As modelers started seeing and building the beautiful 1:350 scale kits from YS Master Pieces, some asked, "When will there be a YS Master Pieces kit in 1:700 scale?" Now there is one, the Georgios Averoff, Greek Armored Cruiser, was the first 1:350 release from YS Master Pieces and now it is their first release in 1:700. The kit is different from most 1:700 models, in that it is available in two versions. You must decide if you want to build the traditional 1:700 waterline version or the one piece full hull version. One piece full hull 1:700 kits are something of a rarity because of the waterline tradition of 1:700 scale but also because of the added detail of the kit and difficulty of production. YS Master Pieces provides the choice.

The One Piece Full Hull Casting

The 1:700 version of the Averoff is amazingly close to be a perfectly scaled down replica of the 1:350 version. If you have seen the 1:350 model, you will be undoubtedly struck by the precision of the replication. It is only when the 1:350 and 1:700 models are placed next to each other that some differences are noted. The 1:700 version has been slightly simplified in parts count and design to allow for easy assembly.

Comparison of the 1:700 & 1:350 Averoff kits

The fidelity of the 1:700 Averoff is not confined to only the hull casting. Many of the smaller parts appear to be exact half sized miniatures of the larger kit. What is remarkable is that no detail appears to be lost in the castings.

Smaller Resin Parts

The brass photo-etched parts consist of one fret. Because of size and complexity constraints, there are certain parts that appear in the 1:350 frets that are not included in the 1:700 version. One example is the ship's name brass plaques that are on either side of the bridge in the 1:350 kit are not present in brass in the 1:700 kit. Instead they are cast integral to the hull/superstructure. This is true with other details that were in brass in the 1:350 version, they are now part of the resin casting. However, take a close look at the extraordinarily high quality of the 1:700 fret. The three dimensional etching and consummate quality of the fret are evident in the photos.

Brass Photo-Etched Fret

It is strikingly clear that YS Master Pieces has the same commitment to excellence in their 1:700 kits as they do in their larger 1:350 scale sisters. Every component is of the highest quality, from resin, to brass, to instructions. The instructions come spiral bound just as those in the 1:350 kit. From the photographs, you can judge the high quality of the instructions for yourself. Each page is clear and well laid out. The instructions have many of the same drawings as those in the 1:350 kit but many differences as well.

Instructions

This has been only a look at the components and my first impressions of this kit. A Build review will follow.

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