USS Oliver Hazard Perry Class FFG
Revell 1/700
I thought that doing a quick workbench review of a kit was a good idea. This review is of Revell AG's O.H. Perry 1/700 model.
This model is a reissue of the Skywave kit with the inclusion of a lower hull so that the full hull version can be made as well. On opening the kit I was damn impressed. This kit is tiny... I never realised how small the Perry FFG's really were ( about 7.5" inches overall). I'd never bought the Skywave kit but judging from the crisp, tiny detail the moulds are still in great shape. The lower hull was very well executed and fit to the upper hull looks very good. It was a struggle to decide to build this waterline because the full hull would look so nice! One major disappointment is the decals. About the only usable thing on them is the ships name and side numerals. The rest of the decal is oversize and not very sharp. Get GMM replacement decals!
One mistake in the instructions would have you build this as a short hull Perry and then put a SH-60 SeaHawk (LAMPS III) on board her. WRONG! If you use the short transom (the part immediately behind the hull moulding (pt 60) then put the Sea King chopper (LAMPS I) on board. If you want the SeaHawk then use the extended transom (pt 53).
The detail parts come from a Skywave detail sprue that's included in the kit. They are the usual good standard. One disappointment on the moulding is the concave areas on the hull that shrunk when the plastic cooled. It left several depressions in the side of the hull. They were easy to fix but you should be aware of them.
I'd recommend this kit highly...with the exception of the decals. I've already ordered GMM detail parts and decals to compensate and detail this beautiful little kit. It's a good value and the superstructure side detail is really gonna be nice with a wash to bring attention to it.