Blue Ridge Models 1/700 USS Ward

[PetrolGator]

Blue Ridge Models continues to impress with yet another massive update on an older kit. The Midship Ward was a decent kit that was generally lacking due to her many poorly cast white metal pieces. Thankfully the folks responsible for this line have remedied this with new, crisp resin parts and better photo etch.

The kit comes in a small box with the resin bits packaged in bubble wrap for protection. Blue Ridge even saw fit to provide the modeler with extra styrene necessary to complete her masts and whatnot, though some modelers will opt for brass. It's a nice thought and shows that the company cares.

Casting is excellent with only one bubble needed easy repair. The hull is largely free of overpour and is clean or cleaner than many new styrene kits.

As a benefit, the model comes with the small midget sub sunk on December 7th so the modeler may show her in a diorama.

The instructions are fairly simple, but that does not detract from the model. Construction is simple and really requires little else. Blue Ridge DID provide excellent details on how to build her masts and rigging which really is about the most complex bit of this kit.

USS Ward comes highly recommended. This is a relatively cheap model and a great introduction to resin kit making.

I'll post pictures once I get home. I REALLY like this little kit.

[PetrolGator]

Photos:

[Zad Fnark]

I just got mine this week. I'm probably going to have a water scene with it paired up with Langley.

Unfortunately, mine came without instructions. Hoping they'll mail some to me.

Thanks for the review. It fully matches what I've seen.

Ed-

[PetrolGator]

I can take some photographs of my instructions, if it'll help. Shoot me a PM with your email and I'll get them to you.

[Pagodaphile]

From the photos, the entire bridge seems to be a solid part of the hull casting, is this true ? Disappointing for those wishing to detail the wheelhouse area with PE windows etc. Simply casting the windows and roof separately would have been a nice touch.

[PetrolGator]

From the photos, the entire bridge seems to be a solid part of the hull casting, is this true ? Disappointing for those wishing to detail the wheelhouse area with PE windows etc. Simply casting the windows and roof separately would have been a nice touch.

While I'm inclined to agree on having the option, I don't find it too inconvenient to have it initially attached. I have the same issues with my Fujimi BB kits, having to cut plastic for PE. Keep in mind that BRM is trying to keep costs down by using the old Midship molds with improvements.

[blw]

Your scuttles look much better defined than my sample. Did you drill them out, or is that the way they came out of the box?

[PetrolGator]

I haven't edited the model in any way.

[sirpaul]

I just got mine this week. I'm probably going to have a water scene with it paired up with Langley.

Unfortunately, mine came without instructions. Hoping they'll mail some to me.

Thanks for the review. It fully matches what I've seen.

Ed-

Keep waiting. In my opinion Freetimes CS sucks and so do old resin kits!

[PetrolGator]

I just got mine this week. I'm probably going to have a water scene with it paired up with Langley.

Unfortunately, mine came without instructions. Hoping they'll mail some to me.

Thanks for the review. It fully matches what I've seen.

Ed-

Keep waiting. In my opinion Freetimes CS sucks and so do old resin kits!

Really? I've got the Blue Ridge Oklahoma, Nevada, Ward, and one of their German cruisers. Every single ship is well cast and has comparable detail to many of my 1/350 ships (WITH photo etch, brass barrels, and wood decking where applicable.) I spent less on my Oklahoma to get a complete, in the box kit than I did on a styrene Fujimi battleship with the needed photo etch, barrels, and aftermarket. For what you get in box, these little resin kits are a DEAL and go together better than Combrig.

I'm sorry to hear about your experience with their customer service. I've had incredible luck with having parts replaced, even when *I* broke them. Hell, I've had them send me entire photo etch sets simply because there was a problem with one or two severely bent pieces. Phone calls ALWAYS result in someone answering and a solution being found. This is, honestly, the first time I've everheard of Freetime having bad customer service, from anyway.

Zad, give them a call. Make sure you ask for Brandon, since he's their ship guy. You'll get your instructions quickly.

[Zad Fnark]

Not an issue anymore. Brandon emailed me an electronic version of the instructions fairly quickly.

All is good...

Ed-