Reviewed August
2021
by Christopher Martens
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| HISTORY |
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| HMS Inflexible was a Victorian Age battleship commissioned
in 1881 as an answer to combat the perceived threat posed by the Italian
Navy. At the time of her completion, she boasted the larged main battery
on any British warship. With armor almost entirely concentrated in a "box"
around her vitals, one may also say she was one of the first "all or nothing"
designs. In addition, she was the first Royal Navy ship to be fully fitted
with electricity. Conversely, she was still a muzzle-loaded battleship
as her guns were entirely too long to be loaded from the rear.
This kit is of particular interest because Inflexible reflects a transitional
and often experimental period of naval design. This vessel is characterized
by a juxtoposition of early- to mid- 1800's elements (breech loading guns
and full rig) and turn of the century concepts (turrets, all-or-nothing
armor, eletricity.)
HMS Inflexible's only real action was during the Urabi Revolt, where
she suffered more damage from the back blast of her 16 inch guns than those
pointed at her. Interestingly, her skipper at the time was none other than
John Arbuthnut Fisher, commonly known as "Jackie" to his friends and colleagues.
As many of you know, Jackie Fisher would go on to the highest echelon of
the navy, later being responsible for spearheading the development of both
dreadnought and battlecruiser-type vessels. The rest of the ship's career
was relatively quiet until her disposal in 1903.
Combrig's kit presents the ship as she was completed, in 1881 with her
full rig. |
| THE HULL |
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| As with many of Combrig's newest kits, Inflexible's hull
is absolutely covered in well-defined detail. Hatches, supports, and ventilation
hatches cover the hull. The quality of the resin is such that photo etch
replacement parts would likely add little. |
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| SUPERSTRUCTURE,
CONNING TOWER, AND FUNNELS |
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As with any Combrig kit, superstructure
parts are present on a thin wafer or runner. Detail continues to impress.
I chose to do a bit of test fitting between the forward/aft superstructure
and the hull and noted a minimal gap. Filling and removing evidence of
its existence should not be far beyond the skill of an average modeler
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| MISCELLANEOUS
PARTS, FITTINGS, AND BITS |
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| Combrig includes a myraid
of small resin parts for everything from paravines to anchors. These parts
are presented on Combrig's usual strip wafers. I'm particularly shocked
with the quality of the winches. Detail is incredible, on par with many
modern resin and 3D printed options. One of these wafers also contains
her 20-pound breech-loaders, likely some of the last fit to a British vessel.
These were replaced by BL 4" guns in 1885. |
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| MAIN
ARMAMENT |
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| Inflexible was equipped with two turrets boasting two 16"
Armstrong guns. The weapons are extremely well-crafted in this kit and
appear accurate from photographs. |
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| SHIP'S BOATS |
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| The ships' boats are, by far, the best options Combrig
has offered with their kits. Again, these are on par with many cutting
edge offerings from well-respected aftermarket options. |
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| PHOTOETCH |
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| Combrig's comprehensive photo etch set contains everything
that is needed to complete this vessel. There is minimal relief etching,
but what's offered is very good. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| Photos below are snapshots from Combrig's instruction manual.
Instructions are intuitive, clear, and also offer in-scale sizing brass
stock needed for masts and some crane booms. Full instructions can be found
at: HMS
Inflexibles's Instructions, 1881 |
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| CONCLUSIONS |
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Inflexible represents not only a strange transitional
period of warship design, but provides a unique link in Admiral Fisher's
expansive career in the Royal Navy. Combrig's kit is, unsurprisingly, incredible.
As with all of their newer kits, you'll need to make the masts, but this
is a good thing. Brass masts and halyards tend to bend less with rigging.
Thank you to both Modelwarships and Combrig
for this review sample. I will thoroughly enjoy building it. |
