The first Hunt class escort destroyers were ordered in 1939 and were based on the Bittern class escort sloop, which measured 266 feet overall and were armed with 4-inch Mark XVI guns in three twin Mark XIX mounts. The original Hunt design was slightly larger at length of 278 feet 10 inches overall but with a narrower beam by approximately 8 feet when compared to the Bittern, or 28 feet 10 inches. The Hunts were to be armed with six 4-inch Mark XVI guns in three twin Mark XIX mounts. In addition, a quadruple QF 2-pounder Mark VII Pom Pom was fitted aft of the funnel. They also had a depth charge stowage of 40. Twenty ships were ordered in March and April of 1939.

It quickly became apparent that the Hunts had limitations. They were too short and narrow and with a limited range that made them unsuitable for the open oceans. So, they were restricted to convoy escort duties in the North Sea and the Mediterranean. In addition, the narrow beam resulted in the ships to be about 70 tons overweight, making them top heavy and very unstable. The first 20 ships were too far advanced in construction, so to compensate the “X” twin 4-inch gun mount was removed and 50 tons of ballast added. The quad Pom Pom was also relocated to the “X” position. These initial batch of ships became the Hunt Type I group.
The correct the design deficiency of the Type I, the hull was beam was increased to 31 feet 6 inches by splitting the hulls lengthwise and adding a 2.5-foot section. This increased the stability of the ship to allow for the designed armament of three twin 4-inch guns mounts and quad Pom Pom fitted aft of the funnel. In addition, depth charge stowage was increased to 110. The bridge was also redesigned with the compass platform extending forward to the wheelhouse face. These ships became the Type II group and 36 were ordered in late 1939. 

HMS Badsworth (pennant number L03) keel was laid down at the Birkenhead Cammell Laird yard on May 15, 1940. She was launched on March 17, 1941 and commissioned that August. Badsworth began her career on convoy duties in the North Western Approaches. In June 1942, she was transferred to the Mediterranean to be part of the escort for Convoy Harpoon to deliver vital supplies to the island of Malta. Along the way, the convoy was subjected to fierce attacks from the Italian and German forces and only two out of the initial six merchant ships were able to reach Malta. While entering Grand Harbour in Valletta, Badsworth struck a mine and was heavily damaged. After receiving temporary repairs, Badsworth left Malta and returned to Tyne for additional repairs. Afterwards, she continued convoy escort duties, including a run to Murmansk. In March 1943, Badsworth returned to the Mediterranean for Malta convoy escort duties, when she again struck a mine on April 22, 1943. She was towed to Liverpool for extensive repairs. In August 1944, Badsworth was paid off from the Royal Navy and transferred to the exiled Royal Norwegian Navy under the name HNoMS Arenda. After the war, she was formally purchased by Norway, serving until 1961 and eventually scrapped in 1965.

If you plan to build the model full-hull you will see corresponding pins and holes at the bow and stern and midway on the lower hull you will see tabs to help align the upper and lower hulls when gluing the two parts together. Before joining the two halves you will have to sand down several bumps which appear to be the resin equivalent injector pin marks. Some putty will probably be required to fill in the joint.

With an overall length 279 ft and 10 inches, in 1:350 that would measure out to about 9.6 inches. The kit hull length measures spot on as well as in the beam.

The smaller resin parts include the 4-inch gun shields, searchlight rangefinder director, 4-barreled Pom Pom base, 27’ whaler, 25’ Admiral motor cutter and 14’ dinghy. The casting is very good with some minor cleanup of excess resin in some spots. 

A replacement turned brass barrel set for the 4-inch guns is available separately from Atlantic Models (ATBAR 35002). However, in this day and age of 3D printed parts, white metal parts are really old tech and dare I say, passé. Several of the white metal parts have 3D printed alternatives available though many of the accessory producers out there if you wish to go that route. I would also use the white metal masts as templates to scratch build versions using brass rod. Two lengths of plastic rod in different diameters are included with the kit parts, apparently to use for the propeller shafts and possibly masts.