Vol. 64, No. 2 Summer 2019 186


3. Armo’s Gloire assembly instructions


without hesitation, as fi tting into the esoteric category, since they include the likes of Spanish, Austro- Hungarian, and early German pre-dreadnoughts among their off erings.


Recently, Armo, without ignoring their original fi eld of interest, has turned their sights on early sail-and- steam-powered ironclads, primarily those operated by the British and French fl eets. T is is almost virgin territory; the only other manufacturers to my knowledge paying serious attention to similar types are the Chinese fi rms of Doggie Industries (focusing on French ironclads for colonial service) and Ocean Spirit (working through the vessels of the Imperial Chinese fl eets).


It is no surprise that two of Armo’s fi rst kits in this series represent France’s Gloire (Figure 1) and Britain’s Warrior (Figure 2), the fi rst ocean-going ironclads in their respective fl eets (and in the world, for that


4. Armo’s Warrior assembly instructions


matter). Both kits have almost identical approaches. T e basis is a very nicely cast solid resin hull, which includes extensive hull side detail and most of the deck fi ttings, such as hatchways. Warrior also has a quite delightful fi gurehead and stern galleries cast into the hull (Gloire did not carry these features). T e rest of the small details include masses of cleanly- detailed boats, the few exposed deck guns, minimal bridgework, and tops for the masts. (Figures 3 and 4) T e modeler is expected to produce the masts and spars from supplied lengths of brass and copper wire in various diameters, taking dimensions from the scale sail plans included. (Figures 5 and 6) Instructions are entirely in the form of a series of close-up photographs.


T e biggest challenge a modeler will face in completing these kits is the rigging. Ironclads of this era were are complex in their rig as contemporary


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