyers which were constructed between 1935 and 1938. Named Hermann Schoemann after the commander of a torpedo boat who was killed in action in World War I, Z-7 was laid down by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft on 15 July 1935, launched on 24 March 1936 and completed on 29 June 1937. On 2 May 1942, Z-7 engaged the badly damaged light cruiser HMS Edinburgh, which was attempting to return to Murmansk after having been struck by a number of torpedoes from U-456. Despite being fatally damaged, HMS Edinburgh's crew managed to engage the Hermann Schoemann and damaged her enough to prompt her crew to scuttle her.

The type 1934A class of destroyers displaced around 2171 metric tonnes and could make 36 knots. They were armed with five 12.7cm SK C/34 guns and four 3.7cm SK C/30 and six 2cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. They also carried eight 53.3cm torpedo tubes in power operated mounts. Twelve ships were completed but only five survived the war, all of which were transferred to Allied powers as reparations.

Trumpeter seem to have kick-started a resurgence in 1:700 waterline kits with their ever-expanding range, and a jolly good thing it is too. They recently turned their attention to German destroyers, of which Z-7 is the latest. The kit arrives packed into a top-opening box adorned with a pleasing painting of the subject. The kit is comprised of four sprues of grey plastic, the upper hull, a choice of a full lower hull or a waterline plate, a small decal sheet and two small sheets of photo etched brass. In common with other Trumpeter kits, the parts are extremely well packed. All of the sprues are individually bagged and the more delicate components are wrapped in foam for extra protection. The plastic parts are nicely moulded and surface detail is fine and sharp.

The upper deck is moulded in two parts, with the forecastle deck separate to the main deck. The rakish superstructure takes up much of the deck space, but before it can be assembled and installed, Trumpeter suggest that you put together all of the small sub-assemblies. These include the main 12.7cm guns, the twin 3.7cm mounts, the torpedo tubes, funnels, masts and various deck houses. A small smattering of photo etched parts are included for the masts, which should help to add a sense of scale realism. Details such as portholes and anchor chains are superbly fine and should look superb under a light coat of paint.

Boats and boat cranes are also included, with the latter being pleasingly fine for the scale. The 2cm guns are also very fine, and care will need to be taken to avoid damaging these small parts. These ships were notoriously top heavy, and Trumpeter have recreated the dense look and feel of the area above deck very well. The area below the waterline has not been forgotten though, and the twin propeller shafts and rudders are present and correct. If you want to complete the model in full hull configuration, a small photo etched brass stand is included too.

One marking option is provided, surprisingly enough for Hermann Schoemann as she appeared shortly before her destruction in 1942. A four-view colour diagram is provided, with colour call outs for the Mr Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol ranges.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, Trumpeter have played a big part in the resurgence of injection moulded 1:700 waterline kits. With this new range of Kriegsmarine destroyers, they have ticked off another interesting subject from World War Two. Their Queen Elizabeth class battleships should be with us soon, and I for one can't wait! Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Antoine]

Useful review, thanks a lot.