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Its been April since I put anything on Britmodeller,I have been building, just very slowly.However with Peter Halls new P.E. for HMS Tiger Revell (yes it is the old Matchbox kit)I have been busy with Tiger,with 3D parts by Bogey at Shapeways and new gun parts it was time to start this kit. Parts Revell 1/700 HMS Tiger P.E. Atlantic Models HMS Tiger for both Gun and Helicopter version. 3D parts by Bogey at Shapeways Gun Barrels by Master Display case by Trumpeter Name plate by laserlayers Junks by Rainbow

Leander Class Frigate Atlantic Models1:350 Peters HMS Cleopatra in 1:350 shown as a guide Although the Airfix 1:600 HMS Leander hasnt been re-released since 1992, there are still a few available on the internet and Im sure a fair number lurking away in the stashes of BM members. Well, nows the time to get them out of the stashes and start building them with the beautiful etched brass detail set from Atlantic Models. The set comes in a white envelope with a card insert to prevent the sheet from being damaged in the post and some very descriptive instruction sheet. The single sheet measures 146mm x 97mm and contains over eighty parts to add that much needed fine detail to the kit. Aside from a full complement of ships railings, each shaped and sized to fit their specific positions, although some will need to be bent to fit, there are also a full set of flightdeck and hanger roof netting which can be positioned folded or upright. Some scratchbuilding is still required to bring the kit up to the correct standard of weapons fit and this is particularly shown with the need to build the Corvus chaff launcher enclosures. The set includes a base and two templates for which to shape the 20thou plastic card needed to build the enclosure up. Slightly less intensive is the modification of the kits Seacat launcher which is clearly explained in the instructions and which are further detailed with the four etched Seacats and the launchers guide frames. The two 20mm Oerlikons are also provided along with the Corvus launchers. The foremast upper pole section will look great when assembled, but will be quite fiddly in this scale, what with all its antenna. The rest of the foremast is also fully detailed, with a complete array of yardarms, platforms, platform railings and aerials, whilst the funnel is also fitted out with a pair of yardarms. The set also includes the dan bouys that were always carried, along with the liferaft racks and davits for the ships boats. The main mast is also given the full treatment with a complete array of yardarms, platforms, and aerials. Talking of aerials, ok radar arrays the Type 965 bedstead array is a complicated and tricky build in 1:350, well the same can be said for this one, only more so. A nice touch is that if you want to build a Dutch Leander then the set includes the Hollandse LW-02 radar array, which, it has to be said that its a lot easier to assemble. The two SCOT domes are provided with new platforms, and depending on the type of Leander you are build the SCOT domes were replaced by whip aerials, for which you will have to fashion out of styrene sheet. To the rear of the ship, the hanger is provided with a new door and floodlighting bar. The Variable Depth Sonar, (VDS), well is fitted with three cable drums, the frames of which are included, you just provide the styrene rod, or sprue to make the drums. The VDS itself is scratchbuilt to the dimensions given in the instructions and fitted with the etched cradle, while the VDS frame with its pit head cable gear is all provided. The paravane derrick is also included and fitter to the port side of the quarterdeck. Lastly the Wasp helicopter is provided with new undercarriage legs and wheels, stabiliser, plus main and tail rotors. Conclusion This set is exactly what we have come to expect from Peter Hall of Atlantic Models. Comprehensive, detailed and very delicate, just what the Airfix kit has been crying out for to bring it bang up to date. As usual, care and patience are the order of the day when using etched brass, but itll be worth it. Very highly recommended Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of

HMS Illustrious Atlantic Models 1:350 Originally released under the White Ensign label, Peter Hall has now updated this superb set and released it under his own Atlantic Models label. The set no longer contains the backdating parts, so is only for use on the Airfix HMS Illustrious kit in her final mod state. Peter has now added parts that were missed off in the original release, allowing the modeller to make and even more accurate example of the last of the Invincibles. As with the most recently released its, the instructions for this set are contained in a PDF file on a CD, so you will need a printer if you don’t have a computer near your modelling desk. The single sheet measures 293mm x 211mm and contains over 164 individual parts. As with many etch sets, some of the plastic parts of the kit will need to be modified or removed to allow the etched parts to fit and replace the rather clunky plastic. This is particularly the case of the catwalks, which need the side plates carefully removed so that they are able to be attached to the perforated etched walkways. The first major assembly is that of the 1022 radar array. For this you need to removed the mounting base from the kit part and build the radar on to it. The whole array consists of eight parts, so is much less of a struggle than the bedstead arrays in other Atlantic sets. The completed radar is fitted to the top of the radar mast along with the surrounding platform and combined railings. The mast is completed with the addition of tow forward mounted platforms, the upper of which is fitted with the kits sensor dome. The forward and aft floodlight gantries are then built up and fitted into position along with the forward and aft superstructure railings. The searchlight, signal lamp and lookout platforms are then folded to shape and fitted to the top of the bridge roof, again with the appropriate railings. Under the flyco position, two traffic light gantries are assembled and fitted. The foremast is fitted out with four new yardarms, their ladder supports, ensign gaff, top antenna and another unidentified antenna. Meanwhile the ships crane is fitted with four new pulley assemblies complete with cables, whilst just aft of the crane a lifering stowage, complete with ring is attached to the deck edge. The main mast is given a comprehensive rebuild with five new platforms with appropriate supports and inclined ladders, new 996 radar face, platform, railings and mechanism, new TACAN aerial, two wire antenna spreaders, and finally the vertical approach light bar. The fore and aft funnels are also provided with new yardarms, ESM sensors, funnel caps, railings, front and rear facings, complete with relief detail plus separate watertight doors, and whip antenna bases, along with a choice of ships badges which are fitted to the fore funnel. There are a new set of antenna and railings for both the aft sensor platform and the mizzen mast, whilst the 20mm cannon mounts are given new netting, and railings. There are also new grilles for the ships sides. The approach light mounting is provided with a new platform and the satcom assemblies, new dishes, which need to be carefully rolled to shape and attached to the antenna back plate. All the liferafts are given new racks, of three different styles, whilst the ships boats are also given a detail makeover with the correct style of blocks for the davits, handrails, propshafts, props, stern rail and rudder for the motor boat, plus steering wheel, stern structure and launching cage for the RHIB. Each of the Goalkeeper cannons are given replacement gun cages, platform netting and railings. The most complex task, as mentioned above, is the replacement of all the flightdeck catwalks with perforated etched parts, to which the various kit structures need to be added. The catwalks are provided with a full set of angled support brackets, along with additional details such as the refueling and fire point assemblies, plus the cable and hose reel assemblies, which require a short length of styrene rod to be provided by the modeller for the centrally mounted drum. The instructions clearly show where to fit the various lengths of railing that are required for the ships starboard side of the flightdeck, and all the various hull openings. They also show where all the side netting is positioned, around the ship and the ski ramp. Airwing To compliment the ships details, Atlantic models have also released a new set to detail the airwing. The single146mm x 96mm sheet contains new rotors, folded and spread, which are quite complex assemblies for the Merlins, whilst the Sea King rotors are much simpler. Each helicopter also receives smaller details, such as the rear strake on the Merlins, intake shroud, sponson supports plus side and crew doors for the Sea Kings. Both the Sea Harrier FA2s and Harrier GR-7s are provided with new flaps, outriggers, heat shields, pylons access ladders and in-flight refuelling probe for the FA2s and LIDS strakes for the GR-7s. The fins are provided for Sidewinder missiles and the instructions show how to make the missiles body, which will be a challenge in this scale. The set also includes a selection of ground equipment, including the missile support stands, torpedo trolleys, forklift trucks, towbars, general use trolley, fluid replenishment trolley and hydraulic supply rig. Conclusion I’m really pleased that Peter at Atlantic Models has re-released this set, especially as he’s gone to the trouble to update it, adding parts that weren’t in the original WEM set. If you want to build the Airfix kit as it is from the box, you really need this set as it provides everything you need to build a museum quality model. The addition of the airwing set is the icing on the cake and although very fiddly will give the aircraft and helicopters a more scale look. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of

HMS Cleopatra Atlantic Models 1:350 The Leander class was the UKs most successful frigate design. This design combined operational flexibility with excellent sea-keeping in affordable ships that were adaptable to new requirements. Leander s were very active with Royal Navy aircraft carrier task forces and in other operations. This section covers the RN ships as built. A separate section covers these ships as modernized. In the late 1950s the naval construction directorate added air conditioning and a helicopter facility to a Rothesay (Type 12) design intended for New Zealand. Features brought forward from the Type 12 design included the hull shape, the engineering plant, and part of the armament. Elimination of deck-mounted tubes for the cancelled Mk 20E heavy torpedo permitted a larger superstructure while still leaving paths on deck for underway replenishment. In a new seawater-compensating fuel system, fuel tanks once emptied of black oil could be refilled with seawater to maintain proper trim. This eliminated the Type 12's separate water-ballast trim tanks and permitted the relocation of heavy equipment in their stead low in the ship. Both diesel electrical generators were relocated from the forecastle to a lower location forward of the boiler room. Their exhaust vented through ducts in the foremast, which was stepped further forward than in the Type 12. With the resulting increased stability margin and the additional internal space, the designers added a large operations center, the helicopter facility, variable-depth sonar (VDS), long-range air-search radar, more-capable communications, a centralized galley, active stabilizer fins, and provision for Sea Cat missiles for close-range air defence. The Admiralty, greatly liking this design, ordered conversion to it of an authorized Type 61 frigate and of three Type 12 frigates on the building ways. These became the first four Leanders. The Leander class never had a frigate type number, in particular not Type 12M. Type-numbering of new designs was functionally irrelevant after the RN abandoned the mobilization strategy in 1954. During the 10-year construction program the installed armament varied.. The Canadian-developed combination of variable-depth sonar and a ship-based helicopter was intended to equalize the fight against fast submarines. With VDS, the helicopter, and the improved operations room, Leanders could engage submarines at longer range, which improved the probability for detecting submarines and gave more time to engage. Seven of the first 10 ships mounted imported Canadian SQS-504 VDS as Sonar Type 199 and four later ships mounted British-built licensed copies. Other ships carried the hoisting gear for the VDS but never received transducers. The first ten ships retained the Y-100 steam propulsion plant of the Type 12 and Type 14 frigates. The next six, Phoebe through Danae, had a Y-136 improved propulsion plant. The final ten ships mounted the same armament as the preceding ships but featured a Y-160 automated propulsion plant and a wider hull for modernization. The RN built 26 Leanders and other navies built 18. This total of 44 set the post-1945 record for construction to one design among frigates and larger warships outside the United States and Russia. Elaborate finish was arguably wasteful but perhaps good appearance contributed to foreign naval orders for Leanders. Exclusive of weapons, in the mid-1960s construction cost about the same per ton as for the contemporary USN Knox-class (DE/FF 1052) frigates. The Leander program reportedly bolstered American political enthusiasm in the 1960s and 1970s for frigates, although the U.S. Navy designs had no technical connection with the British ships. Newer warships derived from the Leander design have included HMS Bristol, the RN Type 22 frigates, and the Indian Godaviri and Bramhaputra classes. HMS Cleopatra, was the last ship of the first batch of the Leander class and was laid down at HM Dockyard, Devonport on 19th June 1963. She was launched on 25th March 1964 and commissioned into service on 4th January 1966. Cleo as she became known joined the 2nd Destroyer Squadron of the Far East Fleet to where she was deployed for the first part of her career. This also involved taking station off the coast of Mozambique on the famous Beira patrol, which was designed to prevent oil from reaching the landlocked Rhodesia, who had unilaterally declared independence. During 1969, HMS Cleopatra was one of the 5 ships escorting HMAS Melbourne when the Melbourne was involved in the catastrophic collision with the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans and became involved in the subsequent rescue operation. Early 1972 saw Cleo on escort duties for Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philips tour of South East Asia, then in 1973 she was assigned to the North Atlantic area to protect British trawlers from the Icelandic gun boats during the second Cod War. HMS Cleopatra then began her mid life refit, during which she had her twin 4.5 Mk6 Turret removed and replaced with a bank of four Exocet missile box launchers. She and HMS Penelope were the only Batch 1 Leanders to have this modification, as the other eight were converted for Ikara. In 1982 saw Cleo in refit again having the large Towed Array Sensor equipment fitted to the stern and the superstructure modified with the larger hangar to accommodate the Lynx helicopter that was replacing the Wasp on all small ships. The mortar well was plated over to make a larger flight deck for Lynx operations. She continued to carry out her duties through the 1980s though she was starting to show her age by the early 90s. On January 31st 1992 HMS Cleopatra was decommissioned and sold for scrap the following year. The Model After the magnificent release of HMS Glamorgan Peter Hall has now released what is probably one of the most sought after classes in 1:350, the Leander Class frigate HMS Cleopatra. The model comes in the standard sturdy cardboard box with a picture of HMS Cleopatra on the top. On opening the modeller is confronted with a sea of polystyrene chips. Carefully emptying the box will reveal two ziplock bags, one with the metal parts in and the other with the resin parts. Well wrapped in bubblewrap is the main superstructure, and hull, which is in two parts, split at the waterline so that either a full hull or waterline model can be built. At the bottom of the box are the etched brass sheet, which is quite large considering the size of the kit, a CD containing the instructions and the decal sheet. As we have come to expect from peters work, both with Atlantic models and the greatly missed White Ensign Models the casting of the resin hull is superb with no sign of even a pinhole bubble. The amount of detail on the upper hull has to seen to be believed and must have taken the moulding to the edge of what is possible or casting defect. There are some small moulding pips, all on the join of the two hull parts, so easily removed without damaging any of the detail, and a quick test fitting showed that the fit between upper and lower hull is pretty darn good, considering the problems that different shrink rates can cause. That said you will probably need to do a little bit of fettling to get a perfect fit and to remove the join line. The lower hull is moulded with the propeller shaft fairings moulded into the stern, and also a pair of very fine strakes either side pluse what look like two sonar domes, one a lot shallower than the other. The main forward superstructure is also beautifully moulded with some very fine details and includes pretty much all of the fixtures in place. The resin fittings provided include the funnel, hanger roof, with director mount, twin 4.5 turret, foremast, mainmast, chaff launcher enclosures, 27 Whaler, 25 Cheverton motor boat, Gemini inflatable, punt, although in the review example two have been provided, mortar mounting base, Limbo mortar, forward director mounting and a lovely looking Wasp helicopter fuselage http://www.britmodeller.com/reviews/atlanticmodels/cleopatra/bridgejpg The metal parts look pretty good and are well moulded, but theres still the problem of having quite a bit of flash. This shouldnt put the modeller off as they are easy to clean up and do really look the part. The metal parts provided are the two 4.5 gun barrels, Corvus chaff launchers, GWS22 Directors, aft director tub, Seacat launcher, 993 radar array, 978 radar array, VDS body, Liferaft canisters, a choice of either early or late foretop mast array, anchors, propeller shaft A frame supports, searchlights, rudders, Stabiliser fins, and aft deck windlass. Etch Sheet The large single sheet of relief etched brass is packed full of the finer details that go to make these models a delight to view when built. As well as a full ship set of railings, the sheet contains items such as the liferaft canister shelves and racks, the stays, plates, panel and screen for the 965 bedstead radar array, boat davit support frame and upper section, single 20mm Oerlikon mountings, Dan buoy, glidepath indicator light, bridge roof davit, chaff launcher flare guns, propeller blades, early and late mast top arrays, main mast gaff, anchors, should you not want to use the resin ones, prop guard buffers, sword and shield antenna, RAS gantries, Seacat missiles and launch rails, ships nameplates, foremast and main mast yards, platforms, foremast DF antenna, fuel can stowage racks, vertical ladder stock, anchor chain stock. The prominent Variable Depth Sonar parts include the body side fins, gantry pit head wheel, pit head stays, side arm, body cradle, and centre bracing, whilst the Wasp helicopter is fitted out with undercarriage parts, main and tail rotor blades, main rotor control linkages, and flotation device pods. Decals The decal sheet is very nicely printed, and its a pleasure to see a kit like this come with decals. Apart from the obligatory Union Flag and White Ensign, the sheet includes enough numbers to produce any of the class pennant numbers for both sides and stern. Also included are each of the ships names for the port and starboard quarter, their code letters for the flightdeck plus the other flightdeck markings which include two types of landing circle and finally the depth markings for the ships sides. The Wasp helicopter is also provided with decals, and these include the roundels, Royal Navy titles, and the helicopters specific number, which changed when changing ship and for which there is a very useful list of what serials went with what ship. You will need a good pair of magnifying glasses to read which number is which though. Conclusion It has been a long time coming, but at last we have a Leander class frigate in our midst, and what a blinder it is too. Peter is a one man band, but his craftsmanship and attention to detail on these cold war classics is second to none. Of course it does help a little that he served his time in the RN/FAA when these ships were in service so hes got no excuse to get things wrong, (I say this as an ex-FAA man myself, although with a memory thats obviously fading quicker than his). These arent throw together kits, but they are well designed and with a good dose of patience and quite a bit of care they shouldnt cause too much trouble for anyone of intermediate skills and above. What you will get at the end of a rewarding build is a super model of a wonderful ship. The idea of having the instructions on CD is good as it does mean that you can blow them up to make them easier to read although if you need to, you can get a paper version on request. Peter is already working on modifications for the Ikara fit and may even release another of the Exocet and Seawolf fits, so theres more Leanders to look forward to, I cant wait. Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of

HMS Glamorgan Atlantic Models 1:350 HMS Glamorgan was one of eight ships of the County Class Guided Missile Destroyers that were designed for the Royal Navy around the Sea-Slug missile system. Laid down in September 1962 at Vickers- Armstrong’s shipyards on the Tyne, she was launched two years later on 9th July 1964, by Lady Brecon. Commissioning day was Friday 14th of October 1966 at Tyneside, when she was accepted in to the Royal Navy. A lengthy period of trials followed by work ups to get all the ships systems working and the ships company settled in and familiar with their new surroundings, after the long period in temporary accommodation whilst the building was in progress. Finally in May 1967 HMS Glamorgan was given her first foreign visit to Denmark and Holland. Also in May 1967 her first helicopter flight was formed at RNAS Portland with a Westland Wessex HAS1 anti-submarine helicopter which worked up and joined the ship in April 1968 for her first deployment to the Far East via the Caribbean, USA and the West Coast of Canada after transiting the Panama Canal. From there she transited the Pacific Ocean calling in at Hawaii and on to Singapore, The Philippines and Australia before starting the homeward leg across the Indian Ocean to South Africa. It was then back up the Atlantic Ocean to Barbados and Puerto Rico before arriving back home to complete the circumnavigation of the globe in 355 days. In the period between 1977 and 1979 Glamorgan had a major refit during which time B turret was removed and a quadruple bank of Exocet missile launchers were added. She also had her middle pair of boats removed and a triple STWS torpedo launcher fitted to the main deck on each side in their place. A large platform was added to the front of the main mast that spanned across the entire width of the ship to which was added a pair of SCOT radomes for long range communications. In 1982 HMS Glamorgan became well known in the media for her contribution to the Falklands campaign, during which time she survived a direct hit from an Exocet missile. Sadly 14 of her crew were killed and many more injured, but the ship herself was temporarily repaired and got back home after the Argentine surrender. HMS Glamorgan spent the rest of 1982 in refit, but was back at sea again in early 1983. Her last deployment was off the coast of Lebanon assisting peacekeeping forces there in 1984. In 1986 she was de-commissioned and sold to the Chilean Navy and renamed as the Almirante Latorre. She served with the Chilean Navy until 1998 when she was finally de-commissioned and laid up. On 11th April 1995 she sank in the South Pacific whilst being towed to the breakers. The Model The model comes in a sturdy and quite large cardboard box with a picture of HMS Glamorgan on the top. You don’t realise how big the Glamorgan as even in 1:350 she’s a sizable ship. As is the way with Atlantic models kits, on opening the box the modeller is confronted with a load of polystyrene chips. On top of the poly chips is an envelope with the etch sheet inside. Carefully emptying the box will reveal three ziplock bags, one with the metal parts in and the other two with the resin parts. Well wrapped in bubblewrap is the gorgeously moulded main hull, which is in two parts, split at the waterline so that either a full hull or waterline model can be built. There tow other parts wrapped in bubblewrap, these are the main parts for the fore and aft superstructures. At the bottom of the box are the instructions and a small decal sheet. The casting of the very large hull parts does have to be seen to be believed. There is not one sign of any flash, pin holes or even any sight of where a casting block was situated. It’s just silky smooth creamy resin and the only thing it needs is a good wash to remove any release agent. Peter Hall has a real talent for creating the masters for these ships. The sheer from the bow to amidships is nigh on perfect, and what deck furniture is pre moulded is wonderfully fine and well moulded. Fortunately on this ship there isn’t too much deck equipment which will make painting so much easier. The fore and aft superstructure sections are just as well moulded, although they do have some casting block debris and casting pips on the underside that will need to be removed to allow a snug fit to the deck. The detail is as good as the rest of the ship with the small exception of the windows for the bridge and those beneath the bridge which could have been a little more distinct to aid painting. Unlike the HMS Leopard/Puma kits there are no decals for these windows. The aft superstructure incorporates the ships hanger and has full internal bracing and other details pre-moulded. This is a very nice touch as the hanger on these ships was something of an oddity and exclusive to the class. The other resin parts are also really well moulded, although some do have small amounts of flash that will need to be cleaned up. The parts included in the first bag are the fore and aft funnels, gun direction platform, foremast and mainmast, and the Exocet missile mounting. There are also the Exocet blast shields, Sea Cat Director platforms The Wessex helicopter is another great piece of master making. Depicting a Wessex HAS 3 it is obvious by the instructions that this was originally going to be produced in white metal. Fortunately the change to resin has produced a much neater model. The only area some purists may find fault is the undercarriage where the main struts are solid, but in this scale it is forgivable. The second ziplock bag of resin includes the 4.5” turret, scot platform, Type 909 radar dish yolk, Type 909 radar dish, sonar dome, and 27” Whaler. The rest of the resin parts seemed also to have been made in white metal but were changed instead to resin, and these include the Fairey Huntress power boat, two Cheverton motor boats, the two SCOT radomes and the four Exocet missile box launcher. The metal parts also very well moulded, but there is quite a bit more flash than seen on the resin parts. A lot of the parts will also need to be removed from their casting blocks but there’s nothing to taxing about that and should be cleaned up pretty easily and quickly. The metal parts include the two propellers, two lengths of brass rod for the propeller shafts, two propeller shaft A frames, two rudders, eight stabiliser fins, two anchors, two 4.5” guns, SCOT comms deckhouse, and two Type 903 Director domes. In addition to that lot there is the Sea Slug Missile launcher yoke, Type 992 radar antenna, Type 1006 radar antenna, three Mk4 Fire Control Directors, two Sea Cat launchers, a deck winch, eighteen liferafts, two ECM arrays for the mainmast, two triple STWS torpedo launchers and two Corvus Decoy launchers. Etch The list of what the two large etched sheets contains would be rather long as you see in the pictures below. Now this kit is quite an intensive build when it comes to the etched parts. Get down to the pharmacist for some extra large bottles of patience and care, as you will need them. One of the most distinctive features of these ships was the huge Sea Slug missile launcher on the quarterdeck. This massive piece of girder work, with the exception of the mounting yoke is entirely made of etched brass. The launcher is a kit within a kit and due the very nature of the real item it is surprisingly complex. The other complex etched part is the equally massive Type 965 AKE-2 double bedstead radar that is sited at the top of the mainmast. This assembly features all the upper and lower antenna screens, front and rear faceplates, then tied all together with tie bars, lower mounting counter frames and the optional mounting turntable. Time taken with these two items will reap benefits in how the completed model will look as they are so distinctive. Decals True to his word Peter has continued to supply decals for his kits. This small sheet provides not only the pennant numbers for four ships, but the flightdeck markings and identification letters. The names of every ship in the class are also provided, but the modeller will have to make up the numbers of some of the class by chopping and changing the decals provided for the pennant numbers. The Wessex gets national markings and identification letters for each ships flight helicopter. There are also depth markings for the ships hull, a large and small White Ensign depending on whether the model is depicted in harbour or at sea, and a large Union Jack. Conclusion A model of the County class destroyers has been on the wishlist of many maritime modellers for many years. It is really pleasing to at last see one released which captures the wholes shape and essence of these great and good looking ships. The craftsmanship of the masters and the beautiful moulding of the resin, not to mention the large and well executed etched sheets will surely go toward making the model truly outstanding. As mentioned above, plenty of time, care and patience will be needed, and it certainly is a kit for perhaps the more experienced modeller. But at long last we can say that we have a County in our collection. Very highly recommended Review sample from my own collection

HMS Hero Detail Set 1/500 Atlantic Models Even though a model has been on the market for some considerable time, there is still a need for some to superdetail it. This is particularly so for the Frog/Novo 1/500 HMS Hero, which whilst it hasn’t been in production for some considerable time, I’d imagine there are a few snuck away in stashes across the globe. Well, now’s the time to dig them out and get building as Peter Hall has released this etched brass sheet of detail parts to bring it bang up to date with some super fine detail. Detail set ATEM 17: As stated above this detail set comes on a single sheet of etched brass that is somewhat sturdier than the miscellaneous sets reviewed here, yet still very fine and foldable. Relief etching has been used where necessary which helps give some depth to the parts. Along with the standard fittings, such as railings, vertical ladders, inclined ladders, and anchor chain, there are loads of more specific items on the sheet. Each gun turret receives a complete replacement shield plus B and X turrets can be fitted with the flare rocket rails. New quad machine gun mounts are included as are new depth charge throwers, which will require a piece of 20thou rod to be used to represent the depth charge. The AA gun platform has new supports for the side wings and the rear section and there is a replacement depth charge rack and TSDS stern gantry for the quarterdeck. Additional details for around the depth charge racks are the loading davits and TSDS winches. Also included are a new 4” AA gun and platform, Type 286 radar array, Type 285 Yagi array, bridge rangefinder platform, bridge wing support structures, semaphore arms, bridge windscreen and optional bridge canopy. The foremast receives new yard arms, whilst optional main masts are provided with additional supports and, in the case of the early fitment, a new HF/DF array. Not only do you get diagrams to show where parts are placed, but a very useful written narrative, showing how other items are scratchbuilt for the etched parts to be fitted to. The ships boats are fitted with a complete set of oars, thwarts/gunwales, and a new rudder, these can then be attached to the new davits which include downhauls. Finally there is a new accomodation ladder for those modellers that would like to build the ship in a diorama setting. Conclusion This is yet another brilliant and very useful sheet of etched brass. It doesn’t appear to be overly complex so should be good for a beginner to etch work, with the plus side of bringing an old model up to date with the sort of detail it deserves. Highly recommended Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of

Miscellaneous items 1/700 Atlantic Models Sometimes, when building a model there are items that you’d love to add that extra bit of detail without having to go to the expense of buying a full set for which you’d only use a few parts. Well Peter Hall at Atlantic Models has thought of that, and released these two sets of etched brass just for those occasions. Both sheets are quite small due mainly to the scale, but they provide enough parts to detail a whole ship. Ratlines ATEM 06: This single sheet set gives the modeller exactly what it says on the tin, a set of sixteen thin brass ratlines to detail your latest windjammer creation. There are six paired sizes provided with two sizes having four pairs so you should be able to have the correct length for the different sections of the masts. The packet actually states they can be used for both 1:600 and 1:700 scales which makes them even more useful. Railings ATEM 08: Another single sheet set, but this one contains some incredibly fine railings for use with pre-dreadnought era ships. There are three styles provided with between six and seven lengths per style. More than enough to fit out a medium sized model. Conclusion These are a great pair of very useful sets for the 1/700 scale modeller. As usual they have been beautifully designed and etched although the brass used is very thin, so care will need to be taken when bending and fitting. Highly recommended Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of

Finally got round to starting this after illness and work kept getting in the way. All parts have been cleaned in soapy water, with the metal and resin parts cleaned of any flash and injection points.

Although I had intended to post pictures of the finished build, I thought it best if I waited for the base to arrive. So here she is, after a very nice, fun build.

HMS Leopard 1:350 The Type 41 or Leopard class were a class of anti-aircraft defence frigates built for the Royal Navy (4 ships) and Indian Navy (3 ships) in the 1950s. These ships were designed to provide anti-aircraft escorts to convoys; as a result they were not built for fleet speeds and made only 24 knots (44 km/h). They shared a common hull and machinery with the Type 61 or Salisbury class aircraft direction vessels. HMS Jaguar and HMS Lynx were sold to the Bangladesh Navy in 1978 and 1982 respectively, and were still in service in 2007. They were armed with two twin 4.5" guns in Mk6 turrets, one twin 40mm STAAG mount and one squid three barreled anti-submarine mortar system. The Leopard class was also fitted with an early type of hydraulic stabiliser system consisting of two fins that could be extended outside of the main hull to port and starboard, from a compartment between the two engine rooms. Gyro controlled with a relatively simple control system, they proved very effective in use. During testing every 3 months at sea, the ship could be easily driven into a 20°+ roll from the manual control on the bridge. Prior warning had to be given to allow stowage of loose items over the ship's tannoy system before testing was carried out. Slight reduction in top speed was also noticed when in use. HMS Leopard was built at Portsmouth dockyard; she was launched on 23 May 1955 and commissioned on 30 September 1958. The ship, first commanded by Commander R.G. Gaunt, was to serve in the South Atlantic and South America upon commission. In 1961, HMS Leopard sailed for the island of Tristan da Cunha after a volcanic eruption. Her crew assisted in the relief effort, as well as the recovery of personal belongings left behind by the island's inhabitants. In 1963, HMS Leopard suffered serious damage when she collided with the South African minesweeper Pietermaritzburg during exercises off Cape Point. In 1968, she was diverted to Bermuda in response to civil unrest. During Britain's fishing dispute with Iceland in 1973, Leopard was accused by Iceland of threatening to fire on the patrol ship Ægir. The British government refuted the claims, accusing the Icelandic ship of trying to cut the trawling wires of the German fishing vessels Teutonia and Dusseldorf, and of firing several shots. The government further stated that HMS Leopard had only warned the Ægir that she would fire back if more shots were fired.HMS Leopard provided further support for British trawlers during another fishing dispute with Iceland in 1975. She was decommissioned in 1975 and left Portsmouth for scrapping in Spain in 1977. The Model The model comes in a sturdy cardboard box with a picture of HMS Leopard on the top and its specification on the front. On opening the modeller is confronted with a load of polystyrene chips. On top of the poly chips is an envelope with the etch sheet inside. Carefully emptying the box will reveal to ziplock bags, one with the metal parts in and the other with the resin parts. Well wrapped in bubblewrap is the main hull, which is in two parts, split ate the waterline so that either a full hull or waterline model can be built. At the bottom of the box are the instructions and a small, but very welcome decal sheet. The casting of the resin hull is nothing short of exceptional with no sign of even a pinhole bubble. The amount of detail on the upper hull has to seen to be believed and must have taken the moulding to the edge of what is possible. There are some small moulding pips, all on the join of the two hull parts, so easily removed without damaging any of the detail, and there were the smallest bits of flash on the front of the bridge, again easily removed with a swipe of emery cloth. The lower hull not only has the propeller shaft fairings moulded in to the stern, but also some very fine strakes and the two stabiliser fins in their recessed housings. The rest of the resin parts consisting of the two Mk6 turrets, their associated director, director platform, aft fire control director, STAAG mounting, ventilator junction box, bridge, 25' fast motor boat and 27' whaler, are equally well moulded with crisp details throughout. The metal parts also very well moulded, the majority of which are fixed to moulding stubs. There is quite a bit more flash, as seen in the photo below. The flash shouldn't cause any problem experienced enough to take on a kit such as this. The metal parts provided are the fore and aft diesel exhausts, squid mounting and barrels, 4 x 4.5" barrels, STAAG 40mm barrels, Type 293 radar antenna, rangefinder sight bars, 6 x stack vents, rudder, ventilator exhaust, deck winch, 3x small and 3 x large mushroom vents and finally 2 x propeller hubs and A frames. Etch Sheet The single etch sheet contains all the finer detail parts. These include both the fore and main lattice masts plus their associated platforms, yardarms, auxiliary steering platform and supports, ships boat davits, life raft racks, 974 and 960 radar antenna, masts and dipoles, RAS gantry, cable reels, propellers, Mast squadron numbers, jack and ensign staffs, inclined and vertical ladders, anchors, squid mounting hand wheel and loading trolley rails, a complete set of railings, each designed to fit into their respective positions, and ships nameplates for all four ships of the class. Decals This is the first kit of this type that we've had to review to have decals included which is a very welcome addition. The decals appear very nicely printed, in good register and quite opaque. The do seem to be rather matt and Peter Hall has told me that they are rather thin, so will have to be applied direct from the backing sheet. Included on the sheet are the ships numbers for both sides and stern for HMS Leopard and HMS Lynx, bridge windows, depth markings, nameplates for the two ships, standard White Ensign, Union Jack and smaller battle ensign complete the sheet. Conclusion Peter Hall is renowned for designing kits and etch parts for White Ensign Models. With Atlantic Models he is able to bring this expertise to models of ships that White Ensign will probably not have released. Maritime modellers have long regretted that Royal Navy ships of the 1950's and 60's seem to have been ignored, yet with this release that's no longer true. The model is a stunning example of the resin kit designers art, long may Atlantic continue releasing ships of this era. If you're interested in Royal Naval frigates, or their ships in general and are of intermediate or an experienced modeller, then get this one, you won't regret it. This will be part of a build review shortly. Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of