Reviewed
by Martin J Quinn
July 2020
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| Italeri Models has released a newer
version of 2014's release (No 5619) of the specially modified Vosper, MTB
74, used in the St Nazaire Raid (Operation Chariot).
This release, Vosper MTB 74 with crew, kit No 5624, includes the
figures that were previously released as a stand alone set (5616).
For background on Operation Chariot, the kit instructions offer this:
On March 1942, a British amphibious attack was
undertaken by Royal Navy and Commandos against the large dry dock at Saint
Nazaire, in German occupied France. “Chariot” was the codename of the combined
operation. The French harbor was in fact an important logistic point for
the German Kriegsmarine in the Atlantic. The raid was conducted by some
destroyers and by a motor launches flotilla that provide the transport
duties of British Commandos. The operation was successful done and the
dry dock was damaged and unusable until the end of the war. A key role
was assigned to the MTB 74. It had been specifically modified by Royal
Navy shipyards to house torpedo tubes on its foredeck and to adopt specific
engine silencers to reduce the noise. MTB 74 duty was to hit the anti-submarine
nets and then to launch its torpedoes to block the lock gate. The MTB achieved
its targets but on the way back it was hit and sank.
For more information on the raid, there is a dedicated
site here and the Wiki
entry
here.
For more on the Vosper MTBs in general, there is an old topic (circa 2012)
started by Mike Sills in the Modelwarship.com forums
here,
that is quite illuminating. |
| Vosper
MTB 74 with Crew |
| The
Vosper MTB 74 comes in a BIG BOX. Upon opening the box you'll
find it's like a box in a box, each section has something new. First
the clear parts, decals and instructions. Then, opening up
the box further, you'll find the hull, thread and screws, and then underneath
that, in another compartment, the sprues with the parts for the Vosper
and the crew figures. |
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| SPURE A |
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| This "sprue" is the hull.
Being 1/35, its BIG. The detail is good. The hull appears to
almost have a texture to it. There are subtle outlines on each side
of the hull where the exhausts from the earlier MTB 77 release would go.
As MTB 74 has modified exhausts, these will need to be sanded smooth. |
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| SPRUE
B |
| This "sprue" is the one piece deck.
It has nice, subtle plank detail, but I don't know now much of it will
be seen once you've laid down paint. There are raised hatches, combings
and other details on the deck which are nicely molded. The pilothouse
cockpit has a fire extinguisher molded in place (not that you'll be able
to see it) and an instrument panel molded in place. There was
only one spot that I found a little bit of flash on, on the starboard side
of the large hatch - which I assume is for the engine room - behind the
pilothouse. |
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| SPRUE
C |
| Here you'll find the pilothouse roof
and sides, what looks to be an exterior steering location, a prop, a ladder
for access to the interior cockpit and other fittings. Everything
looks well detailed and molded, although there are plenty of mold seams
that you'll need to clean up. The "canvas" sided on the aft portion
of the pilothouse look especially nice, as are the grab rails on either
side of the pilothouse roof. |
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| SPRUE
D (X2) |
| The torpedoes (2 halves for each),
props, vents, life rings, hatches, mufflers for the exhausts and exhaust
pipes are found on these sprues. As before, detail is nice
and the moldings looks good. |
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| SPRUE
E |
| This is the largest sprue.
It has the stand for the completed model, the torpedo tubes, a raft (which
is nicely done), as well as a "canvas" framed cover for the engine room
hatch. It also has the pieces for the part that protrudes from the
bow of the boat. I have no idea that that is called or used for.
I just know it looks like a nautical "cow-catcher". |
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| SPRUE
F |
| The smallest sprue, with the large
hatch (again, I assume for the engine room) and two curved inserts that
attach to the hull just forward of the step in the deck. |
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| CLEAR
SHEET |
| There is a small sheet of thin, clear
plastic, which has the portholes and windows for the pilot house. |
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| PHOTO-ETCH |
| A small photo-etch set, with relief
etching, in included. Among the parts on the fret are parts
for the outside of the portholes, the rudder and the torpedo tubes. |
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| MISC |
| A small plastic bag with thread and
screws round out the box. The thread - in two colors - is for
the rigging. The screws are used to secure the deck to the hull. |
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| BONUS
SPRUE - CREW FIGURES |
| This is the sprue that distinguishes
this release from the earlier version - the inclusion of the Vosper MTB
crew. There are seven figures in various dress and poses.
The figures look decent, but a little soft on details with some flash.
Also, each figure is multiple parts, so filling and sanding seams may be
in your future. |
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| DECAL |
| There is one small decal sheet included.
There are decals for the pennant number, draught marks, the instrument
panel, the White Ensign and one for each side of the stand, which acts
as a nameplate. While a little thick, the decals do look to be in
register. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
| A large A4 sized, tri-folded instruction
book is included. It contains a parts manifest and seven steps of
exploded views, outlining the assembly. They look pretty easy to
follow. |
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| The last
page of the instructions is in color, and includes the painting instructions.
The instructions call for flat light gray, flat non-specular sea gray and
flat extra dark sea gray. Checking with the folks on the Facebook "Warship
Camouflage Group", the feeling is the the correct paints are - from dark
to light - 507A, 507C and white, with a possibility of the darkest color
being B5. Check your references carefully, the instructions indicate
the camouflage is symmetrical on both sides, but looking at photos, there
might be slight difference from port to starboard. I found these
photos on the web, but other than the photo of MTB 74 at speed, which is
© IWM FL 25732, I'm unable to find the original source. |
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| CONCLUSIONS |
As mentioned, this is a BIG model.
It should give anyone many hours of enjoyment building it, with the added
bonus of a crew. I think it would look particularly fine if
it was crewed, nicely weathered and placed in a diorama. I
can't speak to the accuracy of the model, but reviews of the early releases
are favorable. The only nitpicks I have are some mold seams
and flash, but those are easily cleaned up. Recommended, especially
for fans of larger scales and costal forces. Or both!
Thanks to MRC
for the review sample. Italeri Models is imported into the USA by MRC.
This kit is your local hobby shop or favorite online retailer now! This
is kit number 5624, Vosper MTB 74 with Crew. It retails for $195.00. |
