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Modelers have often wondered why certain historically or technologically important ships have never been released in plastic. With the release of Zvezda's 1/350 HMS Dreadnought, one of those subjects, long absent, is now available. North Star Models, a Ukranian firm, has worked with Zvezda to release a photoetch detail set for this ship.
North Star has 2 sets available for Dreadnought, part of their "Askold Line"; NSA 350105 and 350106. This review is for NSA 350106, comprised of 6 frets of brass, relief-etched photoetch called "plates" by North Star. These come individually packed in plastic, and then all are loose packed in a plastic bag.
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PLATE 1 is shown as one large fret on the included directions, but is split into 2 frets when packaged. This top half of the fret has a wide
variety of parts included. Many are familiar to most PE sets; inclined laddars, porthole/scuttles, hatch covers, screens for the stacks, etc.
Some not so familar are the new exteriors for the five turrets of Dreadnought. Another interesting- and apparently delicate- detail on this plate are
large wrap-around exteriors for the two smokestacks.
The parts are neither numbered or labelled on the sheets- you must reference the instructions to find each part.
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PLATE 1 |
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PLATE 1a |
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This lower half to Plate "1" has two styles of railing; all appear to be cut to length. It has coaling hatches, hose/cable reels, block assemblies, and more portholes and hatches. There are also some yards with etched footropes attaches, and eyelets for lanyards. This sheet also includes raised letters spelling out the ship's name, "Dreadnought."
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PLATE 1a |
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PLATE 2 |
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PLATE 2 is etched from thicker brass, which is fitting for the more structural parts here. This plate has planked deck parts for the signalling platform, compass platform and bridge, as well as upgraded starfish, admiral's cabin and charthouse bulkheads, and blades for the propellers.
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PLATE 2 |
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PLATE 2a |
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PLATE 2a has some additional railings, inclined ladders, and accomodation platforms.
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PLATE B2 |
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PLATE 3 |
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This plate has fittings for the ships boats, parts for the accomodation ladders, and some lengths of screen. The boat details include thwarts, oars, rudders, as well as railings and hatches when appropriate.
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PLATE 3 |
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PLATE X |
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This plate is not indicated in the instructions, but appears to be a set of handwheels.
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PLATE X |
| INSTRUCTIONS |
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There are 4 double-sided pages of instructions included with this set. The instructions start with a sample layout of 4 photoetch plates (1 and 1a as a single item).
Each plate is numbered in a somewhat confusing manner; 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4. The parts on the image of each plate is numbered, but there is not a corresponding parts listing. It is difficult to know what all the various parts on each plate are.
The other 6 pages have around 50 assembly steps. There is little text, and the parts are indicated in a difficult to follow manner; 66/2, 6/2, 34/1, etc. Additionally, are the parts shown on the plates do not appear to be used in the steps shown. It is not indicated whether these are extra parts, or if the use of these parts does not require instructions.
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| CONCLUSIONS |
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Careful planning and studying of these instructions, the photoetch, and your Dreadnought kit are a must when using this detail set.
That being said, North Star Models's etching are crisp, and your model is sure to benefit from these details.
This set is NSM 350106, and is priced at around $75.00. This set is available in the US from Pacifc Front Hobbies. Thanks to North Star Models for providing this review sample.
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