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Woban Class District Harbor Tug 1:700 Alliance Modelworks The Woban Class of harbour tugs were used throughout the United States as from the late 1930s until the early 1970s. They were compact vessels, measuring out at 100 feet long, 25 feet across the beam and displacing just 218 tonnes. Woban class tugs were present at Pearl Harbour during the Japanese attack in 1941. The kit comes in a very small plastic box with a black and white photograph of a Woban Class vessel on the front. The model is very well protected, with each part being taped inside a piece of foam into which spaces for the parts have been cut out. Inside are ten resin parts as well as a small sheet of photo etched brass and a small decal sheet. The small instruction sheet is pretty clear and easy to follow, but not all of the photo etch parts are covered in terms of placement. The model is quite cleverly designed, with the hull split longitudinally so that the kit can be finished as either a waterline or full hull model. The castings are nicely done, although there are a few small bubbles here and there. Once youve assembled the hull and bridge/deck house, most of the remaining details are catered for by the photo etched parts. Small details provided on the fret include ladders, doors, port holes, a wheel, cable reels, chains and railings. One clever touch is the provision of tyres to fix to the outside of the upper hull. These are made up of layers of photo etched rings, which when assembled will resemble the ribs and grooves of a tyre quite nicely. Conclusion Model like these are really handy to have around as they can be used to bring a naval diorama to life, although the option for a full hull version is welcome too. Resin kits of this type are also easy to assemble because of the low part count. Having said that, you can add as much or as little detail as you like with the comprehensive photo etch fret. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Woban Class District Tug Alliance Modelworks 1:350 The Woban Class of tugs were built in many shipyards and used throughout the US as dockyard tugs from the late 1930s till the 1970s. The length of service for these tugs makes this model very useful for those wishing to make a dockyard diorama. The kit comes in a small, but sturdy cardboard box with the contents printed on one side of the lid and a picture of the real thing on the other. On opening, the model is very well protected, each part being wrapped in bubblewrap and taped to foam inserts within zip lock bags. There is also a sheet of etched brass and a small decal sheet. The small instruction sheet, whilst simple, is quite clear and easy to follow for the most part, but, other than the rudder, they fail to indicate any parts for the full hull option. The hull of the tug is provided in two halves split longitudinally so that either a waterline or full hull model can be built. The moulded details are nicely done, from the large rubbing strakes, large bow fender, windlass to the bitts and bollards. Apart from the moulding plug, which shouldnt take much to remove and clean up, on the bottom of the parts there is now visible flash. This is equally true for all the resin parts which also include the bridge structure, two dinghies, cable reels and ventilators. The small etched sheet is pretty packed considering its size. The parts are finely etched with some beautiful detail. Parts included on the sheet are doors, doorframes, railings; lower rubbing strake outer sheaf, quarterdeck grating, portholes, fire monitors, optional cable reels, upper steering wheel and column, vertical and inclined ladders, upper deck derrick, and tyre fenders built up of multiple parts. Decals The small decal sheet provides black and white US Navy titles, plus the numbers of the particular tug being built can be made up from those provided. There are also nameplates for three tugs. Conclusion This is a great little kit of a very useful and extensively used tug. If the full hull model is to be built then the modeller will have to do some extensive research, or wing it a bit as there are no instructions on what goes where or how. Fortunately this is probably not going to be a problem as I imagine most will be built as a waterline model. Due to the fineness of the etch, care and patience will be required. Recommended for the modeller with at least a modicum of experience. Review sample courtesy of Harry at Battlefleet Models