MikroMir HMS Resolution. 1:350

[Shar2]

HMS Resolution

Mikro Mir 1:350

 

The Resolution class was a class of four nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) built for the Royal Navy as part of the UK Polaris programme. Each submarine was armed with up to 16 UGM-27 Polaris A-3 nuclear missiles. The class included Resolution, Repulse, Renown and Revenge. They were built by Vickers Armstrong in Barrow-in-Furness and Cammell Laird in Birkenhead between 1964 and 1968. All four boats were based at HM Naval Base Clyde (HMS Neptune), 40 km (25 mi) west of Glasgow, Scotland.

The Resolution class was the launch platform for the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent from the late 1960s until 1994, when it was replaced by the Vanguard-class submarine carrying the Trident II.The design was a modification of the Valiant-class fleet submarine, but greatly extended to incorporate the missile compartment between the fin and the nuclear reactor. The length was 130 metres (430 ft), breadth 10.1 metres (33 ft), height 9 metres (30 ft) and the displacement 8,400 long tons (8,500 t) submerged and 7,600 long tons (7,700 t) surfaced. A Rolls-Royce pressurised water reactor (PWR1) and English Electric Company turbines gave them a speed of 25 knots (46 km/h) and they could dive to depths of 275 metres (902 ft). Sixteen Polaris A3 missiles were carried, in two rows of eight. For emergencies there was a diesel generator and six 533-millimetre (21 in) torpedo tubes located at the bow, firing the Tigerfish wire-guided homing torpedoes. The submarines put to sea with a crew of 143.

The first to be completed was Resolution, laid down in February 1964 and launched in September 1966. After commissioning in 1967 she underwent a long period of sea trials, culminating in the test firing of a Polaris missile from the USAF Eastern Test Range off Cape Kennedy at 11:15 on 15 February 1968. Resolution commenced her first operational patrol on 15 June 1968, beginning 28 years of Polaris patrols. The class were part of the 10th Submarine Squadron, all based at Faslane Naval Base, Scotland. All four of the class underwent conversion during the 1980s so that they could be fitted with the Polaris AT-K missile which was fitted with the British-developed Chevaline MRV system. As the newer Vanguard-class submarines entered service, the Resolution class was eventually retired and all boats laid up at Rosyth dockyard with their used nuclear fuel removed.

 

The Model

This kit has been out for a little while now but this is our first look at it. The kit comes in the familiar coloured top opening box, inside of which the kit parts are safely held in a poly bag.  Considering the size of the completed model, there are very few parts, making it a great kit to start with if you thinking of making a selection of submarine models. The grey styrene is not as soft as some short run kits I’ve come across and the moulded details, such as the silo doors, are very nicely moulded.

 

The two hull halves are cut vertically rather than the standard horizontal seen in most other kits.  This makes the modelling of a waterline diorama a little harder, but most submarine models I’ve seen have been full hull. The two halves are glued together and the join line filled and sanded as necessary.  The single piece silo section is then glued to the upper hull, followed by the four part sail assembly, consisting of two sail halves, sail top and internal floor, being attached to the forward end of the silo section. The sail is provided with no less than nine periscopes and antenna/radar masts, so it can look a bit crowded if the modeller was to fit all of them. To the front of the upper casing a sonar blade is glued into position and just ahead of that there is a another protuberance which I have yet to identify. The bow planes each come in inner and outer sections allowing the modeller to pose the outer sections folded up should they so wish. The upper and lower rudders and the aft dive planes are then attached to the rear of the hull, followed by the etched propeller. With the boss in place, the blades must be twisted carefully to shape, which is shown in the instructions, but you might get better results by finding a photograph of them on the internet or your library. There is just a small decal sheet providing just the depth marks, two types for the bow and two types for the stern, the kit also comes with a small stand to display it on.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

As with the other boats released in this scale, this is great looking kit and even though it’s short run, it does build into a really nice model, as can be seen in the Ready For Inspection section on this very forum. Mikr Mir should be congratulated for releasing this important class of British boats.

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

[Julien]

Very nice to see this in plastic. When I was an apprentice at Cammell Lairds in the late 80s (showing my age) the long construction shed next to the new covered building hall was still called "The Polaris Shed". Pround to have done some work on the replacement Vanguard Class.

 

Julien

[Flankerman]

It's a nice kit that makes up into a great model of the Royal Navy's SSBN.

 

I made one a while ago :- here

 

 

Mikro  Mir made a bit of a boo boo with the box art - as it shows a Valiant class SSN

 

Ken

[Julien]

Thanks @Flankerman I have been sitting here looking at that pic thinking something was not right. 

[Shar2]

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out Ken. I'd completely missed it. Doh!