1/700 FlyHawk
SMS Derfflinger 1916

Reviewed by Timothy Dike
April 2014
The SMS Derfflinger was the lead ship of a new class of German Battlecruisers which included Lützow, and Hindenburg. They featured improved armament (4 twin 12" turrets) over the proceeding  Moltke class and Seydlitz. She was launched in July 1913 and joined the First Scouting Group in November.

Derfflinger was involved in many actions of WWI, from bombarding English coastal towns, to the Battles of Dogger Bank and Jutland. She assisted in the sinking of HMS Queen Mary along with the Seydlitz, and HMS Invincible with the help of Lützow. Derfflinger survived the war and was scuttled with the rest of the High Seas fleet at Scapa Flow. The British nicknamed her the Iron Dog for her persistence at Jutland.

FlyHawk Models has been producing photo etch accessories for ship modelers for a long time. This is their first ship kit. It depicts the ship in her 1916 fit. Let's take a look and see what's in the box.
 
SPRUE A
 The kit is a waterline version and the hull is molded as two halves. The hull sides have anchor holes molded open and plenty of portholes. Also on the sprue are the rolled up torpedo netting.  Click images
to enlarge
SPRUE B (x 2)
The main gun turrets are on this pair of sprues. Slides in the mold are used to give the 12" gun barrels hollowed out tips. Medium gun shields are molded with open slots for a much nicer final assembly. Ships boats and other items feature nice crisp molding and a fair amount of detail.
SPRUE C
The many torpedo net booms are provided on this sprue. They are nice and thin.
 
SPRUE E
Some of the superstructure and upper decks are included on this sprue. Decks have nice fine planking molded onto the surface. Fully formed funnels are provided thanks to slide molding.
SPRUE F
The base of the 02 level is molded as a single part with sockets for the secondary turrets to swivel in. Much of this is covered over with the deck shown in Sprue E above so there is little detail to make note of. The end piece on this sprue does feature nice molded on louver detailing.
SPRUE G
The is the end piece for the upper deck and it feature nice deck planking, and nice skylights and thin boat cradles. slide molding allows for molded on portholes and ladder detail on the sides. 
SPRUE H & L
A couple of extra parts are supplied extra perhaps clipped off a sprue for a future release! These parts have some nice louver details on the sides.
SPRUE J
The waterline base helps hold the hull shape and includes provisions for the weight typical of waterline ships.
SPRUE K
The deck is nicely molded with nice deck planking and clean anchorways. Mounting sockets for the capstans are provided. Bits and chocks are molded on. 
PHOTOETCH
Photoetched railings are included in various lengths. Mast supports and yardarms, anchor chain, and ladder stock are among the other details. 
METAL WEIGHT
The metal weight comes wrapped in Commemorative paper. 
DECALS
Decals with the recognition circles, flags with some small crests are provided. These are sharp and nicely registered. 
INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions are two extra long pages printed in color. These include sub-assembly views and color guides for painting. An addendum 

COMMEMORATIVE EDITION EXTRAS
This Commemorative Edition includes some extras as described below: 
FLOAT PLANE
A nicely cast resin Friedrichshafen FF33 Seaplane is included. Main wing is cast separate as are the floats. A brass photo etch fret is provided with the struts, propeller and tail surfaces. Relief etching is used to bring out the surfaces on the tail. A decal sheet supplies the iron cross markings for the float plane. 
BRASS GUN BARRELS
Eight 12" 50 cal (30.5 cm) gun barrels are included to replace the kit parts. These are CNC machined and very nicely done with mounting pins and hollowed out ends. 
INSTRUCTIONS
Separate instructions are included for the Float plane assembly and for the brass barrels.
Conclusions:

A great first ship by FlyHawk! Nice molding and fine detailing. World War One fans can rejoice about this new entry into the injection molded plastic ship model market. The kit is available without the commemorative extras for $49.95 MSRP or with the extras for $59.95. The kit is available from most online shops now. It is on sale now at Freetime Hobbies for $29.95 / $39.95.

Thanks to FlyHawk Models for the review sample.