The Yavis began life as the SMS Goeben.
She was laid down in 1909, at Blohm & Voss dockyard in Germany. The
Goeben was a member of the Moltke class battlecruiser. At the
beginning of WW1 the Goeben operated with the German Navy in the Mediterranean.
She was hunted by the British fleet, but successfully evaded and sailed
to Turkish waters. There she was sold to the Ottoman Empire to and entered
the war against Russia in the Black Sea. Renamed the Yavuz she bombarded
Russian harbors and the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. She
survived the war and sat out WW2 with the Turkish Navy. Remarkably she
survived until 1976 when she was scrapped. |
This new kit from NNT represents the Yavuz later in her
career. |
SPECIFICATIONS: |
|
Length |
|
186.5 m |
Width |
|
29.5 mm |
Displacement |
|
22,979 tons light
25,400 full load |
Armament |
|
10 x 280 mm
10 x 150 mm
4 x 88 mm
14 x 40 mm
12 x 20 mm |
Speed |
|
27.1 Knots |
Crew |
|
1300 |
|
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 open chocks and even hatches with hinge detail! The deck
is finely scribed with fine wood planking. |
click images
to enlarge
![](yavuz-02.gif) |
|
SUPERSTRUCTURE |
|
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 various structures are very well cast, and the funnel is amazing with
it's hollowed out appearance and built in grates. Vent detail on the funnels
are really well done and really stand out even in this small scale. Platforms
and splinter shields are thin and well done. |
![](yavuz-03.gif) |
![Buildup from NNT website](yavuz-05.gif) |
|
ARMAMENT AND DETAILS |
|
The main gun turrets are sharp and well cast. Ships boats
and small guns are well done. Some of the parts are extremely delicate
and it is amazing that they can be cast out of resin.
|
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. |
![](yavuz-pe-01.gif) |
DECALS |
|
A sharply rendered flag is also included |
![](yavuz-decal-01.gif) |
INSTRUCTIONS |
|
The instructions are five pages of specifications, 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.
|
CONCLUSIONS |
|
One thing I really 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 Turkish
Navy. It will make quite a conversation piece posed alongside the more
modern ships of era.
This is kit #NNT 70028 with a retail price of 82.00 Euros. Thanks to
NNT
Modell for the review sample, check their online website for NNT kits
and more. |