DKM Prinz Eugen. One of the most famous German ships of World War 2. Present at the Battle of Denmark Straits and The Channel Dash, and one of only 2 German cruisers to survive the war. Eugen was the third ship built of the Admiral Hipper class of heavy cruisers, but was built to slightly larger dimensions than the first two (Admiral Hipper and Blücher). Prinz Eugen foundered while under tow, in late 1946, from damage sustained from the Operation Crossroads atomic tests "Able" and "Baker"

The Hipper class of cruisers was Germany's "Treaty Cruiser", built with 203mm (8") guns. The 203mm SK C/34 battery was placed in four twin turrets, two forward and two aft. The Hippers were also armed with 4 x 3 533mm torpedo tubes (12 total), 12 105mm SK C/33 AA guns, up to 3 aircraft, and a host of medium and light AA weapons, increased through the life of these ships.

Prinz Eugen's Dimensions:

1. Length: 199.5m cwl, 212.5m oa
2. Beam: 21.7m
3. Draft: 7.2m max
4. Displacement: 18,750t max

Trumpeter's 1/700 Prinz Eugen 1945 version has almost the exact same contents as the previous 1942 version. The sprues, and sprue count, are virtually indentical. The only differences are;

• Sprue "C", 1945 has the nameplate on the right (1942 has the nameplate on the left); you can see where the opposite plate was cut off on either sprue.
• There is a slight difference in the decals- the white roundels for the air recognition insignia were smaller 1945.
• The instructions are of course, different, reflecting the increase AA fit and different painting instructions in 1945.

Eugen's hull is molded in Trumpeter's standard 2-piece hull; grey upper hull, red plastic lower, with an red hull plate for the waterline option. The hull pieces fit together well, and with some glue should be seem less.

The upper hull has no mold lines, flash or other defects. Other fine details are the scuttles with brow, armor belt and degaussing coil. The lower hull exhibits Trumpeters usual heavy mold marks, but is otherwise free from flash and looks to have the appropriate shape.

The kit measures out to a bit over 23" long at the waterline, which is a little over .5" too long (should be 22.44"). It's very close in beam, 2.44"000- within my margin of error. On the lower hull, the positioning of the rudder appears to be too far aft from center screw.

The deck comes in 3 pieces, with an additional single long piece for the 01 level deck. Both parts have good surface details, like staggered wood planking on the main decks, tread pattern detail on portions of the 01 deck, hose reels, etc. The main deck fits somewhat loosely- width is ok, but it needs to be slightly longer.

Sprue A has many of the superstructure decks and the well-detailed funnel. The decks include the aircraft hanger doors, which are only offered in a closed position. Each of the levels have good detail, like wood planked decks or the waffle-like pattern of wooden anti-slip. The bridge wings are delicately molded on to the bridge level piece. The 3 piece funnel is heavily detailed, and the funnel cap has a molded on screen.

This sprue has various parts, from the propellers, rudder and shafts to the aircraft catapult and ships boats. The gun directors and masts are also on this sprue, which is completed with some various antenna and superstructure walls.

Sprue C has the superstructure bulkheads and walls for the 01 level, and the nameplate is tacked onto the end of the sprue. These walls are well detailed with recessed windows and watertight doors, as well as air gratings and vents, among others.

Sprue D has the main battery of 203mm (8") guns and their turrets, along with the 105mm and other anti-aircraft guns. The main turrets have lots of detail, with raised rivets and vision ports molded on. The AA guns are a bit cludgy, but that goes with the scale.

This sprue has the boat derrick, some ship's boats, cranes, AA directors, torpedo tube mounts and the 203mm (8") barrels. The AA platform that goes atop the main turrets has nice octaganal wood decking. The boats are also nicely detailed.

Ar-196A, standard wartime floatplane of the Kriegsmarine, in clear plastic.

The included decal sheet includes deck and flag decals for Eugen and fuselage decals for a floatplane. In keeping with modern sensitivities, there are no intact swastikas on this sheet. The size of the white circles (9 & 10) for the recognition symbols are smaller than in the 1942 kit.

A 12 page instruction book is included, using Trumpeter's standard construction order and methods. There are some options the builder will need to decided upon, so close reading of the instructions is recommended before construction. Oddly, in the 1945 instructions, the list of contents on page 3 neglects to mention there are two of each sprues "D" and "E".

A full color poster showing the painting steps for Prinz Eugen and the floatplane are included. Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol colors are shown on a paint reference chart. There is no one manufacturer with every color referenced available, so some mixing may be required.

Trumpeter's logical release, following the 1942 version. Both are good kits, and should build up to a respectable Prinz Eugen. Maybe Trumpeter will release a Hipper in 1/700 next?

Thanks to Stevens International for the review sample. It is listed as #TSM-5767 1/700 German Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen 1945 with a retail price of $39.95 US. Stevens is the exclusive importer for Trumpeter kits in the US. If your hobby shop does not carry Trumpeter kits have them contact Stevens International or try their Hobby Shop Locator to find one that does.