Barcode: 0 89195 87072 8
Case Pack: 24 Pieces per case
Box Size: 7.9" x 13.8" x 2.6"
Features:
- Finely scaled radar provided by photo-etched parts
- Photo-etched railings to enhance details
- Superstructure relistically reproduced
- New Cartograft decal
Dragon has launched a new 1/700 scale kit in its Sea Power series. The subject
is HMS Invincible (R05), a light aircraft carrier of the Invincible class. As
a Premium Edition release, the ship has been completely overhauled to meet the
very highest standards expected of a modern-day kit. The 20,600-tonne carrier
was launched in 1977 and was commissioned in 1980. The carrier’s runway is 170m
long, including the “ski jump”, and the vessel itself is 194m long. It has had
an interesting life, originally being slated for sale to the Royal Australian
Navy in 1982. However, the sale was scuttled when Argentina invaded the Falkland
Islands on April 2 1982, and three days later a naval task including HMS Invincible
was steaming towards the South Atlantic. During the short but brutal conflict
to reclaim the Falklands, Argentina claimed it damaged the vessel, but this
assertion was categorically denied by the UK.
Dragon’s Premium Edition release is designed to coincide with the 25th anniversary
of the Falklands conflict, and the kit shows HMS Invincible as it appeared at
that time. There is a lavish inclusion of photo-etched parts for components
like the radar and railings. The superstructure is finely detailed, and the
overall look perfectly captures this carrier’s appearance while deployed on
operational duty at this time. The sale of HMS Invincible to Australia was revoked
and it was eventually decommissioned on August 3 2005, but it could be reactivated
any time before 2010 if necessary. In the meantime, Dragon has reactivated the
carrier with this stunning 1/700 scale kit, an ideal companion for the previously
released HMS Sheffield!
