In 1915, Admiral Jackie Fisher, First Sea Lord, was forbidden by the Cabinet to build any more battlecruisers. He worked around this limitation by ordering 3 "Large Light Cruisers." These 3 ships were designed to support possible landing operations in the Baltic. These ships, better called "light battlecruisers," possessed a shallow draft due to their light armor. These ships never served in the role which they were designed for, nor did they serve in a role suited to their capabilities, i.e. commerce raiding or anti- raider missions. They were white elephants, and Glorious was referred to by the press as the “Spurious”.

Specifications:

• Length: 786'9" overall
• Beam: 81'
• Draught: 22'8"
• Displacement: 18,180t (light) 22,560t (deep)
• Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, SHP 90,000 = 31.5 knots
• Range: 6,000nm @ 20 knots
• Crew: 768
• Cost: 1,967,223 Pounds
• Armament:
  • 4 x 15in 42 cal Mk.1 (120rpg) in 2 Turrets
  • 18 x 4in 44cal Mk.IX, 6 triple gun mounts
  • 2 x 3in HA guns
  • 2 x 3 pdr AA guns
  • 4 x torpedo tubes (2/beam)
• Aircraft:
  • Sopwith Pup
  • Sopwith Camel
  • Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter

HMS Glorious' career

• Laid down in May 1915, launched on 20 April 1916.
• Commissioned for sea trials on 23 October 1916. Commissioned for service in January 1917. For most of her service she worked with the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron (LCS).
• 16 October 1917 patrolled with Courageous the Scandinavia trade route as part of the 2nd LCS.
• Glorious saw action during 17/18 October 1917 off Heligoland Bight trying to intercept the raiders Bremse and Brummer (light cruisers) with Courageous and Repulse.
• She was in action off the Kattegat while making a sortie against German minesweepers.
• 21 November 1918 with the LCS at the German fleet surrender.
• 1 February 1919 reduced to Reserve at Rosyth and became tender to the battleship Hercules.
• December 1920 became Turret drill ship at Devonport.
• 1921-1922 Flagship Rear-Admiral Commanding at Devonport.
• September 1923 parent ship in the Reserve at Portsmouth.
• 14 February 1924 paid off at Rosyth to be reconstructed as an aircraft carrier.
• 8 June 1940 sunk by German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.

This new kit from Admiralty is one of the finest 1/700 waterline model kits I've ever seen. I believe this is the first time this ship has been available in her battlecruier form. This HMS Glorious is circa 1918, right after the flying-off platforms and deck mounted torpedo tubes have been mounted.

HMS Glorious' is cast as a single piece waterline hull, with no full hull option available. There is some incredible detail molded on this hull; I am amazed the detail is not distorted or broken. There are no lost pieces of silicone hiding anywhere. The hull has minimal flash in places, and will take very little work to clean up.

The deck detail textures are well done, as are the platforms for the triple gun mounts and the underneath support brackets; and in 1/700 no less. No molded on anchor chains- in fact, miniature brass chain is included in the kit.

A quick black wash has been added to show off the "Glorious" nameplate on the hull.

This kit has over 75 resin parts, and 4 brass barrels. Many of the resin parts are cast onto blocks, and look to be easy to remove. Also, most of the parts are either labeled or have a part# molded on the block to easy identification- there is a nice parts reference on page 2 of the instructions.

Admirality has included 6 PE frets in this kit; one large primary fret, and 5 smaller ones that focus on the aircraft carried. The primary fret has all the things you'd expect in a premium kit like this, including pre-shaped railings, funnel cap screen, ladders, anchor options, and even oars for the ship's boats!

Additional PE frets for the aircraft and turret flying-off platforms. Also, a picture of the included brass and plastic rod required for the kit- and some real anchor chain!

A resin badge of the ship's crest is included for display with the kit. Nice Touch.

An all-purpose RN decal set, printed by Cartograf is included. The Blue, Red, White and Battle Ensigns, Union Jack, and various pennants, are present, and markings for all 3 aircraft types.

A 12 page instruction book is included, that comes complete with a rigging diagram, painting instructions and a large 11"x17" plan view. This large view covers appropriate flag and their positions, aircraft positions and painting details- inlcuding color swatches of White Ensign Models' Colourcoats.

There are 20 instruction steps in the book, not including the aircraft. Some of the steps are multi-part, having you drill holes or mount some PE. Some steps reference the construction notes page, which has additional text notes and aids in construction.

The included parts list on page 2 has a parts diagram as well; should be a nice aid in tracking down and separating similar parts.

This new product from Admiralty Model Works is impressive. If you like the RN, Great War subjects or are a 1/700 fan; run, don't walk, to get this kit. It looks as if Admiralty is set to shake up the resin ship world the way Dragon has the plastic world with their recent Buchanan kit.

Glorious has a list price of $155.00USD, and is available direct from Admiralty Model Works, as well as some of our sponsors. This is a good price for a premium kit of this quality.