Thetis Models Ascari Review

Reviewed January 2025
by Felix Bustelo

HISTORY

The Soldati (Soldiers) class of the Regia Marina were authorized as part of the 1936/37 naval program. A total of 12 ships were built under this program and were categorized as the 1^st Series. They were similar the Oriani class of destroyers that were near completion. The differences were improved arrangements of the internal spaces and a slightly larger amidships deckhouse. The larger structure was designed to mount a single 4.7in gun. Another difference was replacing the 13.2mm machine guns fitted to the Oriani with 20mm Breda cannons. These differences resulted in an increase in displacement by approximately 100 tons and required an increase in the machinery output to have the same speed 34-35 knots of the Oriani class. All of the ships were named after soldier’s corps and special units of the Italian Army.

The 1^st Series ships were built at several yards which led to some physical differences. The six ships built at the OTO Cantiere di Livorno had a larger funnel with less flare while the others had a smaller funnel with more rake. The ships measured 350 feet 1 inch (106.7 meters) overall with a beam of 33 feet 4 inches (approximately 10.1 meters) and a draft of 14 feet 1 inch (4.3 meters). Armament consisted of four or five 4.7in/50 guns in different twin and single mount configurations. Light armament consisted of eight or twelve Breda 20mm/65 cannons again in different twin and single mount configurations. All ships were initially fitted with a pair of triple 21in torpedo tubes. Later in the war, four destroyers had their aft torpedo tubes removed and replaced with a gun tub for a pair of single Breda 37mm/54 anti-aircraft guns.

An additional 12 ships were authorized under the 1938/39 naval program, but were never laid down due to Italy’s entry into the war. In August of 1940, construction of five new Soldati class destroyers were approved to replace war losses, with two more ordered the following summer. Of these seven, considered the 2nd Series, only five were actually commissioned.

The Soldatis fought in almost all Mediterranean naval battles and served as convoy escorts and transports on the North African routes. Nine ships were war losses and one was sabotaged by her crew on September 8, 1943 while undergoing an overhaul in Genoa. Postwar, two ships went to Russia and three to France as war reparations. Italy retained two Soldati class destroyers (Granatiere and Carabiniere) and they were rebuilt as anti-submarine frigates in the 1950s. The former served until 1958 and the latter was lastly used as a trials ship to test new weapons and sensors. She ran aground in 1978 while being towed to the breakers. The hulk was freed and eventually scrapped.

Ascari, one of the 1st Series ships, was built at the OTO shipyard in Livorno. She was laid down on December 11, 1937 and launched on July 31, 1938. Ascari was completed on May, 6 1939 thus becoming the last ship of the 1st Series of the Soldati class to enter service.

As Ascari was fitted in 1941, her main battery consisted of five 4.7in/50 guns, with twin turrets fitted fore and aft and a single turret a platform amidships. Her anti-aircraft armament consisted of a total of ten 20mm Breda cannons, with four twin and two single mounts. Ascari was equipped a pair of triple 21in torpedo tubes amidships. The anti-submarine armament consisted of a pair of depth charge throwers and a pair of depth charge roll-off racks. Ascari could perform minelaying duties if needed and could carry up to 56 mines.

Throughout her wartime career, Ascari conducted numerous convoy escort and troop transport missions to North Africa. She also participated in a few major naval battles in the Mediterranean. On July 9, 1940, Ascari was in the 12^th Destroyer Division that was ordered to attack the British Mediterranean Fleet with torpedoes during the final phase of the Battle of Calabria, but without success. On November 26-27, 1940, Ascari participated in the Battle of Cape Spartivento. Between March 26 and 29, 1941Ascari and the rest of her division escorted the 3rd Cruiser Division during the Battle of Cape Matapan.

On December 16, 1941, Ascari took part in large convoy operation to Libya. During this operation, she was had a brief encounter with the escort of an Allied convoy to Malta, in an action known as the First Battle of Sirte. On March 21-22, 1942, Ascari took part in the Second Battle of Sirte.

On March 23, 1943 Ascari sailed from Palermo for what would become her final deployment. Ascari carried German troops towards Tunis, and was joined at sea by three other destroyers also carrying German troops. Lanzerotto Malocello,one of the other destroyers, struck a mine on March 24 and was left dead in the water. Ascari's commanding officer and in command of the destroyer group, ordered the other destroyers to proceed towards Tunis as he redirected Ascari to assist Lanzerotto Malocello.The crippled destroyer eventually sank about 90 minutes after striking the mine. While rescuing Lanzerotto Malocello's survivors, Ascari hit three mines herself, losing her bow and stern and also sinking. Rescue efforts arrived at the scene about four hours later, but only 59 of the 533 troops and crew were plucked from the water. Ascari’s commanding officer was lost together with 193 of his crew and 280 German soldiers.

Thetis Models Ascari

The Thetis Models Ascari kit is comprised of a multitude of 3D printed parts, six photoetch frets, turned brass barrels, brass rods and a decal sheet. The contents come in a sturdy flip-top box with the color outer box top. The hull is wrapped in bubble wrap and the 3D printed part rafts, PE and brass items in plastic sleeves. The contents are snugly packed within a large sheet of bubble wrap. The model represents Ascari as completed in 1941, but a few parts are provided for a 1942 fit. One thing to note is that 99% of the parts have a part number printed on their respective rafts.

HULL

The 3D printed full hull is very nicely done and sits on a large print raft with numerous attachment points. Most of the attachment points are slightly thicker as they support the hull along the keel to the print raft. The thinner points are along the propeller shaft fairings. Regardless, the removal of the hull should not be too difficult but I would expect some clean up, especially along the keel, will be needed. The hull is well detailed with portholes, mooring bitts, hatches and skylights. The hull also has most of the superstructure and platforms integrated into the hull. There are some small printing supports under the platforms that will need to be removed. There is a large slot into which the bridge/deck housing/funnel parts will fit into. There are many small openings in the deck into which weapons and smaller parts will be added. Though they are not actually visible behind theraft print supports in the photos, there are recesses along the hull to accommodate the photoetch bilge keels.

The Bridge/Deck Housing/Funnel

The next largest part is a combination bridge/deck housing/funnel part, which is quite impressive. The bridge is open with some fittings already there and provides the modelers to add crew figures inside if they wish before closing it off. The funnel is well detailed inside and not just an open void. The funnel also has an access ladder and some piping on the forward face. The structure part has lockers and some watertight doors printed into it. There are also some openings over which to fit some photoetch watertight doors.

Larger 3D Printed Parts

The two next largest parts are bridge roof with twin 20mm platforms and a lookout tower which supports the searchlight. Like the bridge, the lookout tower is open with details inside and, dare I say, an opportunity to fit a couple of figures on duty inside. There is a separate roof which the searchlight will sit on. To assist bending the railing around the searchlight platform, a form (Part SH) to shape the railing around is provided. Now that is a nice touch.

Sundry Smaller 3D Printed Parts

This kit has a rather large part count, ranging from gun directors, weapons, running gear, down to many tiny fittings. For the sake of brevity, I will not get into the minutiae but instead I will highlight some of the parts. I really like that the funnel cap grill and large piping for the funnel are 3D printed rather than the former being photoetch. The gun directors are also very nicely done and for the larger one, there are two alternative versions due to the lack of definitive evidence as to which type was actually fitted to Ascari. That shows to me just how much thought was given in producing this kit and a desire to give the modeler the opportunity to build as accurate a representation of the ship as possible. The more delicate parts, such as the 20mm guns and inclined ladders, come in print rafts that have protective barriers around it. Again, evidence that this kit was well thought out. The various boats are also nice little gems. I can go on and on, but all of the parts, no matter how small, are very well printed and detailed. The downside is that all of these smaller parts can be a bit daunting to work with but you will get a detailed model in the end.

PHOTO-ETCH

The kit has six different photoetch frets with corresponding part numbers etched into the frames. Each individual fret also has an identifying letter reference (C, G, H, M, R, and S) which helps specify the parts number as in many cases the numbers are repeated on each fret. For example, photoetch part C1 is different from Part G1 and M1, and so on. Again, for the sake of brevity, I will not go into an examination of each fret as the photos will do that. The photoetch does provide the railings, watertight doors, wood decking for the open bridge, platform supports, boat details, anchor chains, life raft centers. Some of the parts are optional details to replace those found on some to the 3D printed parts (perhaps due to breakage?). One optional part to note are the minelaying rails, which would be only used if you wish to model Ascari during one of her minelaying missions. Another set of optional PE parts are stanchions for sun shade canopies fitted when moored. All of the photoetch has good relief etchings and are generally well done.

BRASS PARTS

Five turned brass barrels for the 4-inch/47 guns, with muzzle openings, are provided. Four sections of brass rod are also included. The rod has to be cut into smaller sections as per the assembly instructions.

DECALS

A single decal sheet is included which provides flags, ensigns, hull pennant letters in two sizes, ship name and some smaller markings.

INSTRUCTIONS

The assembly instructions come in a 24-page booklet with text in both Italian and English. There is also a two-sided parts inventory list, with images of the PE, decals and brass parts on one side and all of the 3D printed parts with corresponding part numbers on the flip side. The first 5 pages and the top of page 6 have the history and technical data for Ascari, first in Italian and followed with an English translation. The rest of page 6 has assembly notes, symbol explanations and requisite cautions in both languages. Pages 7 through 20 have nicely detailed assembly diagrams with bilingual annotations as needed. Also, across these pages, when needed, are color references for painting certain parts. The color references are letter references found on a separate large page painting guide. Page 21 has a rigging guide, which is very welcome. Page 22 has a guide to place the sun canvas stanchions and how to fold the PE accommodation ladders. Page 23 has instructions on decal placement with notes on proper flag placement and when to use some of the optional decals. The final page has notes on modeling Ascari as certain points in her career. The full-page painting guide has instructions for the camouflage scheme worn and colors references by letters. Some of the colors having FS or RAL references. One thing I noted, and perhaps I missed it, that the color call out for the dark sections of the camouflage scheme are missing but my guess it would be D Camo Dark Grey.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I find this to be an extremely well thought out and complete kit that should build into a detailed model of this sleek destroyer. The high part count and the small size of some of the parts may be a bit overwhelming, so I would recommend this kit for modelers with moderate to advanced experience. IF you wish to push for skills, this would be a good kit to stretch your legs so to speak. This kit is available directly from Thetis Models (www.thetismodels.com) and is priced at €119.00 (or about $125.00 US). For the price, you will get a lot for your money.

My thanks to Thetis Models for providing this review sample.