Reviews

1/400 Graf Spee and Scheer
Photo etch set by Tom's ModelWorks

The latest 1/400 release from Tom's Modelworks is designed to fit the Heller Scharnhorst and Gneisenau kits. The Heller kits are pretty good right out of the box but have lacked a purpose built photo etch set. This set really addresses those kits weaknesses. The parts are all finely etched in brass with some parts relief etched for a 3D appearance.

Note: image scanned in B&W to allow higher resolution without increasing file size.

The set includes the following parts:

Deck Rails and vertical ladders
Turret face windows
Aircraft details
Bridge level mast rigging
Capstan wheels
Step over for deck wash rails
Boat racks
FuMB 4 Radar (Scheer)
FuMO 22 Radar (for Graf Spee)
FuMO 22 Radar (for Scheer prior to 40 refit)
FuMO 27 Radar (Scheer after 1941 refit)
FuMB 7
FuMB 6 Radar
Radar face dipoles for FuMO Radar's
Mast spreader and rigging
Crane framework
Rafts
Catapults and platforms
Small boat booms and base
Bridge wings and support bracing
Foremast platform
Stairs and platforms
Bow platforms
Main deck wash rails
Deck netting

The instructions are well done with four pages that show the many parts of the fret. Extra detail views included to help illustrate the placement of each item..

(click to enlarge)

Conclusions:

Set # 4016 retails for $19.00. If you plan on building the Heller kits you need this set. It has almost everything you will need to do it right. Click the logo on the right to check out this and other sets from Tom's Modelworks.