USS Onondaga, a 2592-ton twin-turret
monitor, was built at Greenpoint, New York. Commissioned in March 1864,
she spent her entire active career with the James River Flotilla, covering
the water approaches to Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War's last
year. While on the James, she was involved in several engagements in June,
August and December 1864 and in January 1865. Onondaga was decommissioned
at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June 1865. In an arrangement approved
by the Congress, she was sold back to her builder in March 1867 and immediately
resold to France. The monitor subsequently had long service in the French
Navy, retaining the name Onondaga.
More about the Onondaga can be read on the Dept.
of the Navy -- Naval Historical Center website. But you build your
own with this 1/192 multimedia kit by Flagship Models. |
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| HULL |
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| The hull on this kit is cast as one piece with only a small casting
gate on the bow to remove. The surface detail is very good, with the plate
line boldly etched into the surface. Rivet detail is applied all around
the hull. The underside also features nice casting detail. Don't be alarmed
if the rivet detail is not perfectly uniform. Shipbuilders were still used
to building wooden ships and the armor plating was sometimes a bit on the
rough side. |
click images
to enlarge
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| RESIN DETAILS |
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| The two turrets also have nice rivet detail around the circumference.
The boats are nicely detailed and will look even better when you add the
photo etched inserts. A wooded rudder, bits, and vent pipes are also provided.
The over pour is a bit thick on some of these parts, but the casting looks
good. |
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| METAL FITTINGS |
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| Two propellers and anchors are provided. There is also a length
of real chain for the anchors. A nice touch. |
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| PHOTO ETCH |
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| A a relief etched fret is provided for the turret shields and deck
inserts. Hatches, boat davits, and stantions are among the other parts
provided on this well designed fret. |
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| DECALS |
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| A simple US flag decal is supplied in paper. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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The Instructions two pages with assembly notes. These illustrate
all the steps needed to complete the kit. Included are a plan and elevation
showing final parts locations, a template for the turret awnings, and 3D
subassembly views. Very well done.
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| CONCLUSIONS |
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This new kit add yet another Ironclad to the Flagship 1/192 line up.
This is kit #FM19218 USS Onondaga for $95.00 and available direct from
Flagship
Models via it's online ordering system. This Ironclad with it's prominent
rivet detail is just begging for a light wash and some rust streaks to
make it really stand out. Don't forget that Flagship has a line of
How
to CD's that will help you. |
