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Johnny Horton, you don't know what you've started! I bought this set back in 2011, cost 28 Euro. It seems like only yesterday. Actually, it seems like only yesterday when I first "built" the Bismarck, circa 1978. I built it again in 1984, but I've never built any of the other kits. It's a pity Airfix never added more ships to the original "Naval History" range. Surely a KGV/PoW kit, and another of Rodney, would both have been sure-fire winners? Almost all the parts (nearly 300) seem in good condition. These kits are going to be built mostly out of the box. Some parts may have to be thinned (masts, some guns). The first task will be to cut the Bismarck hull down to size, which could take a while. Basically, I'll have to remove the base, and maybe a small bit more. I prevaricated over what to build, but I didn't want to renege on my original commitment to build something "floaty". I thought about the Airfix Belfast, but as someone else is doing that, I came back to this set. Other candidates included the Revell 1/700 Tirpitz, and even the ancient 1959 Revell HMS Victory. In the case of the latter, sanity eventually prevailed, and I put it back into storage. I also thought briefly about the Heller 1/400 KGV, and even the Trumpeter 1/700 Hood (1941), which is actually a considerably more complex and detailed kit. The Heller 1/400 Jean Bart and Richelieu were both briefly considered, but they are going to be kept for the proverbial rainy day, or more likely retirement. Ditto for the Revell (ex-Otaki) 1/350 Missouri. I'm not committed to any other Group Builds for the next few months, but I do have plenty of other "in progress" kits (and then some) that need to be completed. Between that and the fact that I rarely build ship kits nowadays, this set seemed the sensible, if somewhat conservative choice. If time allows, I may add another kit to the build.

H.M.S. Tiger 1:700 Revell Originally laid down as a Minotaur class light cruiser in 1941, HMS Tiger was not actually launched until after the war had ended in October 1945. Work on the ship was suspended in 1946, and she languished uncompleted until 1954, when work resumed according to a new design. Finally commissioned in 1959, she was fitted with advanced semi-automatic 6 inch guns and fully automatic 3 inch guns, but no light anti-aircraft armament. She had a reasonably uneventful early career, with the exception of having hosted talks between British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his Rhodesian opposite Ian Smith, following the latter’s unilateral declaration of independence in 1966. She was placed in reserve soon afterwards, before being converted to a helicopter cruiser at Devenport at the end of the decade. The conversion involved landing the aft 6 inch and 3 in turrets and replacing them with a flight deck and hangar, allowing her to deploy up to four helicopters. She was also fitted with new radar and command, control and communications kit and was armed with Sea Cat anti-aircraft missiles. In 1978, Tiger was placed in reserve once again. In 1982, following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, work was begun to re-commission her, but the conflict drew to an end before this could be completed. She was finally sold for scrap in 1986. Revell seem to be continuing their move into the now-standard maritime modelling scale of 1:700 by re-releasing Matchbox’s back catalogue of warships. Following the release of the HMS Duke of York and Z38 destroyer kits, the latest addition to the line up is HMS Tiger. The kit has been packed into the familiar teal coloured box used by Revell for all of their maritime kits. Inside are three sprues of grey plastic which hold a total of seventy-five parts. The moulds were originally produced by Matchbox in 1979, but seem to be holding up well. There is a little flash here and there, but other than that everything looks pretty clean and crisp. Making allowances for the age of the kit, the level of detail is pretty respectable, if a little soft. The only obvious problem is with the two long parts which make up the sides of the hull. These are quite warped – almost as if the parts are too long for the sprue – but hopefully they can be coaxed into shape once glued to the waterline hull plate and upper deck. Construction begins with the aforementioned hull. The kit is waterline only, which suits me down to the ground but might not appeal to all modellers. The upper deck is in three parts, with the rear part provided in two layers which helps to create a realistic sense of depth. The superstructure and bridge is comprised of six parts. All the basics are there, but if you have some photo etch details such as ladders and doors to hand, then these will make a big difference to the kit. The lattice mast is ok, but quite clunky because of the limitations of the injection moulding process. The same applies to the large radar antenna. Again, if you have some photo etch alternatives lying around, then I suggest you make use of them. The 6 in and 3 inch turrets are pretty good, and the main guns can be posed in the elevated or depressed position. A single Sea King helicopter is provided. Made up of four parts, it is actually quite nice and will look pretty good sitting on the flight deck. A number of launches and lifeboats are included too, which all help to give the deck a nice, busy appearance. A single option is provided on the decal sheet, to depict HMS Tiger as she appears on the box artwork. There isn’t much to the decal sheet, but pennant numbers and markings for the flight deck are included, along with a white ensign. There aren’t, however, any markings for the helicopter. Conclusion Although these moulds are as old as me, the kit looks to be in pretty good shape. If the warped hull sides can be iron out, this kit should build up into a nice, if fairly basic, representation of HMS Tiger. Hopefully Revell will carry on releasing these Matchbox kits too. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit