Kit Review by Russell Wild

The 83,673 ton QUEEN ELIZABETH', the largest liner in the world at that time, was built by John Brown and Company at Clydebank, Scotland, and launched on September 27th, 1938, by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Her maiden voyage was a secret wartime affair, when painted grey; she left the Clyde for New York on March 2nd 1940. She served as a troop ship throughout the 2nd world war, and carried during that time 811,324 passengers and steamed 492,635 nautical miles, Among the many ports she visited during her war service were Trinidad, Cape Town, Singapore, Freemantle, Sydney, Trincomalee, Suez, Auckland, Vancouver, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro and Freetown.

After the war the 'QUEEN ELIZABETH' was completely reconditioned, and on October l6th, 1946, she left Southampton for New York on her first commercial voyage. She then sailed regularly in the Cunard Line's express service between Southampton, Cherbourg and New York.

The 'QUEEN ELIZABETH' was 1031ff long (lift 6in longer than her Sister ship 'QUEEN MARY', almost SOft greater than the height of the Eiffel Tower and almost three times the height of St. Paul's Cathedral). Her height, from keel to masthead, was 234ff and her Promenade Deck was 724ft long. She had 13 decks and provided accommodation for more than 2000 passengers in First, Cabin and Tourist Classes. Her officers and crew totaled 1290.There were a total of 37 public rooms, ranging from the magnificent Main Lounge and the splendid First Class Restaurant, which seated in excess of 800 people, to the Cinema Theatre were almost 350 passengers could watch the latest films as they crossed the Atlantic. She had two indoor swimming pools and three libraries, Shops, ladies' and gentlemen’s' hairdressing saloons, beauty parlors, children's playrooms and Turkish Baths. A newspaper was printed on board, and published each day of the voyage. Her main engines consisted, four sets of single reduction geared turbines, developing 160,000 shaft horse power, driving four propellers each weighing 32 tons and 18ff in diameter.

Adequate but nothing to get excited about. Contains nameplates, decent draft marks (unlike the Mauretania kit), tennis courts shuffleboard markings (not sure about that one). The kit also includes a small sheet containing all the necessary flags you might require.

Excellent ease of construction for beginners and experts alike. The parts fit together as shown in the guide, and don't require filing or filling at all. The seams can be puttied and wet n' dried, but that is only an optional extra.

Excellently molded parts, although there is some flash (which can be removed in 5 minutes with a file or sanding block). Detailing is good, but conforms with Airfix's usual standard - a distinct lack of windows and railings. Apart from that the detailing is good, and you can see winches, anchor gear, skylights and bollards / capstans.