The Ship Model Forum

Just got this via Starling Models and first impressions are stunning! The moulding is very crisp with just a little flash to remove and a few tiny bubbles on the underside of the hull - nothing above the waterline. The etch is very comprehensive with many small parts so definitely not for the beginner. The railings do not have a continuous 'rail' along the bottom, just the stantions, so gluing the railings will be tricky, but they are all pre cut to size! Instructions are very good, with exploded views showing part placement and numbers with a full colour plan showing both sides of the camouflage pattern. The only possible down side I've seen so far is the wings for the 6 planes included with the kit are made of resin - never seen this before so don't know how difficult it will be to avoid damaging them when you remove them - maybe etched brass would have been better? I haven't measured the kit for complete accuracy, but it certainly looks the part! We've had 'Hermes' from Flyhawk, now 'Vindictive' from AJM - how about 'Argus','Glorious/Courageous' or 'Eagle' to compare them to? I can dream...!

Steve Jones

Agree with Steve's assessment; just got my HMS Vindictive kit a few days ago and it'll complement the WWI-era Carrier 1/700 HMS Furious; and HMS Glorious and Courageous light battle cruisers with flying off platforms and aircraft aboard. Think I'll do mine to show HMS Vindictive in 1919 serving in the Baltic against the Bolsheviks.

Here is the review (in German) of the new AJM 1/700 kit:
http://www.modellmarine.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4936:ajm-models-britischer-flugzeugtraeger-hms-vindictive-1700&catid=508:ajm-models

My conclusion from the review is:

A good and complete kit. But there are some problems:
a) the armour belt at bow and stern is too massive, which looks especially at the stern wrong.
b) the armour midships (and the hull sides) is not inclined, but in a 90° angle to the waterline (but that is difficult to see on photos of the real ship)
c) the packaging was not optimal, a lot of broken parts
d) the surface of some superstructure parts is not always smooth, but some signs of the printing is visible (especially on the hangar and bridge)
e) Grain Griffin aircraft are missing (https://navalairhistory.com/2013/01/22/the-mythical-griffin/)
f) the crash barrier lacks the finer lines

With this points fixed, a very good model should be possible.

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Yes, it looks like it should be a good model. I for one will be getting it as soon as I can. It has a great Camo scheme!

Ray

Ahoi Steve Jones!

....==> how about 'Argus','Glorious/Courageous' or 'Eagle' to compare them to? I can dream...!<==....

stop dreaming-- get your credit card out!!



Argus is available as a 3 |D print from Shapeways--tempted myself....
https://www.shapeways.com/product/EM7N4 ... rgus-1-700

get the ultrafrosted version-- much better!

https://www.shapeways.com/product/EM7N4 ... d=60887193


Glorious/ Courageous/ post 1920's refit ==> WW2 are available from HP models- not without flaws but can be built to a decent model

Furious post refit ==> WW2 also available HP Models http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... rious.html

Eagle is availabe from HP models - looks quite good starting point http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

Furious WW1 available from Loose Cannon models -- http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... rious.html

Courageous/ Furious/Glorious pre conversion available from Admiralty modelworks http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... index.html

happy modelmaking!

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....I buy them at three times the speed I build 'em.... will I live long enough to empty my stash...?
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

IPMS UK SIG (special interest group) www.finewaterline.com

One thing about Argus, she had her flight deck some 3m above the rest of the ship supported by a lattice structure. This is very difficult to do in 3d printing. I am still hoping for a kit based on a resin or 3d hull with Pe deck support version to appear.

That is true, that would be very hard to correct, i.e. to remove the flight deck, model everything on the upper deck, design the lattice structure...

3D printed models are nice for modern warships and if the model is designed for 1/700. If the model would be designed for 1/700, perhaps also older ships would be fine.

But back to Vindictive: for me is that until now the most exiting new kit in 2017.

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Has anyone started or completed this kit? I'm looking forward to any progress reports/reviews/photos.

Does anyone know whether the top of flight decks was wood or steel and what color it should be painted; instructions seem to indicate white? I'm about ready to start my kit soon and wondered if anyone else has started/completed this kit?