discussion ICM 1/700 SMS König 1918 - Inbox review.

[Dave Ward]

ICM have produced models of all four of the WWI König class battleships, in both 1/700 & 1/350. They differ in some armament positions, masts etc, but nothing major ( they all had differing recognition marks ).

Supplied in the usual ICM box-in-a-box - In 1918 configuration.
Sprues
X2





Full hull, or alternative waterline baseplate stand, decal sheet & a sticker for the nameplate.

The mouldings are clean & sharp, no sign of flash, or sink marks - although tiny parts will need very careful removal


Instructions are clear & well printed - colour call outs Revell & Tamiya- if you want to see more, you can download them from the ICM website https://icm.com.ua/ship/konig-wwi-german-battleship-full-hull-and-waterline/ It would be nice for all makers to do this!
I'll be putting up detail shots in part 2

 

[Dave Ward]

A few detail shots:

The anchor chain detail is poor, removal & replacement needed plank detail is good, note how the plank ends don't line up!


Hmm - that looks a little odd!



For a 1/700 model, I'd say that is of a very high standard - as usual with small scale models, careful removal from the sprues & clean up will be needed. I always prefer waterline models - it's what you actually see of a ship afloat, but the full hull is supplied as well. The deck & superstructure will need very careful painting - either you mask up everything for airbrush, or it's brush painting! A lot of tiny parts means probably not for a beginner.
I'm not aware of any specific detail PE for this model, but Eduard make 1/700 railings ( no radar aerials to worry about ). I have seen wooden veneer decks for this, but they have been almost as expensive as the model itself.
Availability - John has them all in stock at £21.59 ( the 1/350 at just over £30 )
Dave

 

[Jim R]

That's nice Dave. I think that a few lengths of generic railings would be all that's needed. There is definitely something appealing about these WW1 battleships.
Jim

 

[The Smythe Meister]

That's nice Dave. I think that a few lengths of generic railings would be all that's needed. There is definitely something appealing about these WW1 battleships.
Jim

You're dead right there Jim....
..... there definitely is

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Nice one Dave, very interesting
That's just the sort of info I need to base ideas around for my first Shipbuilding kit purchases....
.... all notes duly taken on board,(see what I did there??!!!! )...... I'll get me coat!
Andy

 

[Dave Ward]

Nice one Dave, very interesting :smiling3:
That's just the sort of info I need to base ideas around for my first Shipbuilding kit purchases....
.... all notes duly taken on board,(see what I did there??!!!! )...... I'll get me coat!
Andy

Andy,
if you're feeling flush - there is ( or was ) a Chinese company called Flyhawk who made 1/700 ships - including a load of WWI battleships - they weren't cheap ( ! ), but some of the subjects were unique - I have coveted HMS Agincourt ( 7 turreted WWI battleship ) for a couple of years, bid on it on ebay several times, but it has evaded me ( OK I'm not wiling to pay the high prices! ). They're very rarely stocked in the UK
https://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/angpi0roytyes7ulivg8.html - so buying from China is the only option - risking the import duties as well!!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

There is a UK supplier who carries Flyhawk, but most is out of stock & the prices are a tad high
https://starling-models.co.uk/collections/flyhawk
Dave

 

[Tim Marlow]

Looks a good kit Dave, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I bet the fly hawk Agincourt would look good as well Very interesting history on the Agincourt, designed for Brazil, sold to Turkey while on the slipway then nicked by the Brits at the start of WW1…

 

[Ian M]

I see that Takom has launched (sorry) a handful of these 1/700 ships as well.

 

[Dave Ward]

I see that Takom has launched (sorry) a handful of these 1/700 ships as well.

Scalemates has these down as Flyhawk's models reboxed, but with full hulls pricey at £40+
Dave

 

[BattleshipBob]

Thanks for the review Dave, great subject but too small for my peepers!!

 

[Dave Ward]

Thanks for the review Dave, great subject but too small for my peepers!!

Bob,
as far as I know the 1/350 models are essentially just scaled up 1/700 ( or maybe 1/350 scaled down to 1/700 )
Dave