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HMS Suffolk Detail Set Atlantic Models 1:600 (ATEM60015) HMS Suffolk was a Royal Navy County Class Heavy Cruiser. Laid down in 1926 and commissioned in 1928. Originally serving on the China Station she returned home in time for WWII where she served and was damaged during the Norwegian campaign. After repairs she was engaged in the fight against the Bismarck. after firing on the Bismarck she was able to track her on radar to vector in additional units, After the loos of the Hood and damage to the Prince of Wales Suffolk continued to track the Bismarck until her fuel situation dictated she break off. Following this she served with the home fleet until 1942. A refit followed where she lost X Turret to gain much needed AA Armament. After this she was sent to the Eastern Fleet, operating in the Indian Ocean until the end of the war. Following the surrender of Japan she was used to transport military and civilian personnel from Australia, and the Far East, back to the UK. On her return Suffolk underwent repairs at Chatham Dockyard between November 1945 and January 1946. On completion she sailed to Australia again, returning in April 1946. Her final voyage was to Singapore arriving there in May, and returning in July 1946. later that year she was placed in unmaintained reserve until 1948. With the post-war economic difficulties of Britain hitting hard the reserve fleet was quickly sold off, and Suffolk was decommissioned in March 1948. and scrapped later the same year. The Set This slightly smaller thanA5 sheet of PE from Atlantic Models gives a fairly comprehensive upgrade set for her wartime fit before the removal of X Turrett. It is designed for the Airfix kit, this has been re-released over the years and some of the details are starting to become a bit soft. One of the main features is a complete set of railings for the ship. After that there are two 8 barrelled and two quad 50 Cal guns for for AA defence. For the antennas & radars you get a 285 AA Radar Yagi antenna, a 279 radar antenna assembly, and a 284 gunnery radar unit to fit to the director. There are new access doors for the turrets, and new foot ropes for the main fore mast. Starting at the bow there are new ships anchors, then working our way back aft new supports for the bridge deck, and a new shelter deck house assembly below this. There are new deck fittings and railings for the shelter deck and new Pom Pom bulwarks. There are new funnel grills and siren platforms, toped of with a new funnel cap. New decks are provided for the ships boats. There are new lens caps for the searchlights, new foot ropes for the main mast, a new accommodation ladder and rear depth charge rails. New hatches and doors are provided. ne of the main areas to be addressed with this set is the ships aircraft. As well as parts for the Walrus itself, there is a new aircraft crane assembly, a new catapult, and new parts for the aircraft hanger including the doors, deck railings and additional fittings. Conclusion Its good to see set being produced for older kits which can still hold their own and can benefit from the extra detail. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of