Dragon Models Ltd

1/700 HMS Liverpool Type 42 Batch 2 Destroyer

Kit Number: 7069 (Premium Edition)

Reviewed by  Luke R. Bucci, PhD, IPMS# 33549

MSRP: $28.00 Thanks to DragonModelsUSA for supplying the review kit. Dragon has reissued their Type 42 British Royal Navy destroyer kit in a Premium Edition. The additional features are a full hull option, photoetch parts, decals to represent each ship in the Batch, and an updated modern Royal Navy weapons sprue. Again, Dragon has issued a finely detailed, injected plastic kit that has clear, 14-step instructions. The molding is sharp and crisp, with virtually no flash. Assembly looks to be straightforward, with minimal seams to fill, mostly on the superstructure. The model scales out to 406.5 feet in length, when the actual length is 410 feet. Beam scales to exactly the same as the actual 47 feet. Thus, the kit looks accurate in dimension. The kit itself depicts the Liverpool as commissioned in 1982, although the box cover art shows the current, refitted version. Two notable differences distinguish the kit as the 1980s version: 1) lifeboats were removed soon after the Falklands War in 1982 and replaced by containers with inflatable rafts; and 2) US Phalanx CWIS close-in weapons systems were installed midships after refit, as shown on the box art. The kit does not contain a CWIS, and has lifeboats. Other differences in masts and radars also distinguish this kit as the 1980s version. Although Dragon does not specify which version is actually in the kit, the box art indicates a current version, so modelers need to understand they are getting something a little different from the picture. Another kit error is the nameplate on sprue C for the full hull version says York. There is no Liverpool ship name to use with this kit. Paint colors are given for GSI Creos Aqueous Hobby Colours, GSI Creos Mr. Colour, and fortunately for those in the USA, Model Master. Decals are included for each ship in Batch 2, and instructions show structural alterations to a few pieces to make Southampton. Some pictures of the Liverpool show a large British flag painted on the bridge roof, but this decal was not included. Photoetch pieces are well done, and consist mostly of railings, radars and antennae, along with rotors for the Lynx helicopter. Dragon has issued five separate kits of Type 42 ships: Sheffield, Exeter, Manchester, York and Liverpool. Skywave issued the Sheffield, Manchester and York from which Dragon's molds came from. Revell Germany also uses the same molds for kits of the Sheffield, Manchester and Exeter. So far, the Liverpool Premium Edition kit has the most features. In summary, Dragon has produced an excellent and relatively easy build of a modern Royal Navy destroyer, complete with photoetch and full hull option. The kit contains everything except paints to make an accurate model of the 1980s version of HMS Liverpool and other Type 42 Batch 2 destroyers. HMS Liverpool - Brief History This kit depicts the seventh Royal Navy ship to bear the name of the coastal city Liverpool. The previous Liverpool was a Town-class light cruiser in World War 2 that was torpedoed twice in the Mediterranean and spent over three years undergoing repairs, missing half the war. The modern Liverpool is still in active service. Liverpool represents the Royal Navy's all-purpose surface escort from the 1970s, known as the Type 42 destroyer, or Sheffield class. This class is still the primary Royal Navy air defense ship, relying on Sea Dart missiles. This class has been extensively modified and automated to improve aging weapons systems and reduce operating costs. Six Batch 1 vessels were built, followed by four Batch 2, of which Liverpool was the final Batch 2 Type 42 destroyer built. Four ships in Batch 3 had lengthened and enlarged hulls with the same weapons outfits, and had a slightly different appearance. Liverpool was the first built in sections, greatly reducing time to build. She was commissioned during the Falklands War, but too late to see action. Liverpool did participate in the 1991 Gulf War, Iraqi Freedom, and intercepting drug runners in the Caribbean in 2005. Liverpool is scheduled to be removed from service in 2010. Websites: Royal Navy: History of Type 42 destroyers. Royal Navy: Community site. British site: HMS Liverpool. British site: History of Type 42 destroyers up to 2000. British site: Characteristics of Type 42 destroyers. Global Security: Type 42 history. Haze Gray: Type 42 facts and photo gallery. Wikipedia: Brief characteristics and history.

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