Andrzej Halinski (Kartonowy Arsenal)'s 1/200 Scale H.M.S. Hood
This Polish card model is very large (over four feet) and highly detailed. Its a representation of Hood in her final "as-sunk" configuration in May 1941. Halinski had updated this kit fairly recently (within the last ten years) and as a result, it incorporates many of the "finds" we and other Hood researchers have uncovered (details not shown in plans or not remembered prior to the 2000s). It is certainly the most accurate 1/200 scale kit at this time (even more accurate than Trumpeter's 1/200 plastic kit).
1200 parts on 18 sheets (A3)
Length of finished model: @52 inches (131.5cm)
Difficulty: 5 (for highly experienced modelers).
Comes with Polish instructions/drawings.
Having said that, although its largely correct, the model itself is not 100% perfect: There are three areas that have notable errors, but with creativity and patience, many modellers should be able to remedy them. We'll cover some of the specific errors below. Be advised that this is very basic and is not 100% complete:
Bridge
- The Signals Shelters are missing from the Signals Platform.
- The torpedo lookouts (the areas under the two forward 0.5" machine gun positions are enclosed...but they were open on the actual ship.
- The deck outside the Compass Platform is not configured correctly. The real ladderway/ladder arrangement was different and the deck was stepped-up just behind the Compass Platform. Additionally, the access to the Air Defence areas above is not correct (the access ladders are missing and the rails are not correct.
- The rear of the foremast starfish platform/deck has squared corners, but the actual ship had almost circular rear corners.
Between Funnels Structure
- The uppermost portion of the structure between the funnels (MF/DF room) has a a large cylinder on top. The area at the base of the cylinder is shown as open, but on the actual ship, it was a flat deck.
Rear Superstructure
- The lower/rear square windows were not present in 1941.
- There are too many small rectangular windows at the upper/rear (the kit has eight, but there were seven...the centre-rear window had a small device in front of it).
- The rear structure (directly above the large windows and below the small windows), was not "stepped" but solid with a single access ladder to the small window area to stardboard.
Additional Information
- Click here to view an article covering a build of this kit.
- Click here to learn more about the new/updated version of the kit.
- Click here to read a review of the original version of this kit.
Above- Assorted views of a completed original issue Kartowny Arsenal 1/200 scale Hood. We would love to post photos of the updated version...if anyone would like to provide them, please contact us.
Maly Modelarz 1/300 Scale H.M.S. Hood
We believe this is a representation of Hood as sunk in May 1941. It was produced in Poland in 2009.
Length of finished model: 86.5cm
Difficulty: Unknown (likely for experienced modelers)
Polish instructions/drawings
- Click here to view an article covering a build of this kit.
GPM's 1/300 Scale H.M.S. Hood
We believe this is a representation of Hood as sunk in May 1941. It was produced in Poland (but is currently not in production). We know little about this kit, except for the following:
779 parts on 14 sheets (21x29.7cm)
Length of finished model: 86.5cm
Difficulty: Unknown (likely for experienced modelers)
Polish instructions/drawings
JSC's 1/400 Scale H.M.S. Hood
This is a popular Polish-produced representation of Hood as sunk in May 1941.
Its details are as follows:
864 parts on 10 sheets (A4).
Length of finished model: 65.5cm
Difficulty: 4 (some experience necessary)
Instructions/drawings are in Polish and English
Above- Photo of a completed JSC Hood
Alternative Reviews/Additional Resources
To learn more about card modeling, check out "Card Modeling FAQ." This excellent resource includes an English/Polish glossary, which should prove quite useful to those who are not fluent in reading or speaking Polish.