White Ensign Models HMS Warspite Photo Etch set 1:350

Ref: PE 35156
Price around £69.00 GBP
Review by Les Venus (October 2013)

Our thanks to White Ensign Models for supplying the review sample. Get this PE set here now at: www.whiteensignmodels.com

Background

Now you know that I am a huge WEM fan and indeed won’t even contemplate making a ship model without one of their etch sets to support it. I have in case you wondered used the other manufacturers and they have merit too, many of them with some being absolutely sublime etch. The thing with WEM is that you always know that you are dealing with modellers not corporate types. Indeed we at SMN are always fortunate to have a stand adjacent to WEM at Scale Model World. This gives me a great opportunity to catch up on what’s new with the great guys and girls and in particular to chat with Peter Hall the principal designer of their etch. He is a mine of information and when speaking to him it’s of no surprise that in my opinion WEM are best in class.

The Academy Warspite was released last year and the kit this set is designed for (indeed we have a full build by Julian Seddon of that including the Pontos set in Finished Now ).

So how does this etch set hold up and what will it do for the kit? Let’s see…

Packaging

WEM etch always comes in an A4 envelope with stiff card protecting the contents from bending. Instructions come in an A4 booklet; in short, efficient.

Instructions

What’s clear with even a cursory look at WEM instructions is the depth of knowledge and research. It’s key to not simply look at the drawings but to read all the instructions; only then will you reap the benefits. My other advice is to compare and contrast them with the build sequence on the kit. In that way you will be sure to use then etch when needed not after you have built something and then find it inaccessible to the etch… trust me I have done this.

My only gripe is that sometimes little gems on the etch are not mentioned in the instructions and more importantly that there are not clear fitting instructions for the deck main rails. In truth once you are used to WEM Brass it becomes obvious but for the novice as I am still in many ways it can be off putting.

That brass

The set comes on two sheets of impeccably etched and staggeringly detailed brass. The finesse of the brass and its ease of use are as ever top of the class but it’s the choices Peter pops on the brass that really capture a modeller’s imagination. And, if I am honest throw out a well laid plan, or at least confuse it!

I was convinced that I was going to build a 1942 version of Warspite in a really incredible block camo scheme that I haven’t seen before. But then I noticed the evocative photo on the instructions of WEM brass that shows Warspite entering Grand Harbour Malta in 1937 with red, white and blue neutrality stripes on B turret… awesome. Moreover Peter puts in the brass that enables that version to be built which really highlights just how much goes into these sets. Thank you Peter and Dave.

You’ll find below a detailed list of exactly what is included on each PE fret.

Summary

This is another super etch set from WEM and you probably won’t be able to resist getting started on it. Yes there is a minor gripe about the instructions but it’s because WEM set the bar so high I just want anyone that uses them to be able to get all the pleasure from them they deserve. It is without hesitation that I say if you’re building Warspite don’t start without this set.

Highly Recommended
Les V.

SMN Quick summary Star rating out of 5

For the Academy kit. See also White Ensign Models PRO 3527, turned brass gun barrels and spars for this kit.

Fret A, Stock 2- and 3-Bar Railings, Railings (Quarterdeck and Stern), Railings (Catapult Deck), Railings (Admiral’s Bridge Stair Landing), Railings (Fo’c’sle Deck Forward)6.Railings (Fo’c’sle Deck Aft), Railings (Shelter Deck Forward), Railings (0.5” Machine Gun Platforms), Railings (Crane Platforms), .Railings (Aft Superstructure), Railings (Shelter Deck Aft), Railing (Radar Lantern), Railing (Mainmast Platform 1937), Railings (Boat Deck), Railings (Lower Funnel Platform), HF/DF Antenna (Foremast 1937), Admiral’s Top Light (Mainmast), Accommodation Ladder Handrails (Long), Accommodation Ladder Steps (Long), Flashing Lights (Foremast Main Yardarm), B & X Turret Rangefinder Platforms, Type 243 IFF Antenna (Foremast 1944), Type 75 WT Unit (Mainmast), Accommodation Ladder Handrails (Short), Accommodation Ladder Steps (Short), Aft Superstructure Gallery Frames, Aft Superstructure Access Landing & Ladders, Aft Superstructure Lower Access Landing, 284 Gunnery Radar Antenna Face (Early), 284 Gunnery Radar Antenna Face (Late), Signal Lamps (Small), Paravane Parts, Searchlight Handwheels, Searchlight Lens Fronts (Small), Searchlight Lens Fronts (Large), Compass Platform Venturi Frame, Compass Platform Canopy, Turret Top Ammunition Lockers, Compass Platform Venturi Shroud, 285 Yagi Radar Antennas, Topmast 281 Radar Antenna Platforms, Wind Vane Platform (Foremast), Type 650 Jammer Antenna (1944), Admiral’s Bridge Venturi Frame, Type 86 TBS Antennas (Foremast), Admiral’s Bridge Venturi Shroud, Type 281 Radar Antenna Pole, Type 281 Radar Antenna Assembly, Headache Antenna (1944), Foremast Lower Yard Footropes, Turret Roof Handrails, Type 281 Antenna Wiring Alternative, Leadsmans’ Platforms, 15” Gun Barrel Tampions, Type 282 Yagi Radar Antennas, Walrus Seaplane Parts, Flag Lockers, Signal Platform Long Ladder, Pom-Pom Platform Ladders, Inclined Ladders (Shelter Deck Forward), Inclined Ladders E7, Signal Lamps (Large), Inclined Ladders E41 & E42, Inclined Ladders (Shelter Deck Aft), Inclined Ladders (Quarterdeck Hull Steps), Inclined Ladders E52, Twin 20mm Oerlikon Mountings, Inclined Ladders (Boat Deck Forward), Single 20mm Oerlikon Mountings, Slatted Bench Seats, Stock Vertical Ladder (Gun Turrets), Stock Vertical Ladder (General Use), 8-Barrelled Pom-Pom Parts, 45’ Motor Launch Cradles, 45’ Fast Motor Boat Cradles, 35’ Fast Motor Boat Cradles, 35’ Launch Cradles, Ladderway Hatch Selection, Large Deck Hatches, Ventilation Hatches, Watertight Doors and Open Coamings, Watertight Doors (Closed), Small Access Hatches, Skylights and Hatches, 4” Gun Mount Fittings, Deck Hatch Selection, 32’ Cutter Cradles, 27’ Whaler Cradles, Skylights and Hatches (Small).

Fret B, Foremast Starfish Platform Assembly (Late Fit), Foremast Starfish Platform Assembly (1937), Midships Accommodation Ladder Davits, Foremast Halyard Spurs, Foremast Manouvering Lights, Funnel Cap Grille, B & X Turret Rangefinder Supports, Funnel Inner Plate, Hangar Roof Overhang Supports, Crane Platform Supports, Ship’s Name Letters, Main Crane Jibs, 4” Gun Battery Splinter Shield Enclosure, Main Crane Jib Rests, Ladderway Hatches, 4” Gun Battery Enclosure Base Plate, 4” Gun Battery Inner Splinter Shields, 284 Radar Antenna Upper Mounting Brackets, Foc’sle Breakwater Stowage Boxes, Foc’sle Breakwater Braces, Foc’sle Breakwater, Aircraft Launch Cradle, Mainmast Platform and Supports (1937), Radar Lantern Housing, Catapult Track Insert, Catapult Side Braces, Catapult Bridges, Catapult Bridge (1944), Admiral’s Bridge Window Assembly, Boiler Room Vents, Bridge Front DF Antenna & Bracket, Main Crane Bases, Crane Hooks, Funnel Siren Platform Assembly, Funnel Lower Platform, Funnel Searchlight Platform, Anchor Chain Races (Starboard), Hawse Pipe Cover Grilles, Anchor Chain Races (Port), 0.5” Machine Gun Platforms (1937), Admiral’s Bridge Platform Supports, 24’ WT Yardwith Type 91 TBS Antennas, Radar Beacons (1943), Aft Superstructure Galleries, WT/Radar Office Assembly, Signal Platform Rear Supports, Small Loading Shearlegs, Admiral’s Stern Walk Railing, Admirlal’s Stern Walk Canopy, Admiral’s Stern Walk, Stern Walk Supports, Replacement Gun Tubs E55, Forward Loading Boom Shearlegs, 35’ Fast Motor Boat Fittings, 45’ Motor Launch Fittings, 32’ Cutter Thwarts & Rudders, Replacement Gun Tub B10, 45’ Motor Boat Fittings, 35’ Launch Fittings, Replacement Gun Tubs E19, Replacement Gun Tubs E17, Replacement Gun Tubs E20, Replacement Gun Tubs B Barbette, Replacement Gun Tubs Shelter Deck Fwd, Replacement Gun Tubs B8 & B11, Replacement Gun Tubs E15, Replacement Gun Tubs E18, Night Life Buoy Assembly, Pom-Pom Platform Supports (1943), Pom-Pom Platform Supports (1937), AA Platform Extension Tub Supports, Anchor Chain, Blakes Stoppers, Menagerie, Aft Loading Boom Shearlegs, 0.5” Quad Machine Gun Mountings.