Unsung heroes of World War II,
Flower-class corvettes took the battle to German U-boats while escorting North Atlantic convoys. Based on a commercial whaling ship, the 205' vessels served in large numbers with British and Canadian navies.
All of the parts are medium gray styrene except for a single clear sprue; a tiny card holds black thread for rigging and railings.
The instruction book’s 101 steps feature a logical progression and clear drawings. I noticed one error: In Step 46, part G-453 should be E-453. The kit provides sharp decals for a single Canadian corvette, the HMCS
Snowberry in 1943.
Construction starts with the hull, which went together perfectly. The decks fit the hull with no need for filler.
The deck’s locators were spot-on, but be careful not to sand off any of pins. Some fittings are extremely small, so take care not to lose them during construction. The railing was the most challenging part of the build, requiring patience and sanding for flush fits.
In Steps 25 and 26, glue the gun tub (G200) to the pedestal (F199), then attach the eight supports (T206).
When you get to Step 65, make sure the ladder fits through the square opening in the deck (D104) before gluing.
I used the kit-supplied thread to rig the mast and railings in steps 98-101, but I recommend replacing it with stretched sprue or fishing line. The thread is thick and difficult to work with.
Painting was simplified because most of the parts are off-white. Pre-shading the hull highlighted detail of the hull plates and port holes.
I recommend the
Snowberry for experienced modelers. The kit is jammed with uncommon details that make it a great showpiece.
Note: A version of this review appeared in the March 2017 issue.