Subject: SMML VOL 2998 Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 02:16:27 +1100 The Ship Modelling Mailing List (SMML) is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com For infomation on how to Post to SMML and Unsubscribe from SMML http//smmlonline.com/aboutsmml/rules.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Trumpeter Slava -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1 WW2 Naval Weapons ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Pieter Cornelissen Subject Trumpeter Slava Last wednesday I bought the Trumpeter Slava for 14.49 euros. I also have the Kombrig kit which includes PE for the radars and a decal set (I've written an in the box review which can be found in the SMML archives) and I have decided to build all the subassemblies of the Trumpeter kit and to compare the two kits. Let me state beforehand that I have nothing to do with either manufacturere and that I have both positive and negative experiences with kits from both manufacturers (yes, Kombrig makes mistakes; I have a Parzizhkaya Kommuna which is a disaster). The first impresssion is a bit worrying. The lower hull of the Trumpeter kit does not fit under the Kombrig upper hull as it is 5mm short in lenght and about 2 mm in beam. Ou comes "The book", Warships of the USSR and Russia 1945-2000 by Pavlov and Friedman. The Trumpeter kit is about right in overall beam (which should be 30 mm) but about 2 mm short in length compared to published sources (Pavlov and Friedman) while the Kombrig kit is about 1 mm to large in overall beam and right in length. Trumpeter's upper hull has a sharper knuckle so the difference becomes more pronounced at waterline level. Kombrig's hull seems to be about right compared to the drawing in Pavlov. I have compared this drawing and the pictures of Marshal Ustinov in 'Slava Udaloy and Sovremenny' with the hulls of the two kits. While the difference in 'sharpness' of the hull may be correctable this is not the case with another hull shape problem. The Slava class have a very recognisable forward deck form which has parallel sides up to the point where the Bazal't missile cannisters end and a gradual turn of the deck sides until the forward end of the hull. Trumpeter's hull starts to turn too early and is more arrow-shaped when seen from above. When seen from the side the original vessel has a slight 'S' form towards the bow. Kombrig captures this shape beautifully while Trumpeter has a simple sheer cure which starts to go up too far forward. As a consequence of this the forward superstructure, 130mm mount and missile cannisters sit too low. This is very noticable when you see the two kits side by side. There are also small fit problems between the deck and the hull, the deck is severely scratched and has a few sink marks. When I glued the upper hull and lower hull together I ran into some small fit problems. Once together the result looks rathes top-heavy as the lower hull is really that small. So small in fact that with some minor surgery the lower hull will fit under a Kombrig Kara (pr.1134B) or maybe even a Kresta 2. One thing that is better in the Trumpeter kit is the approach to the Bazal't missile cannisters which have the space between the support structure and the bridge superstructure open instead of closed as per Kombrig. But due to the hull problems the shape of the support structures is wrong. Also, the fire control radar for the Fort (SA-N-6) SAM missile is much better in the Trumpeter kit. The rest of the superstructure looks nice, overscale ladders but that seems to be the only problem. There is off course the difference between a resin kit and injection molding to be accounted for. The 20 part approach to the funnel/radar tower structure by Trumpeter gives a nice result (with typical Skywave over heavy surface detail) but it is not in the same league as the beautiful one piece casting by Kombrig. This is basically what you pay for when ordering a resin kit. Smaller parts are a mixed bag with the Trumpeter kit. The 130 mm gun mount is nice (finally!) and may end up on my Frunze (also Trumpeter but with a different weapons sprue). The helicopter is much better than the old Skywave Ka-27. The Kombrig kit includes a Ka-25 so I cannot compare the two. The Osa-M (SA-N-4) missiles and launchers are nice and the missiles are the first in 1/700. The Fort (SA-N-6) VLS launchers are nice in both kits, Trumpeter gives you the reload structures while Kombrig does not. The fire control radars for Osa-M are plain plastic cubes however. Trumpeter gives you the right set of ships' boats while Kombrig does not (Kombrig includes the boats for a Sovremenny). Astonishingly the RBU 6000 rocket launchers in the Trumpeter kit are attached to the sprue by a sprue gate that starts at the rocket tubes! This make them unusable. Kombrig RBU's and 30mm guns are ultra-sharp and in scale. Decals are wrong with Trumpeter in having only white letters instead of the gold-ish color on the original. And no letters for Slava. Kombrig has better decals but also does not include 'Slava'. Radars are curved pieces of plastic in the Trumpeter kit but that is normal in 1/700 injection molded plastic kits. Kombrig gives you the radars in stainless steel PE. The Kombrig PE is very difficult to work with however as the steel used is too thick to be able to give it uniform curvature. So both the Trumpeter and the Kombrig kit need the GMM Soviet Cruiser-Destroyer set. Trumpeter's instructions are very good, the Kombrig instructions are no more than a starting point for research and include a serious mistake as the Top Steer radar is drawn the wrong way. Conclusion I am disappointed. For about 15 euros you get a nice weekend project which will result into something that kind of looks like a Slava from a large distance. Maybe my resources or wrong or I did something wrong in measuring the kits and interpreting the pictures, but I really think this mistake is serious enough to recommend the (60-ish euros) Kombrig kit over the Trumpeter kit. The hull shape probably cannot be corrected and the problem goes on in the rest of the kit. I really like the availability of injection molded plastic kits which we didn't even dream of 5 years ago and I do hope Trumpeter will go on releasing 1/700 Soviet vessels. And judging from the Kirov's (which are very good) they are able to release well researched and accurate kits. It is just that I cannot recommend the Trumpeter Slava. Pieter Cornelissen Delft The Netherlands ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From WVeigele@aol.com Subject WW2 Naval Weapons For information and links to other sites for ww2 navy weapons see www.astralpublishing.com/american-weapons-used-in-ww2.html Bill Veigele ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume