Combrig 1/700 HMS Glasgow Inbox Review

[George Hargreaves]

HMS Glasgow Crest.JPG (40.94 KiB) Viewed 13415 times

HMS Glasgow 1910 is a Bristol Class Light Cruiser that is considered part of the �Town� Class of 21 light cruisers.

When you open the box of kit number 70246 it is typical of Combrig. The hull and parts are cast in light grey resin; there is a simple set of Photo Etch (PE) and a set of instructions. You are expected to provide your own masts & yardarms and drawings and specifications are provided on the instructions

Hull is model very crisply, is highly detailed and well engineered.

The coal scuttles are moulded in the correct positions within the deck planking.

The fore deck main deck break is engineered to show the correct overhang. The bridge is also engineered to provide the maximum detail using a combination of resin parts and PE.

Looking at the accuracy when measured with a digital caliper and contrasted with the National Maritime Museum (NMM) plan of HMS Bristol, the Combrig HMS Glasgow has less than � % error in the hull parts I measured.

I am of the thought that the error is likely more due to my measurement technique and that the kit is dead on accurate. This may be due to the 3D modelling techniques used in making this kit. When looking at the fittings, accuracy is reduced due to the constraints of the resin model material utilized.

Here are some typical parts:

[George Hargreaves]

The parts are all cleanly executed and should clean up with the minimum of work.

The PE is typical Combrig, so in my thoughts a little on the heavy side and only what is truly needed or is unique to the vessel is provided. Aftermarket PE is required for railings and extra details.

Instructions are typical Combrig, due to the number of very small parts you may wish to take the time to mark which part goes where. Even the QF 3LB guns and the Machine Guns are not only included but are made up of barrel and base. Talk about tiny!

An interesting feature of the instructions is that the next page shows mounted, what was positioned on the prior page. You will get very accustomed to flipping forwards and back again during this build.

I could find no errors with the Combrig HMS Glasgow as provided but I did notice an omission. In section 2 of the instructions a piece of PE is shown that joins the engine vent to the hammock store just ahead of the main mast. This is the boat rack and the final Section 5 shows a 13�6� balsa raft on the boat rack that is also missing. The 25� derrick used to hoist out the raft is missing as well. From the NMM plans here is the information needed to make these simple parts.

Should you get WEM PE 724 then there is a boat rack that can be modified easily as per the red cut lines below.

WEM Modified Boat Rack.jpg (11.09 KiB) Viewed 13410 times

The rigging instructions for the radio and coaling lines are also missing. If you wish to add this level of detail, please us this link to get the photos required:
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=148393

Aftermarket Considerations:

Tom�s Modelworks 705 Two Bar Rail, or equivalent is required for the railings.

White Ensign Models PE 724 1/700 Royal Navy WW1 Cruiser/Destroyer PE is handy for the small part details and the boat rack. Do not use the railing as per the NMM plans HMS Bristol class used simple 2 bar rails.

[George Hargreaves]

For those who wish more in scale main armament Model Master makes both 4� and 6� brass barrels. The SM-700-10, IJN 15cm/50 41st Year barrel is the same as the QF 6� Mk XI barrel. SM-700-15 is a British 4�/45 QF HA Mk XVI from WWII that in my mind is close enough to the BL 4: Mk VII barrel in 1/700 scale.

Here is a table of Masts & Yards giving the mm sizes along with inches and AWG seizes.

Combrig Glasgow Masts & Yards.jpg (17.6 KiB) Viewed 13410 times

There are many sources for this material, here are a couple sets:

Special Shapes Co.
Stocl# R-25 0.025 in
Stocl# 05045 0.406 mm, 0.016 in
Stocl# 05044 0.25 mm, 0.010 in

Lion Roar
LT0042 Copper/Brass Beams 0.6mm Round 150mm lengths (3 pcs)
LT0009 Copper/Brass Beams 0.4mm Round 120mm lengths (12 pcs)
LT0008 Copper/Brass Beams 0.3mm Round 120mm lengths (12 pcs)

This will be an enjoyable build.

Cheers,
George

[Timmy C]

Excellent review, George! Very thorough, and great touch on suggestions for detailing options.

[Miguel]

Loved this review ,Combrig Glasgow ,is a must to buy,thank You very much very impressed.
Cheers

[D-Boy]

Sets a very nice standard for a comprehensive review. Many thanks.

- D-Boy

[GrahamB]

Hi George,

many thanks for the excellent review - glad to know it's finally out. I've just ordered one so now have my Coronel trio: Glasgow, Monmouth and Good Hope.
Would you know if there is anything that needs adding/changing for this period - range drums etc? My references are very thin on WW1 cruisers (apart from the Friedman Victorian volume).

Cheers,

GrahamB

[George Hargreaves]

Hi Graham,

The Bristol Class received very little modification during WWI due to there age. The starboard 36' launch was replaced with a steam cutter and after the Jutland the fore top was slightly enlarged and the forward boat booms were shifted.

The steam cutters varied for each Town Class vessel so photos are you best resource here. If you look at the Town Class thread in the CASF, photo 15s shows the steam cutter. viewtopic.php?f=48&t=148393

Cheers,
Geroge

[GrahamB]

Hi George

many thanks for this. I guess that not much changed until the war was well underway and lessons learned. I'll have to get to grips with the various RN ships' boats and also how to paint them - but the museum models are very very helpful in that respect.

Cheers,

GrahamB

[MartinJQuinn]

Excellent review - thank you!

[Atma]

Excellent review. My comment is for Combrig decision to all new releases not to provide plastic/metal rods for the main mast or the various yardarms. Not everyone have access to Evergreen !