Combrig 1:350 Indefatigable

[ted0330]

I love the British 1st generation dreadnoughts. It was thus thrilling to me to see Combrig begin releasing 1:350 kits of these ships. I am building an example of each of the British battlecruiser classes, and bought the Combrig 1:350 Indefatigable.

It is a very impressive resin kit. I have never seen resin cast so perfectly. There is almost no flash on even the smallest parts. The hull is cast hollow in a top and bottom piece. The bilge keels are beautifully thin and smooth. There was some difficulty fitting the top to the bottom, which required heating and putty to correct, followed by extensive sanding. I then drilled out the portholes to restore them.

The instructions are very spare, but sufficient for this ship, whose superstructure elements are minimal. It helps to have reference photos. Mine came from 'Clydebank Battlecruisers'.

Combrig kits do not come with railings. I used leftover railings from a Dreadnought build. It does come with excellent photo etch parts, including gun shields, mast stars, ladders and boat platforms. Like the resin, the PE is perfectly made. So many ladders have steps that are out of scale.. These are elegantly perfect.

The masts, cranes and prop shafts must be scratch built. This was a bit intimidating for me, as I had not done it before, but in fact it is straightforward. The instructions give templates for every piece. I made mine from brass tubing, steel wire and styrene rods. The result was terrific, and they are strong enough to rig completely without fear of warping or bending.

I used an Artwox deck, which gives a fantastic finish to the kit. All finishing details, such as anchors, vents and capstans were perfectly made. I added hose reels left over from Dreadnought.

My only bone with the kit is the supports for the after superstructure upper deck. These are perfectly made in brass, just like the prototype. Unfortunately they are small, delicate and have no allowance for drilling deck placement holes. Ultimately I gave them up and fashioned my own supports from styrene with an adequate gluing base. A minor redesign of these parts would make them functional.

This kit requires significant scratchbuilding skills, rather more than my prior review of ISW's Queen Mary. Even more than that fine kit, this one is a joy to build, forgives minor errors and makes for a great display model.

Ted T

[litvin70]

Hello, Ted.
Have you any photos your Indefatigable?