Combrig HMS Inflexible

Reviewed August  2021
by Christopher Martens
HISTORY
HMS Inflexible was a Victorian Age battleship commissioned in 1881 as an answer to combat the perceived threat posed by the Italian Navy. At the time of her completion, she boasted the larged main battery on any British warship. With armor almost entirely concentrated in a "box" around her vitals, one may also say she was one of the first "all or nothing" designs. In addition, she was the first Royal Navy ship to be fully fitted with electricity. Conversely, she was still a muzzle-loaded battleship as her guns were entirely too long to be loaded from the rear. 

This kit is of particular interest because Inflexible reflects a transitional and often experimental period of naval design. This vessel is characterized by a juxtoposition of early- to mid- 1800's elements (breech loading guns and full rig) and turn of the century concepts (turrets, all-or-nothing armor, eletricity.) 

HMS Inflexible's only real action was during the Urabi Revolt, where she suffered more damage from the back blast of her 16 inch guns than those pointed at her. Interestingly, her skipper at the time was none other than John Arbuthnut Fisher, commonly known as "Jackie" to his friends and colleagues. As many of you know, Jackie Fisher would go on to the highest echelon of the navy, later being responsible for spearheading the development of both dreadnought and battlecruiser-type vessels. The rest of the ship's career was relatively quiet until her disposal in 1903. 

Combrig's kit presents the ship as she was completed, in 1881 with her full rig. 

THE HULL 
As with many of Combrig's newest kits, Inflexible's hull is absolutely covered in well-defined detail. Hatches, supports, and ventilation hatches cover the hull. The quality of the resin is such that photo etch replacement parts would likely add little. 

SUPERSTRUCTURE, CONNING TOWER, AND FUNNELS
As with any Combrig kit, superstructure parts are present on a thin wafer or runner. Detail continues to impress. I chose to do a bit of test fitting between the forward/aft superstructure and the hull and noted a minimal gap. Filling and removing evidence of its existence should not be far beyond the skill of an average modeler
 

MISCELLANEOUS PARTS, FITTINGS, AND BITS
Combrig includes a myraid of small resin parts for everything from paravines to anchors. These parts are presented on Combrig's usual strip wafers. I'm particularly shocked with the quality of the winches. Detail is incredible, on par with many modern resin and 3D printed options. One of these wafers also contains her 20-pound breech-loaders, likely some of the last fit to a British vessel. These were replaced by BL 4" guns in 1885.

 MAIN ARMAMENT
Inflexible was equipped with two turrets boasting two 16" Armstrong guns. The weapons are extremely well-crafted in this kit and appear accurate from photographs. 

SHIP'S BOATS
The ships' boats are, by far, the best options Combrig has offered with their kits. Again, these are on par with many cutting edge offerings from well-respected aftermarket options. 

 
PHOTOETCH
Combrig's comprehensive photo etch set contains everything that is needed to complete this vessel. There is minimal relief etching, but what's offered is very good. 

INSTRUCTIONS
Photos below are snapshots from Combrig's instruction manual. Instructions are intuitive, clear, and also offer in-scale sizing brass stock needed for masts and some crane booms. Full instructions can be found at: HMS Inflexibles's Instructions, 1881

CONCLUSIONS

Inflexible represents not only a strange transitional period of warship design, but provides a unique link in Admiral Fisher's expansive career in the Royal Navy. Combrig's kit is, unsurprisingly, incredible. As with all of their newer kits, you'll need to make the masts, but this is a good thing. Brass masts and halyards tend to bend less with rigging. 

Thank you to both Modelwarships and Combrig for this review sample. I will thoroughly enjoy building it.