Takom SP7051 - 1:700 USS ABSD-1 Large Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock

Unassembled plastic model kit of an American floating drydock ABSD-1.

Scale of the model - 1/700

Main role of the floating drydocks was providing a possibility of maintenance and repairs for the ships being far away from bases and shipyards. Such docks were usually placed around fleet concentration places, but far enough from the enemy's positions as not to risk their destruction. Such units are usually needed during times of war, when the battles are intensive enough that there is no time for sensing the ships back for repairs all the way to shipyards. First modular floating drydock in US Navy service was ABSD-1. Works on ABSD-1 begun in 1942 at Everett Shipbuilding Company, Washington. Full configuration was made from 10 modules with a total length of 283 m. The dock was manned by a crew of 690. It was able to service ships of total weight up to 90 000 tonnes.

Set includes:

• plastic sprues with parts of the model kit
• decal sheet
• photoetched detail parts
• assembly instructions with painting and marking diagrams

Paint and glue not included.

Unassembled model kit, requires cutting out and gluing the parts together.

Kit includes an assembly instructions which depicts the correct order of cutting out and gluing the parts together. Instruction also contains suggested paint numbers of different brands for painting the kit. Final step is to apply the included waterslide marking in the correct places as shown in the assembly instructions.

Building this model kit requires following basic tools:

• craft knife or sprue cutters
• small files or sandpapers in different gradations
• paintbrushes in different sizes
• glue for plastic model kits
• paint set chosen according to the instructions or with the help of our staff
• if the model kit includes resin or photoetched parts a CA type glue would be required

Takom is a manufacturer from Hong Kong focused mainly on AFV model kits in 1/35 scale.

They have managed to build a large fan base thanks to the high quality of their kits. Their models have a fairly large part count with a good fit and are suitable to build by any modeller having basic skills in this hobby.