HRMS Evertsen

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This model came as quite a surprise to me. I should say that, like a lot of those on the American gaming scene, I had never seen this scale of ships used either in club play or a convention. (Most U.S. gaming is in 1/2400 scale.) And in addition to that, while I happen to own a number of 1/1200 scale ships, most of these have come to me from people who were "getting rid of them" - and they were older, low-detail models, usually in one piece (or sometimes with separate turrets).

So I was more than surprised when I opened the package from Clydeside, and found this little gem of a kit - with over twenty fiddly little parts! Obviously, this wasn't in the same category as the 1/1200 ships I'd seen before...

This particular model is of HRMS Evertsen, second of the four ships in the Van Ghent destroyer class, designed for use in the Dutch East Indies. All four ships in the class fought the Japanese in the first weeks of the Second World War. This model appears to reflect wartime status - for instance, the pre-war seaplane is not present.

The kit includes a sheet that provides historical background, painting guide, instructions, and an assembly diagram. A template is given so that wire (provided) can be cut and soldered to form the masts. Apparently this kit can be used for all four ships of the class, as the instructions give the various hull markings.

Until I've built the kit, it is difficult to say how well it matches the actual ship, but the details do conform to my sources. The only flaw I noticed in the parts was a slight horizontal seam on the hull, apparently due to the mold being misaligned. As can be seen, there is virtually no flash on the parts.

If you intend to game the early fighting in the Pacific, the Dutch destroyers are essential. It is good to see new models available. What's coming next from Clydeside? We're told...