by Kieran Griffith
1/384 HMS Hood (Lindberg)
This is a very interesting model kit, if you can call it a model, it is more akin to a toy with its lack of detail and obvious innacuracies throughout the build. However it has one HUGE redeeming factor, it is GIGANTIC! My model is almost 30 inches long, I also built a solid wood base to give the model some class in place of the tacky plastic "holder uppers" the kit came with. Provided you are not too familiar with the design of the actual Hood and, if you have good eyesight are standing about 1 meter away from the model it is an IMMENSELY impressive model for its sheer size. It gets "oohs" and "ahhhs" from many who enter the room the model is on display. On looking at the HMS Hood website I found out that even though this kit was originally buit for motorization the stern below the waterline is supprizingly accurate. The kit lacks the torpedo bulges which made me think that perhaps this might be an accurate kit of one of the earlier incarnations of HMS Hood, (launched in 1920) which from 1929 through the 30s got multiple refits that changed its appearance somewhat. In any case this is a stupendously impressive model and being 1/384th scale it is the largest on the market, (Heller sells a 1/400 kit that is supposed to be the worst they ever have produced.) and I am glad I built it.
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