Carlo Bergamini frigate is the first ship of FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigate) class, operated by the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) and is also the first ship of the GP (General Purpose) version.

The other version of the Italian FREMM is the ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare), and four ships of this version are due to be delivered to the Italian Navy of a 10 ship class. The remaining 6 ships will be the GP Version.

Although each version has special abilities, both versions have important aeronautical capacity, including a double hangar that can accommodate two NH-90 helicopters and / or drones.

This ships are considered the 2nd generation of stealth frigates (after “La Fayete” class frigate), and are a joint program carried out by France and Italy, currently in service in the Italian Navy, Marine Nationale (French Navy), Royal Moroccan Navy and Egyptian Navy.

More information:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FREMM_multipurpose_frigate
• http://navalanalyses.blogspot.pt/2014/08/bergamini-class-fremm-frigates-of.html

The impressive single piece waterline resin hull cast also has the correct dimensions as for the helicopter flight deck is concern.

In fact the Italian FREMM Bergamini is 144,6 m (474 ft) longer when compared with 142 m (466 ft) of the French FREMM Aquitaine, and the new version now released also reflects this difference (3,7mm at 1/700 scale is itself not unimportant) when compared with the Bath 1 edition, providing a more realist and accurate model at this scale.
 

• Single piece waterline resin hull;
• Main sprue with all resin parts;
• Complete PE set;
• Resin sprue with 2x NH-90 Helicopters parts;
• PE Set for 2x NH-90 Helicopters;
• Decal sheet for all ships of this class;
• Instruction sheets.

The GP version requires (1x) Oto Breda 127/64 mm gun and (1x) OTO Melara 76/62 mm gun located on the forecastle.

The ASW version is equipped two OTO Melara 76/62 mm guns (one located on the forecastle and the other on the Oto Breda 127/64 mm gun location) as well as two chaff dispensers (part 23).

All remaining parts are common to both versions.
 

This kit is cast as a single piece waterline resin hull, with remarkable moulded details, including the VLS cells, air vents and life raft canisters, among other details, and the sample I’ve got was almost perfect as far as the need of sand paper and corrections is concern.

Resin Parts:

• There is a single sprue for the remaining parts to be applied on the hull, which include among others:
• FWD and AFT masts;
• Large Selex SPY-790 Radar on top of the FWD mast;
• Oto Breda 127/64 mm gun (1x);
• OTO Melara 76/62 mm gun (2x);
• SSM missile canisters (4x);
• Oto Melara/Oerlikon 25/80 mm remote weapon systems (2x);
• Multiple Sensors, radars and SAT Domes;
• Decoy and jammers systems;
• Gun Directors;
• RHIB’s (2x);
• Etc.

Also included is a specific photo etch further explained below.
 

An extra photo etch set is provided just for the NH-90 helicopters and includes the main and tail rotor blades for two helicopters, with two sets for the folded option and one set for the extend version as well as the tail horizontal stabilizers.

For those modellers who wish to go even further beyond, there is a super-detail photo etch set for this Bergamini FREMM,  available at Regia Marina M.A.S. Models.
 

As this kit allows to build the ASW or the GP version of the Italian FREMM, the alternative parts location and options are clearly identified and should allow the modellers to build the chosen version this kit without any major troubles.

The location of the decals and PE parts are also very clear, having in consideration that the AFT mast requires 12 PE parts to be fixed to the resin mast!
 

This great value kit is available at Gwylan Model website for £27,50 (about €35,75) which is indeed an excellent price for such a highly quality, detailed and complete resin kit with photo etch parts and decals for all ships of the class.

Check other Gwylan Models kits at the website.