Atlanta, in some works, is designated CLAA-51 because of her primary armament as an anti-aircraft cruiser. Hence, all of the Atlanta-class ships are sometimes designated as CLAA. However, her entire battery of 5-inch (127 mm) guns were dual-purpose (DP) guns, and were capable of being used against both air and surface targets, able to fire anti-aircraft, high-explosive and armor-piercing shells.

The Atlanta-class ships were lightly armored, making them poor surface combatants compared to a typical light cruiser. In terms of armament, the Atlanta class was closer to a destroyer, being armed with 5-inch guns, than a light cruiser, which were generally equipped with 6-inch guns; but at well over 500 feet (152 m) in length, and combined with their large battery of sixteen 5-inch (127 mm) guns (reduced to twelve in number for later ships of the class), they were designated as light cruisers. The unusual features of the Atlanta class is a result of the class originally being intended to be a destroyer leader. A destroyer leader is larger than its destroyer counterparts to accommodate command staff and resources as well as other general utilities to support the destroyers that they would be paired with. In line with this intended role the ship was given a complement of torpedoes and relatively thin armor compared to other ships of its size. Later the dimensions and tonnage of the ship resulted in a change in designation of the Atlanta class to a light cruiser. Despite this change in designation the Atlanta class of ships maintained their destroyer leader features. 

For more information on Atlanta's history, check out her Wikipedia page, where this history was taken from. 

The Very Fire 1/350 USS Atlanta comes is a very sturdy cardboard box.  On the box top is a dramatic painting of Atlanta during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.   Upon opening the box, you'll find the two halves of the hull secured into a cardboard insert.  Underneath that is the rest of the kit, with the parts bagged and the deluxe PE and turned brass wrapped in bubble wrap. 

The hull features prominent plating, as is the current style.  It's not as heavy as the plating found on Merit's Yorktown-class carriers, but it's still pronounced and, in my opinion, just a little overdone, especially the butt straps.  Compared to plans, the hull shape looks good, except, perhaps, for the prominent knuckle at the bow.   To my eye, the knuckle doesn't seem pronounced or deep enough, and may be slightly higher than it should be.  Also, the opening in the bow for the paravane shoe is missing.  This is clearly seen on photos of both Atlanta and Juneau in service.

The inside of the hull has a groove for those wishing to waterline their model.  Curiously, it doesn't go all the way around, but stops - in the same area  - on both sides of the hull.  There are also two sunken holes in the bottom of the hull, to allow for pedestals, for those building full hull, who want to mount their ship on finials.  Other than the waterline groove not going all the way around the hull, these are both nice touches. 

My biggest issue with this part is the molded on non-skid treading.  They don't look right, nor do they match the non-skid treads molded onto the superstructure decks.  The treads on the main deck are much thinner than those found on the superstructure, and look more like a weld bead than non-skid treading.  Your options are to scrape them off, and hope someone does a set of decals for them, or leave them and hope that between the paint and the deck equipment, they won't be that noticeable.

At the aft end of the deck, there are numerous locating holes on the underside that have to be drilled out.  This seems to indicate - which VeryFire confirmed to Brandon Lowe of FreeTime Hobbies - that other variants of the class are forthcoming.  Unfortunately, the holes create corresponding bumps on the topside of the deck.  Once they are opened and there is deck equipment in place, this might not show, but I'm not sure if each and every hole will be have to be drilled open. Again, under a coat of paint, it might not matter, and might be a minor point, but it is something I noticed. 

C1 - this is the largest of these four part.  This part (as do all the others) feature raised non-skid treading, but here it looks better and is more subtle than the main deck.  There is also nice detail to be found on the bulkheads - fire hoses, cabling, watertight doors.  The splinter shields for the 20mm guns are well formed and not too thick. 

C2 - same comments as above, along with some decent injection molded renditions of vertical ladders. 

C3 - this is the aft superstructure.  Same comments as before

C4 - this is a small deckhouse for gun mounts 6 and 7.   Same detail as before, along with some other detail that may be stowed gun cleaning rods, according to the Floating Drydock plans. 

The bases for the Mk 37 directors are three parts each.  It will be interesting to see if this leaves any sort of seam when assembled.   I do think that the molded on line on the sides of the funnels are overstated.  I'm not even sure what they are supposed to represent, as looking at pictures of Juneau at the New York Navy Yard in March, 1942, I can see nothing like these lines on the real ship. 

The props are 3 bladed, which is correct for when the ship was first commissioned and undergoing trials, but incorrect for when she was in service.  Atlanta (and Juneau) had their 3-bladed props switched out for 4-bladed versions, due to excessive vibrations.   If you are building the model full hull, and want to depict her at Midway or when she was sunk, you'll have to source new props.

Fret M - This is included with the base kit.  It have cable reels, depth charge racks, boat cradles and rigging for the crane

Fret A - This is from the deluxe set.  Here you'll find railings, supports, rigging for booms, and parts for the ships boats.

Fret B - Also from the deluxe set.  Here is the corresponding netting for the rafts on sprue PH, Mk 4 radars and supports, watertight doors, vision ports with armored covers, and vertical ladders. There are also porthole details and braces and shields for the 20mm guns. 

Fret C - The last fret from the deluxe set.   The boat crane, accommodation ladders (2), inclined ladders, flag bags, supports/bracing, replacement davits (with nice detail), jackstaff, wind baffles and a replacement part for the front of the bridge. 

Other than the knuckle on the hull (maybe) not being deep enough, the kit certainly looks like an Atlanta.  It's also better, in my opinion, than the resin 1/350 versions that have come before it, neither of which seems to be readily available at the moment (and yes, I've seen both of those models.  Owned and sold the BlueWater Navy version, and got a close up of the other manufacturers kit at an IPMS show some years back.  While that kit was quite nice, and a big improvement over the BWN kit, this kit from VF is even better.  Again, my opinion). 

As Atlanta and Juneau - both built in the great state of New Jersey - were nearly identical, you should be able to build either ship from this kit.  San Diego and San Juan - built at a different yards than the first pair - had slightly revised bridges.  If you are looking to build one of these, you can either wait for the next Very Fire release (supposedly either San Diego and San Juan), or pick up the 3D printed replacement Kraken Hobbies is working on, if you can't wait for the next release. 

Here's something Rick Davis (who I'd like to thank for graciously sharing photos, drawings and document he had scanned at the US National Archives NARA II location in College Park, MD with me) put together to outline the differences between Atlanta and Juneau. 

The kit has eight (8) 20mm guns.  Some sources say she added more 20mm before her demise, but I can't find any confirmation of that.  Again, hard to know for sure, and the last good photo of her, taken about 2-3 weeks before the battle, are from an angle which doesn't reveal any addition 20mm, or is too grainy to tell.  Based on what I see in photos, I'd say the kit - with a few revisions - is accurate enough for most modelers to build either a Midway or Guadalcanal version.  It's not like anyone can prove you wrong, and the wreck is in such deplorable condition that nothing can be discerned from that. 

Here are some photos from the National Archives of Atlanta from May, June, August and October 1942, for you to draw your own conclusions.  Thanks again to Rick Davis for the photos.

I do have some criticism of the kit, particularly the overstated non-skid treading on the main deck and hull plating, the (possible) shape of the knuckle, some flash, and the mix of features from different fits.  On the other hand, there is some really nice detail, especially that molded onto the bulkheads and the vents.  Compared to plans, the shapes look accurate, and the turned brass parts and photo-etch frets included in the deluxe version are really well done.  At the end of the day, it's a kit many have been clamoring for, and I think most modelers will be happy with what is in the box.  Plus, with some minor changes, you can build her sister Juneau as well.  All we need is some enterprising company to come out with camouflage masks for both ships.  Recommended. 

This is Very Fire Model's kit number VF350, the 1/350 USS Atlanta.  The model currently sells for $199.99, and can be purchased from FreeTime Hobbies - who I'd like to thank for this review sample. 

This is an in-box review of the kit contents only.  Your mileage may vary, once you get going on yours.