| The German Torpedo Boat B-98 was launched
by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg February 1st, 1915. With her Sistership
B-97, these destroyer size ships so impressed the German High command that
they ordered an additional four. They proved to be very good at reconnaissance
and their sea keeping capabilities were very good. All six took part in
the battle of Jutland. B-98 as part of Flotilla II received minor damage. |
 |
This new kit from NNT can be used to build any of the six
Blohm & Voss big destroyers, B-97-97, and B-110-112.
|
| SPECIFICATIONS: |
|
| Length |
|
98m |
| Width |
|
9,35mm |
| Armament |
|
4 Rapid firing 8.8cm guns replaced by |
|
|
4 10.5 cm guns |
|
|
6 50 cm Torpedoes in single tubs |
| Speed |
|
36 Knots |
| Crew |
|
114 |
|
| HULL |
|
| The hull is very well cast, with really fine detailing. The only real
trace of flash is at the waterline where it is simple to remove. The hull
included cast on bollards and even hatches with hinge detail! The funnel
location is marked by scribed lines. |
click images
to enlarge
 |
| The overhanging portion of the foredeck is well done and
the under hanging surfaces are clean and sharp. Note the air intake pipes
are well formed and unbroken.
|
| SUPERSTRUCTURE AND DETAILS |
|
| The small parts are just as well done with bridge details having cast
on ladder detail as fine as if you used photo etch replacements. The main
guns are pretty fine as are the individual torpedo tubes. My one complaint
is that the funnels are not hollowed out. |
 |
|
|
| PHOTO ETCH |
|
| A small photo etch fret is included. It is custom made by Eduard for
NNT and is relief etched. It included etched chain and some really nice
boat davits. Railing are not included, but most of us have plenty in our
spare parts boxes. |
 |
| DECALS |
|
| A sharply rendered flag is also included |
 |
| INSTRUCTIONS |
|
| The instructions are three pages of history, and assembly
views. The parts location is shown fairly well with each part being numbered.
But I think there is room for improvement here. A few extra views would
really help make the assembly a little clearer. But this is not a complicated
model and most modelers will have no trouble figuring out where everything
goes.
|
|
|
| CONCLUSIONS |
|
| One thing I rally want to point out on this and other NNT kits that
I have seen. They are packaged extremely well. When you open the sturdy
cardboard box you will find all parts tucked in bubble wrap with all the
parts nicely sorted in individually sealed pockets. This ensures that the
parts arrive safe and sound and I wish all resin manufactures would follow
this example. |
 |
 A
very nicely detailed kit, that will make a handsome addition to your Early
German Navy. This would be good kit to try for a first resin kit, if you
have experience with photo etch.
This is kit #NNT 70012 with a retail price of 36.00 Euros. Thanks to
NNT
Modell for the review sample, check their online website for NNT kits
and more. |
