In addition to the fret set for the Heller 1:400 scale Scharnhorst and Gneisenau (Click for Review), Toms Models has also produced a two fret brass set for the Heller 1:400 scale kits of Admiral Graf Spee and Admiral Scheer. The ship specific fret measures 5 5/8 inches by 2 7/8 inches. The generic railing fret is the same one that is in the Scharnhorst/Gneisenau set, measuring 6 ¾ inches by 2 inches.

Spee5887SpecFret.JPG (197650 bytes) Spee5888railings.JPG (125297 bytes)

FRET #1 – SHIP SPECIFIC ITEMS
As with the Scharnhorst/Gneisenau fret, the various German radars are very prominent in this set. Four different radars carried by the different fits of Graf Spee and Scheer, are featured in this set. The other major items are the ships catapult parts and two different types of cranes.

Spee5889cranes.JPG (172718 bytes) Spee5890radars.JPG (184693 bytes) Spee5891cat.JPG (100926 bytes) Spee5892FuMO22.JPG (441702 bytes)

Parts Listing – There are multiple parts for most numbered assembly area.

1.  Turret Face Windows
2.  Aircraft Parts
3.  Bridge Rigging
4.  Capstan Tops
5.  Steps for Breakwater
6.  Boat Racks
7.  FuMO 22 radar for Graf Spee
8.  FuMO 22 radar for Scheer prior to 1940 Refit
9.  FuMO 22 radar for Scheer post 1940 Refit
10. FuMO 27 radar for Scheer post 1940 Refit
11. FuMB 7 (Timor) radar for Scheer
12. FuMB 4 radar for Scheer
13. Bridge Mount for FuMB4
14. Crane for Graf Spee		 15. Crane Bracing for Scheer
16. Catapult, Catapult Base and Platform
17. Mast Bracing
18. Mast Head Foot Rails
19. Mast Head Bracing
20. Mast Cross Arm Foot Rail for Graf Spee
21. Mast Cross Arm Foot Rail for Scheer
22. Graf Spee Radar Screen Mount
23. Range Finder Foot Rails
24. Dipoles for FuMO Radar Faces
25. Platform Bracing
26. Bow Docking Platforms
27.Inclined Ladders
Spee5893radardipoles.JPG (108373 bytes) Spee5895det.JPG (179273 bytes) Spee5896det.JPG (110190 bytes)

FRET #2 – VERTICAL LADDER & RAILING
This fret consists of ten strips of three bar railing with bottom gutter, one strip of three bar railing (narrowly spaced stanchions), one strip of two bar railing and two strips of vertical ladders. This is the same railing fret found in the Scharnhorst/Gneisenau set. No inclined ladders are on this fret but the ship specific fret has six.

INSTRUCTIONS
This set comes with a comprehensive three page (one page printed front and back and one front page only) set of instructions. Each assembly step is described in text and shown in clear, nicely done drawings. Five different radar array placement drawings are provided as separate inset drawings. Additional drawings show locations for bow detail parts on a bow plan and a detailed drawing and textual description of how to bend the FuMO radar parts.

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VERDICT
The Toms Models brass photo-etched fret set for the 1:400 Heller Admiral Graf Spee and Admiral Scheer is very similar in execution the Toms set for the Scharnhorst/Gneisenau. This is hardly surprising since there was a commonality of fittings among the large warships of the DKM. If you want to super-detail the Heller kits of these two German Panzershiffes, this is the set for you.

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