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1/350 IJN 11m motor boat, SKU #35009065
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by Dan Kaplan |
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| BACKGROUND | |||||||||
| The capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy carried a variety of ship’s boats, as did other navies. Their 11m motor boat was standard equipment aboard most heavy and light cruisers, carriers, battleships, and shore stations. It was used for transporting officers and/or errands. Typically, it had a canvas covered frames over the open seating area aft for extra protection from spray, heavy weather, or excessive sun. The canvas could be removed and remounted as needed. When raised, there were clear window ports mounted within the canvas sidewalls. | |||||||||
Click to enlarge images |
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| THE PARTS | |||||||||
| The Swordfish sample comes as a package
of two complete boats printed in a light grey resin sitting together on
one print raft. The raft is secured to the bottom of Swordfish’s usual
clear plastic clamshell container with a sticky adhesive. The adhesive
is reasonably strong, so care must be used when removing the raft.
Each boat is 3D printed, complete with bumpers, propeller and shaft, rudder, planked deck, fenders, hatches, railings at the bow that stand proud off the decking, deck mounted air intakes, and a small, enclosed bridge mounted forward with windows open in front and recessed, slotted and open to either side. There’s also a low railing, set of signal lights and fully raised mast mounted on top of the bridge. The passenger cockpit is enclosed by a canvas top over a frame. Recessed, but solid window frames line the sides of the canvas covering. At the stern, a raised jackstaff and life preserver are printed in place. The printing is superb, and the detailing is excellent. Several of these type details are often available as accessories rendered in styrene, wood stickers or brass photoetch. Having these details printed as part of the whole boat makes for a simpler, neater, easier assembly and painting. Note that 3D printed parts, particularly the smaller and finer points, are very vulnerable to damage. As it is, I was not careful in my handling of the print raft, and I broke the mast on one boat, and the propeller shaft on the other. I’m not too broken up about the mast since it was only erected when the boat was on the open water and in need of a sail. One would have to remove it anyway to properly pose it aboard a ship. The broken prop shaft is another matter entirely. |
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Since there are no pieces to glue together, there are no instructions. General user instructions for handling and gluing 3D printed parts are available on the Swordfish website. |
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| FINAL THOUGHTS | |||||||||
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These are some very nicely
done pieces that require no assembly. Know also that Swordfish offers the
identical boat without the canopy:
https://www.swordfishmodels.com/product-page/11-m-motor-boat
I see these Swordfish units as a very cost-effective replacement for most kit versions. Recommended. This is set #35009065 which retails for approximately US$9.75 (without shipping) from Swordfish Naval Models own webstore: https://www.swordfishmodels.com/ Review sample courtesy of Swordfish Naval Models Accessories. |
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