What's in the box? HMS Fearless, Airfix, 1/600 (edited)

Keeping with the Falkland theme I'd like to present the Airfix HMS Fearless (L10) to you. It is not the grandest kit in any way but it's a classic. MT Miniatures and L'Arsenal also have HMS Fearless in their respective range but they are in 1/700 scale and I have no idea how they are as model kits.

Ed. Found a review each of L'Arsenal's as well as MT Miniatures' HMS Fearless at Model Warships. They look nice!

Launched in 1963, commissioned in 1965 and in active duty till 2002 she and her sister ship, HMS Intrepid (L11), are now broken up for scrap. The Fearless class is now superseded by the Albion class LPDs, HMS Abion (L14) and HMS Bulwark (L15).

The kit is molded in light grey polystyrene and made up of 119 parts. The kit is definitively showing its age by its simple construction and chunky details. But do not fear, a bit of TLC and if you are willing to fold a bit of photo eched parts (this and that) you may end up having a great little ship. It is not a very large model, only 26,5 cm long, but it certainly has a great place in any model fleet.

Falkland conflict ended 30 years ago

I guess many people have what to call their "own" war, the ones that made a visual and historical impact on them. One of mine is the Falkland conflict that ended 30 years ago, on this day. Of course, I did not participate in it but just like the first Gulf war this one was real, it happened right there and then, it wasn't just old history from way back.

I will not get into the politics or the history of the conflict, you can read about it on the internet and in books and make up your own mind about it. The Wikipedia article on the topic seems to be extensive although I can not say for sure if there are any omissions, faults or the like. Wikipedia also have a couple of extensive articles on the British naval forces as well as the Argentine naval forces in the conflict.

Well, what amph models are there if one wants to have a piece of Falkland history? In my collection I haven't got much from the conflict but Airfix' HMS Fearless in 1/600 can be found, as can Hobby Boss' LVTP-7 in 1/35. So at least I have one model from each nation directly involved in the war.

The Fearless model is a bit basic and heavy but can be fixed with some TLC. Check out this one that Andy Mullen did, or Frank Spahr's. There are a few small landing crafts included in the kit just screaming to be painted in tiger stripes just as they were in 1982, and Frank did that! Typical camouflage painting can be seen here. Some one should make a British LCVP in 1/72 or 1/35 and a box full of Royal Marines to go with it! Or are there already one out there...?

Two LCUs and four LCVPs are included in the box.

The Hobby Boss LVTP-7 is complete from head to toe, no more scratching if you want an interior for your Tuna Boat. Missing Lynx has a nice review on the Hobby Boss AVVP7-A1. Basically it should be the same model as the LVTP-7 but with some exrta details to bring it up to AVVP7-A1 standard. The Osprey New Vanguard #30 on Amtracs has a colour profile and a short explaining text to it, this profile can also be found at the Malvinas Online site together with some nice photos of the real vehicles. The Hobby Boss kit have small anchor and flag decals one should be able to use, the vehicle number should be found in the decal spares box or masked and airbrushed on. Add a bit of dark green paint and you're done (I think...).




I haven't compared the Hobby Boss and Academy LVTP-7 kits but I guess it should be possible to use the latter as well.



In this footage from the invasion one can spot some small landing crafts of the Argentine Navy, looking like good old LCVP of Higgins type. Anyone having any information on them, like colours and markings? A few sequences also confirms the very few markings the LVTPs had. A blurry sequence shows some LARC-V from the ARA Cabo San Antonio driving up the beach. After having seen this film we may add LCVP, LARC-V and LST to the list of things to model from the conflict. Also in use during the conflict were the Centurion BARVs brought to shore by the LCUs attached to the HMS Fearless and her sistership, HMS Intrepid. Check out this restored one, it's by the way same as at the Centurion BARV page. At the Model Shipwrights page you may find a nice semi-scrached model, click here and here.




If you feel like doing a bit more of reading I recommend the Amphibious Assault; Manoeuvre from the Sea, and Amphibious Warfare Vessels. Both books have been presented at this blog.