Tamiya 77502 - 1:700 Rodney British Battleship

Plastic model kit of the British battleship HMS Rodney in 1:700 scale

HMS Rodney was one of the two Nelson-class battleships — ships with a silhouette impossible to confuse with any other. All three main turrets, carrying nine 406 mm guns, were grouped forward of the superstructure, a solution forced by the displacement limits of the Washington Treaty. Tamiya 77502 reproduces the ship in 1:700 scale as a waterline model, showing the hull as it appears above the surface of the sea.

The kit comes from a mould developed in 1974. Rodney and her sister Nelson were at that time the first non-Japanese warships introduced into the Tamiya 1/700 Water Line Series, which until then had been devoted to Japanese vessels. The classic design, based on a modest number of well-fitting parts, makes assembly approachable even for modellers new to warship kits.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, superstructure, main turrets and deck fittings
• Waterline display base plate
• Metal ballast weight
• Marking sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:700
• Item number: 77502
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 308 mm
• Model type: waterline (no lower hull)
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly follows the classic Water Line pattern: the hull is joined to the base plate and the metal ballast weight is fitted inside, which keeps the finished model stable on a display stand or on a scratch-built sea surface. The parts are small, so precision tweezers and a sharp blade are useful, and delicate details such as the anti-aircraft mounts, masts and boats are easiest to paint while still attached to the sprue.

For a Royal Navy finish, naval greys are recommended (for example Tamiya XF-53 Neutral Grey and XF-54 Dark Sea Grey), with a darker shade on the decks and a wooden tone where planking is reproduced. A light wash helps to bring out the plating lines and the details of the superstructure. Modellers looking for extra refinement may consider photo-etched detail sets and turned metal barrels for 1:700 warships, available separately.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers for small parts
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to emphasise details

About the ship – HMS Rodney:

The Nelson-class battleships were designed in the 1920s as Britain's answer to the restrictions of the Washington Treaty. To stay within the displacement limit while retaining heavy guns and thick armour, the designers adopted an unusual arrangement: all three triple 406 mm turrets were placed forward of the superstructure, which shortened the armoured citadel of the ship.

Rodney is remembered above all for her part in the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck on 27 May 1941 — it was her heavy guns that delivered devastating blows during the decisive phase of the battle. Later the ship supported the Allied landings in Normandy, shelling German positions along the coast.

Intensive wartime service wore the ship out. After the war Rodney never received a thorough refit and was scrapped in 1948.

Specifications of the original (Nelson-class battleship):

• Standard displacement: approx. 33,700 t
• Full load displacement: approx. 41,000 t
• Length: 216.4 m
• Beam: 32.3 m
• Main armament: 9 × 406 mm guns in three triple turrets forward of the superstructure
• Secondary armament: 12 × 152 mm guns
• Anti-aircraft armament: 6 × 120 mm guns and eight-barrelled 2-pounder pom-pom mounts
• Torpedo armament: 2 × 622 mm torpedo tubes
• Propulsion: steam turbines, approx. 45,000 hp
• Maximum speed: 23 knots
• Crew: approx. 1,300–1,360

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. It began as a timber business producing wooden models and released its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960. The brand built its reputation on precise tooling, excellent parts fit and clear instructions, which is why its kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike. The 1/700 Water Line Series, to which the Rodney kit belongs, was launched in 1971 as a joint venture of several Japanese manufacturers and remains one of the most recognisable warship ranges in this scale. The common scale and waterline format allow models from the series to be displayed together in collections and sea scenes. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of paints, glues, tools and modelling accessories. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.