US Coast Guard Cape-Class Patrol Boat 1:82 Scale Lindberg Model Kit #HL216 Review

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20141216*
US Coast Guard Cape-Class Patrol Boat 1:82 Scale Lindberg Model Kit #HL216 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The USCG Cape-class patrol boats were 95-foot steel hull patrol boats with aluminum superstructures. They were built in the 1950s and served until the 1980s and were unnamed until 1964, when they acquired names of US capes of land. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, all 36 boats in this class were built at the United States Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland. The Cape-class cutters were equipped as coastal sub-chasers, with a forward-firing “Mousetrap” ASW weapon and depth charge racks aft. There were three sub-classes or types that evolved as missions for the boat changed. The Type A was outfitted primarily for ASW, Type B was Search and Rescue (SAR) and Type C was more commercial in use. The paint scheme with the Coast Guard “racing stripe” wasn’t introduced until the 1964 when the ships were named. Prior to 1964 the hull was white with just the registry numbers on the side.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round 2 “The Lindberg Line” kit #HL216. It is a 1:82 Scale Coast Guard Cape Class ship. The kit has over 180 parts molded in White and Clear with a roll of Black thread. This is a Skill Level 2 for the moderate builder as it requires Glue. It is a Re-release (Re-Pop) of the original Lindberg kit and contains all the original parts! Previously, Lindberg offered a motorized version of this kit also. It has seen multiple box arts and even been under different brands in the past. The hull consists of multiple parts with the main deck in one piece. Many of the details are small so take care as you assemble it. There is an updated set of decals that includes four different versions that can be assembled. This is one of Lindberg’s best large-scale ship kits, not to mention the only plastic kit of a post-war USCG cutter. The kit represents a Cape-class cutter in “as built” configuration. The basic shapes of the hull and superstructure look right, and many of the smaller parts, such as the Mousetrap launchers and rockets, are quite finely molded; and, with a bit of scratch-building work it is a good basis for an excellent model. Overall dimensions of the kit are Length: 14-1/2”, Width: 3”, Height: 6-1/2” on the stand to the top of the radar mast.

 

Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic step-by-step construction; preparing parts for better finishing; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; building the deck structures; proper side rail location placement; official and alternate color selections; using decal setting solutions for improved appearance; paint notations; version considerations; finishing the display stand; adjusting for hull width variations; where to use “clear” glue for the windows; installing the “thread” rails;  identifying leftover motorized features; masking for proper hull detail are all fully examined in this 14 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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