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Launched in 1905, the Austro-Hungarian battleship Erzherzog
Ferdinand Max was one of three Erzherzog
Karl class battleships (the third was Erzherzog
Friedrich). Dock space limitations and budgetary constraints resulted in a
compact class, but nevertheless well designed and adequately protected. However they were
inferior to the more modern Dreadnought type designs – with their all big gun
armament and turbine propulsion – on the ways while Erzherzog Karl class battleships
were under construction. This limited their WW1 usage to shore bombardment and other
secondary tasks.
The WSW Erzherog Ferdinand Max comes packaged in a sturdy box containing instructions, hull (bubble wrapped), small parts in sealed bags, and brass rod in various diameters. The instructions are comprised of two pages. The first contains an illustrated and numbered parts list, while the second shows parts placement via three drawings (one side and two overhead). Part numbers in these views correspond to the parts list. This makes identification easy, and placement is clear and obvious. There is also a scrap view showing dimensions of brass rod needed for the masts. Though spare and without frills, the instructions are adequate, even for beginners. Resin Casting Two methods are employed for the casting of small parts. Some of them (primarily small parts) are cast with 360 degree detail. Parts cast in this manner are attached to easily removed trees and consist of ships boats, davits, armament, searchlights and funnels. All of these are ready for attachment, requiring minimal cleanup. Especially noteworthy are the gun barrels cast in situ. Remaining resin parts – primarily bridge levels and boat supports – are cast into paper-thin (.002") wafers. Very little finishing is required before attaching to the hull. Because the wafer is so thin, one need not flat-sand these parts, but simply peel away the resin carrier film. Thus the mating surface is flat, which minimizes seam filling when attaching to adjoining parts. As an aside, enough brass rod is included for three or more kits of this size, though in common with other WSW kits, there is no photo-etched brass. I added Toms Modelworks railing to my model. This is not necessary but does add nicely to an already fine kit. Construction The model builds into an accurate and complete model of SMS Ferdinand Max. Construction
is easy, and I guarantee you’ll be pleased with the results. WSW kits are among the
finest 700 scale models available, and this one is no exception. The Ferdinand Max is
suitable for both resin newcomers and advanced modelers. Highly
recommended.
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