Starling Models Review

Starling Models
1/700 British Battleships Set 1

Reviewed by Martin J Quinn
April 2018

Starling Models has released of photo-etch detail set for British Battleships of the Second World War, British Battleships Set 1. The set includes cranes for several different classes of ships, inclined ladders, doors, radars, 20mm guns, railings and other small parts.

Click to enlarge images

THE FRET

The fret has seven cranes, which will fit the King George V class (2 cranes), rebuilt Renown (2 cranes) Nelson (1 crane) and Queen Elizabeth or Valiant (2 cranes). Detail is good. There are also different styles and patterns of doors with relief etching, inclined ladders, radars, details for searchlights, oars for the ships boats, props for the Walrus aircraft, and 20mm guns. Everything looks good, aside from the 20mm guns, which I was not really impressed with.

Close ups of some of the fret details.

INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions consist of one side of a piece of paper. Here you'll find a parts list as well as a small photo of the fret, some notes on constructing the cranes, along with photos of the completed cranes and the finished Type 291 radar. I would have liked to have seen some additional detail, such as diagrams showing how to fold the cranes. Regardless, this should do the job for most modelers.

CONCLUSIONS

There are many choices for modelers looking to add extra details to their models these days, from basic sets to super detail sets. This set falls somewhere in the middle. It's got plenty of parts, but shouldn't break the bank. I think it would be a good option for modelers who want to add detail to their British battlewagons, but don't want have the desire - or budget - to super detail. This is Starling Models British Battleship Set 1. The set retails for £12, which is currently about $17.00 USD, and is available from Starling Models. Thanks to Starling Models for the review sample. Recommended.