| The HMS Biter was an Avenger class Escort Carrier originally
laid down as the merchant ship Rio Parana in 1939. After launching she
was taken over by the US Navy for conversion to an aircraft carrier and
became one of four of this early type of escort carriers. Biter and two
of her sisters HMS Avenger and HMS Dasher were transferred to Britain as
part of the lend lease program. The fourth sister was retained by the US
Navy as the USS Charger. Biter began her career by ferrying aircraft to
the war zones of the Mediterranean. Early in March 43 she embarked a squadron
of Fairey Swordfish and began defending the vital convoys crisscrossing
the Atlantic. Later in 1944 she suffered fire damage and ended up in reserve
until being sent home to the US where she was refitted. Biter was back
in action again this time with the French Navy as the Dixmude. She saw
action off Indo-China where she operated as a transport and even engaged
in combat operations with her Dauntless aircraft. She later operated as
an accommodation ship and finally as a base ship. When finally returned
to the US in 1966 she was used up and beyond an economical refit. She ended
her career as a target ship. |
| HULL |
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| The hull is cast in waterline style with much of the hanger
deck cast in place. The casting is clean and flash free with no visible
defects. Surface detail is well executed and sharp. Bits are cast onto
the deck and the splinter shields are thin and well cast. |
Click images
to enlarge |
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| FLIGHT DECK |
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| This part is provided in injection molded plastic. It included some
nice molded on deck detail with underside bracing. |
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| RESIN PARTS |
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| Resin parts include the island with cast on braces and separate bridge
top with some really nice exterior bracing. Other parts include a really
nice deck winch and searchlights. Ships boats and rafts are very well cast
and very nicely detailed. |
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| NIKO 4" GUN MOUNTS |
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| Rather than reinvent the wheel, L'Arsenal has chosen to include NIKO
Models 4" gun mounts. These guns are very sharply cast with a septa gun
and base assembly. Relief etched brass completed the guns. |
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| SWORDFISH FLOAT PLANE |
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| A set of Fairey Swordfish are also included
with a resin cast fuselage and photo etch wings. The aircraft include open
cockpits just in cast you want to add a pilot. The photo etch wings have
relief etch panel lines. Two sheets of instructions show the assembly process
in detail. You can also order these aircraft separately if you need more. |
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Instructions and photo etch |
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| PHOTO ETCH |
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| A complete photo etch set includes the latticework that supports the
flight deck. Platforms and railing are included as well as inclined ladders, |
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| A second fret is included with extra 20 mm gun parts. Shields,
shoulder rests that fold in half, sights, and crank wheel are all included. |
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| DECALS |
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| A simple sheet with hull numbers is provided. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| The instructions are five pages with bill of material,
and assembly views. The last page includes camouflage markings.
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 Conclusions:
A nicely cast and detailed Escort Carrier that can be used to do the
HMS Biter or one of her sister ships. There is plenty of detail on this
ship and it will really stand out in your collection. This is kit #700-12
HMS Biter Carrier available in for $89.00 US from Tony Bunch @ L'Arsenal
USA or direct from L'Arsenal
in France
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