1/700 Russian BB Soviet Union (Combrig)
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by David J. Salvin |
1/700 Russian BB Soviet Union (Combrig)
The latest oddity from my favorite patron is the planned (but unbuilt) Russian Battleship Soviet Union by Combrig.The hull and resin parts are well executed. Crisp molding and better than average detailing for a resin kit. Fit and finish of the parts is reasonably well done as well. Where this kit lacks is in the “buildability” department. While this is not a kit for beginners, or those unused to working with resin, little has been done to actually make the kit easy to build or to get a good result. To begin with, the kit’s parts have no numbers. The modeler is left to squint over the pictures in the instructions to figure out exactly which tiny part goes where. For most of the parts of the kit, the lack of numbers is not a big deal as there are only a few dozen resin parts to work with. A well done fret of PE accompanies the kit, but those parts too lack numbers, and divining exactly which strut or supporting beam goes where can be a bit of a challenge. Best chance in this arena is to count the number of a particular part called for and find that number of identical parts of the fret. This gets you there 99% of the time. However, I opted to skip the railings as provided because Combrig chose to skip the last horizontal rung on the railings leaving the modeler to try and fit the rails using only as much glue as one can get on the end of each rail stanchion. A feat I have learned is NOT the path to an enjoyable build or an optimal outcome. The better bet is to use an aftermarket set of railings for the time period that utilize the bottom rail to allow the modeler to glue the railing to the deck. Again, while the PE fret is reasonably good, the kit’s instructions lack any mention of where to put the railings save for a few areas like the catapult. But again, as the ship was never actually built, use your best instincts as to where to put the rails. No one can call you on it since the ship never existed.
Speaking of parts called for and things never existing, I might mention that the kit, as designed, constructed, and distributed by the company, lacks enough AA turrets to complete the ship. The rack of AA turrets clearly only has six parts on it, but the ship calls for eight. Apparently, the company realized their mistake, and will send you two additional turrets (and barrels for the turrets) if you can reach them on their Facebook page. But will not give you back the hour you spent looking for the last two AA turrets you assumed you lost but never existed in the first place.
Also missing were any decals for the floatplane. (Few simple red stars would have been nice).
As for finishing the ship, since it was never actually built, it’s anybody’s guess as to rigging, colors etc. I went with my best guest based upon the few pictures available of other Russian and Soviet ships of the era and later periods.
