reviewed by Timothy Dike
December 2013 |
The HDMS Absalom L-16 is the lead ship of a new flexible support ship.
Along with her sistership, Esbern Snare (L17), these ships are designed
to operate as command and support ships in an international role. They
have the weapons capability of a typical destroyer with the ability to
deliver combat vehicles or support equipment to distant ports. They are
constructed to have a very low radar return in the face of modern opponents
with the flexibility to deal with even the most primitive of enemies.
Recently the Absalon has been very involved in counter-piracy mission
off Somalia and the east coast of Africa. Serving as the Danish flagship
Absalon helped capture a number of pirates operating in the Gulf
of Aden. The ship has helped rescue the crews of many merchants vessels
held hostage by pirates. Today Absalon is helping to insure the free
passage of international shipping in some of the most dangerous waters
in the world.
NNT's newest release captures this stealthy new ship in 1/700 scale.
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| HULL |
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| The hull is nicely cast in waterline style with very little flash.
The hull and superstructure are nicely blended together as on the real
ship. Though this is a stealth ship there is still some sharp surface detailing.
Features such as the roll-up hanger doors are well done. The stern roll-on
roll-off (ro-ro) deck is hollowed out with a separately applied flight
deck to allow for more detailing. |
click images
to enlarge
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| WEAPONS AND DETAIL PARTS |
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| With so much of the superstructure incorporated into the
hull, there are few other major parts to add. The Mack and radar domes
are nicely cast. Many of the details are fine so care must be used to separate
them from the resin sprues. The 5" main gun includes a separate gun barrel,
The Westland Lynx is cast with very fine landing gear although I would
have preferred to have the tail boom cast onto the fuselage instead of
being separate. Also included are Harpoon launchers, ships boats, and RHIB's. |
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| DECALS |
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| A single decal sheet is included with hull number for Absalon (L16)
and sistership Esbern Snare (L17). Flight deck markings, roundels for the
Helo and flags are printed by Eduard in their usual sharp well registered
styles. |
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| PHOTO ETCH |
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| Deck ramps, helo rotors, and safety nets are nicely etched in
stainless steel by Eduard. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| The instructions consist of five pages with a brief history and a bill
of materials. The kit is shown assembled with numbered leaders indicating
parts locations. These are nice, but some good exploded view drawings to
supplement these would be nice. |
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| CONCLUSIONS |
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A sharp rendition of this new Royal Danish Navy stealthy ship, a nice complement
to your modern NATO Navy. Build one to help keep your 700 scale ship lanes
clear of Somali pirates.
This is kit #NNT 70040 HSMD Absalon L16 for $107.03 US or 77.00
EU. You can order yours direct
from NNT. |
