Mikr Mir CSS H.L. Hunley. 1:35

[Shar2]

CSS H.L. Hunley

Mikr Mir 1:35

 

The H. L. Hunley was a submarine of the Confederate States of America that played a small part in the American Civil War. The Hunley demonstrated the advantages and the dangers of undersea warfare. She was the first combat submarine to sink a warship, although the Hunley was not completely submerged and, following her successful attack, was lost along with her crew before she could return to base. The Confederacy lost 21 crewmen in three sinkings of the Hunley during her short career. She was named for her inventor, Horace Lawson Hunley, shortly after she was taken into government service under the control of the Confederate States Army at Charleston, South Carolina.

 

The Hunley, nearly 40 feet (12 m) long, was built at Mobile, Alabama, and launched in July 1863. She was then shipped by rail on August 12, 1863, to Charleston, South Carolina. The Hunley (then called Fish Boat) sank on August 29, 1863, during a test run, killing five members of her crew. She sank again on October 15, 1863, killing all eight of her second crew, including Horace Hunley himself, who was aboard at the time, even though he was not a member of the Confederate military. Both times the Hunley was raised and returned to service.

 

On February 17, 1864, The Hunley attacked and sank the 1240-short ton (1124 metric tons) screw sloop USS Housatonic, which had been on Union blockade-duty in Charleston's outer harbour. Soon afterwards, the Hunley sank, killing all eight of her third crew. This time, the ship was lost. Finally located in 1995 by the NUMA dive team led by the author Clive Cussler, the wreck of the Hunley was raised in 2000 and is on display in North Charleston, South Carolina, at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center on the Cooper River. Examination, in 2012, of recovered Hunley artefacts suggests that the submarine was as close as 20 feet to her target, the Housatonic, when her deployed torpedo exploded, which eventually caused the sub's own loss.

 

The Model

Like the USS Daniel Webster kit, this one has been out for a while now, but we have only just received to for review, so please bear with us. The kit comes in the standard Mikr Mir style box, inside of which there are two hull halves,  and one sprue of light grey styrene, one sprue of clear styrene, a sheet of etched brass and a stand.

 

 

Before assembly can start there are quite a few holes that need to be opened up on both halves of the hull. These holes are filled with clear portholes before the hull halves are joined together. The clear entrance hatches are fitted, one to each of the small towers, followed by the two triangular panels which are fitted in front of each tower. Behind the forward tower there is a box like structure with two tubes attached and at the very bow, near the keel the lower torpedo arm attachment point is fitted. The two hatches are fitted with separate hinges which require a length of stretched sprue to act as the hinge rod.

 

 

 

There is a large dive vane attached to either side of the hull adjacent to the foreward tower, whilst a smaller vane is fitted just forward of the larger vane. Right aft, the propeller is attached, followed by the protective ring and rudder, along with their associated support and control rods.  Moving forward the long arms of the “torpedo” carrying structure are attached, followed by the four piece “torpedo” and, lastly, the spike that attached the “torpedo” to the targets hull.

 

 

Conclusion

It’s about time a decent sized model of this important craft has been released. Being the first to have sunk an enemy warship it is surprising that it has taken so long, but to have it in 1:35 scale is great, as it’s only a small vessel. The moulding on the kit is nicely done especially for a limited run kit and will make an interesting model in anyone's collection.

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

[whitestar12chris]

Great review Dave, cottage industries produce a 1/32 resin kit with full interior but the Mikromir one is a lot cheaper as the former is an American production and the postage is prohibitive.

 

All the best Chris