Airfix 04203V - 1:600 HMS Nelson

Plastic model kit of the British battleship HMS Nelson in 1:600 scale

Airfix 04203V recreates HMS Nelson — one of the most distinctive battleships of the Royal Navy, recognisable by the unusual arrangement of all the main armament in three turrets ahead of the superstructure. The model is part of the Vintage Classics range, which reissues classic Airfix tooling.

The kit comprises 132 parts and captures the ship's silhouette in the popular collector's scale of 1:600. The modest parts count and accessible skill level make it a good choice for those getting into ship models.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, superstructure and armament
• Decal sheet
• Paint guide (2 options) and illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:600
• Catalogue number: A04203V
• Manufacturer: Airfix
• Assembled length: approx. 36 cm
• Number of parts: 132
• Difficulty: beginner/intermediate

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The model is accessible to less experienced modellers too. Grey schemes are typical of Royal Navy ships — the instructions give two options corresponding to different service eras. Small armament and superstructure parts are best painted before final assembly. Apply decals over a gloss coat and finish the model in matt.

Recommended tools:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out the detail

About the ship – HMS Nelson:

HMS Nelson was a British Nelson-class battleship, built for the Royal Navy after the First World War and completed in 1927. The ship's design was unusual: all the heavy main armament was concentrated in three turrets placed ahead of the superstructure, giving the vessel a very distinctive silhouette.

HMS Nelson took an active part in the Second World War and, in 1945, was present at the Japanese surrender in Singapore. Together with her sister ship HMS Rodney, she was among the most heavily armed battleships of the Royal Navy in the interwar period.

Specifications of the original (HMS Nelson):

• Type: Nelson-class battleship
• Length: approx. 216 m
• Beam: approx. 32 m
• Main armament: nine 406 mm (16-inch) guns in three turrets
• Secondary armament: twelve 152 mm (6-inch) guns
• Top speed: approx. 23 knots
• Completed: 1927; service: incl. the Second World War

About the manufacturer – Airfix:

Airfix is one of the most recognisable British brands of plastic model kits, with a tradition reaching back to the 1950s. The brand offers a broad range of models in popular scales — aircraft, military vehicles, ships and figures — from simple kits for beginners to detailed models for advanced builders. Airfix kits are graded by skill level, which makes it easy to match a kit to a modeller's experience. Under the Vintage Classics range the brand reissues classic tooling prized by collectors. The kits are known for clear instructions and an accessible build.