Admiral Kuznetsov - 1/720 Italeri

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Russian Aircraft Carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov"
Italieri 1/720

By: Mike Dunn

I normally stick to the standard model scales (1/350, 1/600 or 1/700) but when this kit came along, I was willing to ease my personal restrictions slightly (after all, it's nearly 1/700!), as it's a model of a navy I'm getting a nice little collection of, namely the Soviet/post-Soviet Navy.

The "Kuznetsov" has, in post-Soviet years, been renamed to "Tbilisi", and is a follow-on from the "Kiev" class of the mid-70s. Unlike her predecessors, she has little in the way of missile armaments, relying as she does on her air arm and escorts; again unlike her predecessors, she is a single-role vessel.

The box is quite large (47cm x 16cm x 6cm) with reasonable artwork that should provide a decent reference if original material is unavailable. The instructions are on a single sheet, double-sided, with the first page giving a short run-down of the vessel, followed by a side and top profile showing the main colours and decals. The remainder of the sheet is of the three sprues, numbering all the parts (a slight waste of space, as the sprues are fully numbered). Turning over, you get the usual warnings, and the paint list in Model Master and FS numbers (not being a modeller who uses either of these, I would have appreciated some alternatives, but this can be worked around). The other ¾ of the sheet is the actual modelling instructions, broken into three major steps.

Part one is the hull, flight-deck and prop assembly, with information on converting this full-hull model to waterline. Paint and decal guides are included, and this is a straight-forward and clear step. Part two concentrates on the island, and is broken into three stages : the first is the assembly of the major parts; the second is the addition of the larger detailing; and the final stage is the addition of the smaller detailing. Again, paint and decal guides are available. While more cluttered than the first part, this section is again reasonable.

Part three consists of the remaining detailing parts for the hull and flight-deck, as well as the aircraft (MIG-29 and SU-27 are provided). While looking cluttered at first, a little study pays off. Again, paint and decal guides are available. Overall, the instructions are adequate. I would have preferred the part guide to have been dropped, and more attention paid to the actual assembly instructions, but I see no major problems from the provided guide.

As I have mentioned decals, let us have a look at them. They are provided on a single sheet, and there are 26 types on the sheet (some are duplicated, such as the red stars for the aircraft). A nice feature is the option to have either of the names on the vessel, together with the relevant pennant number. Seven parking spots are identified, as are the three main runways, with associated baffles. Quality is good, with minimal material outside the printing.

Looking at the plastic, there are three sprues. The first has the two hull parts, with plenty of connections to the sprue - the result is a good hull. The only problem is on the bottom of the hull where some filling will be required (this is caused by the plastic sinking along the lines of the lugs to mate the two halves), although this won't bother waterline modellers.

The second sprue has one major piece and numerous parts. The largest is what will be the base of the model for waterline usage. The remainder consists of the aircraft (seven MIG-29s and seven SU-27s), the full-hull supports, the four prop-shafts and propellers, the rudders, various antennae, liferafts, ships boats, etc. The only problem on this example is the stern rail piece, where insufficient plastic went into the mould - the end result is a partial guard-rail in the stern-piece that will have to be replaced, probably by photo-etch if I have any suitable pieces.

The final sprue has the flight-deck as it's main part, with the remainder being the main island items, and associated detailing. One thing to note on the flight-deck - all the decal markings are raised, so you don't have to use the decals themselves if you prefer not to. I must admit I don't like this "feature", as it means you have to be absolutely spot-on with the placement, but I guess it's horses for courses. There is a rectangular hole in the flight-deck; this is for the raising of one of the three baffles, to allow the simulation of an aircraft ready to depart. I would have preferred to have one of the hanger lifts to have been in the lowered position, but this may be possible without too much trouble (it's hard to tell from the instructions and just looking at the parts; it would have to be investigated during assembly).

Overall, it's a nice kit. The decals are plentiful and well-printed; the plastic is mainly without flaws and has very little flashing; the instructions are usable. The fact that it's a shade too small to really fit into a collection of 1/700 models shouldn't be held against it, not until others of this class are available in the "proper" scales. It will make a nice addition to a group of Soviet/post-Soviet ships or as a diorama.