Revell 1:72 Search and Rescue Vessel Berlin

[Shar2]

Search and Rescue Vessel Berlin
Revell 1:72

The Seenotkreuser Berlin is a smaller, inshore/enclosed sea rescue vessel used by the DGzRs, the German equivalent of the RNLI. Revell have supported the organisation for over 25 years. Beginning with this kit of the Berlin, and continuing with the larger Hermann Marwede, over 100,000 Euros have been collected to date. The Berlin kit was originally released in 1988, with several re-releases since then with alternative decals, and this is one such kit. Used on the Baltic station the Berlin is constructed out of salt-water protected aluminium. It has a high level of seaworthiness with self righting capabilities. Driven by one 1,200kW MTU diesel engine and two 610kW MWM diesels, she has a top speed of 23knots and a range of 2,300 miles. With a nine man crew, four of whom are permanently on board she is also fitted out with a daughter boat located in a well in the after-deck, which has a low draft to enable her to be used in shallow waters and had a speed of 17knots.
Contained in Revells usual end opening boxes with an artists representation on the front. Inside the kits parts are held within just one poly bag, the only exception being the clear parts which are contained within a separate poly bag. The kit is on six sprues of white styrene with separate one piece hull and the main deck. Considering the age of the kit the moulds have stood the test of time pretty well. Apart from numerous moulding pips there isn’t too much flash, and what there is looks like it will be pretty easy to clean up. The mouldings on the deck are quite nice, with hatches, anti-slip deck, and a couple of life raft canisters, (most of which would be separate in more modern kits). The moulded coiled ropes look a bit off though and would be better if they were removed, to be replaced with appropriately sized string or thread.


The Model
Building starts with the removal of the large moulding pips and flash off the lower hull, followed by the fitting of the two part centre prop faring and prop, the two outer propeller shafts, props and the three rudders. Turning the hull over the main deck can be cleaned up and fitted. To the deck the lower part of the main superstructure is started with the two main side parts, rear bulkhead with added entrance doorway bulkhead. The front of the superstructure is made up of five separate parts to create the complex shape. Care will have to be taken to ensure that these parts are fitted correctly with as few gaps as possible, although the indentation in the deck will help with this. The starboard side also has two doors fitted centrally in a V shape. To the inside of the superstructure the clear parts for the windows are fixed into place before the roof is fitted and the upper superstructure can be built up with two side parts and the front. To the rear of the upper superstructure a rear plate and a large block wheel are added. On the main deck just aft a capstain and its mounting is fitted, as is what looks like either a deck support or exhaust tube. The forward upper superstructure is further detailed with the fitting of the control panels, ships wheel, six part breakwaters, rear ladder and the mounting of the nameplates on either side. Aft of the steering position the rear bulkhead and engine intakes are fitted along with a two part liferaft canister. The main mast is built up as a separate assembly, but will require a fair bit of cleaning up before building can start. To the main part of the mast a rear plate is fitted before the lower aerial yardarms are added. To the front an radar platform is fitted along with the two piece search radar. Two further yardarms are added to the front and another to the rear. These are fitted with shorter aerials and a DF loop aerial. At the top of the mast is another small platform for a small whip aerial. The completed mast assembly is then added to the top of the engine intakes aft of the upper steering position.

With the majority of the main build complete, the build moves to the small details. Starting with the building of the two five piece fire fighting monitors and the mains pipe with three control wheels added that goes between and is attached to the two monitors. The whole assembly is fitted to the aft end of the upper superstructure, along with a safety rail. Around the upper steering position two searchlights and a loudhailer are fitted and a siren is added to the roof of the lower superstructure. On the foredeck the three outlet hose pipe is added just in front of the superstructure whilst further forward a two piece capstain and another searchlight are attached along with the outer breakwater around the bows. Staying with the bow section the forward railings are now added, the two side railings being easy whereas the bow railings are moulded as a straight section and, as the instructions detail, will require immersing in hot water to bend into shape. Also on the foredeck, a small derrick, two anchors and a flag staff are fitted, whilst to the midsection a pair of railings, with canvas fittings and a pair of bitts are attached.

Moving right aft, two five piece cabinets are built up, one fitted with a ladder whilst the other is fitted with a control box. These cabinets are then fitted either side of the launch well. Once again the railing fitted the quarter deck have to be bent to shape in hot water. The three stern railings are in separate parts and fit around the stern with two more bitts and a pair of fenders. The framework over the launch well is then constructed of one forward part and two rear parts. A further frame is then fitted over the two cabinets added earlier and joined to the two rear frames with two tubes. The last parts to be added to the main ship are the three fenders each side, tied on with the black thread included in the kit.
Construction then moves on to building the inshore launch carried by the Berlin. The single piece deck is added to the hull along with the rear bulkhead of the cabin. The cabin itself is made up of two side parts, front piece and roof. Clear parts for the windows are fitted before the whole assembly is added to the hull. The final parts are the mast, with added searchlight, navigation lights, lifejacket, and radar reflector. Once complete, painted and the decals applied the launch is installed in the well on the stern of the Berlin.

Decals
The single decal sheet is well printed, in good register and quite glossy. The sheet provides the large SAR markings on the bows of both the Berlin and the launch, instruments for the steering position, various ensigns and flags, plus the choice of either naming the model the Berlin or Hermann Helms, for attaching to the boat and the stand on the nameplate. There are also a number of decals that look like anti-slip coating for the deck.

Conclusion
Although the moulds are getting on a bit, this looks like a nice little kit. It will take a bit of work to make it looking top notch, but once done it will make a great and colourful addition to any collection, particularly if it’s displayed next to its bigger sister the Hermann Marwede. Recommended

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

[Dave Fleming]

Would look good alongside the Airfix Severn as well. - Might just get one

[Shar2]

I had forgotten about the Severn Dave. That would look good, a sort of international rescue display.