HMS Abercrombie Monitor

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Hello all newer person here at Britmodeler. Ive done mostly aircraft and a little bit of armor since the late 1970's. I haven't done any ships since a horrid attempt at a 1/700 Prinz Eugen in the later 1990's. That was a very bad kit and my skills weren't up to snuff for a ship. Im interested in attempting my first ship since then. And i've decided i want to keep to 1/350th. I have an interest in eventually building a relatives Hunt class Destroyer escort. Now before i outlay $ for a resin kit in the future. I want to get my skills up on a couple of practice kits. Im thinking of Trumpeter's 1/350th HMS Abercrombie Monitor. I find the ship interesting and different and this will also get me some practice at RN Distemper camouflage and colors. 

      My question is this. Has anyone here built that particular kit ? If so anything positive or negative to say about it ? Also if thats not a good choice for a first kit please suggestions are most welcome. As always I will thank you in advance.   

 

Dennis

[VMA131Marine]

In keeping with the destroyer theme, what about Trumpeter's 1/350 Tribal class:

 

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-350-trumpeter-hms-eskimo-british-tribal-class-destroyer-1941/

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-350-trumpeter-hmcs-huron-g24-canadian-tribal-class-destroyer-1944/

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-350-trumpeter-hms-zulu-british-tribal-class-destroyer-1941/

 

or their German destroyer series

 

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-350-trumpeter-german-zerstorer-z-25-destroyer-1944/

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-350-trumpeter-german-z-30-destroyer/

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-350-trumpeter-german-z-43-destroyer/

 

At under US$30 at the links I listed, they're cheap enough that you can afford to try some new things without worrying about ruining an expensive model.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

VMA131 thanks i hadn't really thought about them. As you referenced the kits w/links. Do you deal with that particular hobby shop ? Or was it random ? If you do deal with them id like to know the turnaround wth online orders ? Is customer service good ? Im asking because i do make online purchases as i only have two hobby shops and a couple of hobbytowns locally. All four hobbyshops are each an hours drive or more from me. So if you are recommending this Freetime hobbies it would be helpful. 

     The Destroyer theme idea does make sense. I will definitely look at the Tribals. The Germans may also work as eventually i would like to re-attempt the Prinz Eugen.  

Edited August 8, 2017 by Corsairfoxfouruncle
Additional

[Shar2]

If you're not too concerned about accuracy then the Trumpeter kit of HMS Abercrombie will make a nice build. Unfortunately they seem to have got the lower hull wrong and mixed up details from both Abercrombie and Roberts.

[Mick4350]

Yes the housing under the main 15 inch guns should be circular and not like the multi-faceted structure that was on the sister ship, HMS Roberts. This was a lazy way that Trumpeter could do both vessels and their poor research on these models shows here.

[Seahawk]

I'm assuming the hull errors are common to both Abercombie and Roberts but is the Roberts kit otherwise more accurate (or less inaccurate) than Abercrombie?

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Shar, Mick, & Seahawk thanks for the tips. Ultimately i will worry about accuracy when i do build the Hunt class. Right now im just wanting to see if i can even build a ship, rig it, and paint it. All in the correct pattern and colors. Ultimately this is a test. To see if i can even do a ship. And make it look like somebody other than a 10 year old slapped some glue and paint on it. 

[Shar2]

If that is the reason for building then they are both fine, but the Roberts is slghtly more accurate, although the hull is still wrong.  See my review HERE

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Thank you Shar, if i go that route i will at least go with the Roberts as she is the more accurate of the two. 

[VMA131Marine]

On ‎8‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 10:24 PM, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

VMA131 thanks i hadn't really thought about them. As you referenced the kits w/links. Do you deal with that particular hobby shop ? Or was it random ? If you do deal with them id like to know the turnaround wth online orders ? Is customer service good ? Im asking because i do make online purchases as i only have two hobby shops and a couple of hobbytowns locally. All four hobbyshops are each an hours drive or more from me. So if you are recommending this Freetime hobbies it would be helpful. 

     The Destroyer theme idea does make sense. I will definitely look at the Tribals. The Germans may also work as eventually i would like to re-attempt the Prinz Eugen.  

I've ordered from Freetime Hobbies on numerous occasions and have always found their shipping times to be very quick and reasonably priced. They have a very large selection of aftermarket items for ships, which is why I have used them. I've never had occasion to deal with their customer service.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Thanks VMA131 👍. Looks like i'll give them a try.