French Navy RICHELIEU 1943, 1/700 - Trumpeter 05750

The French Navy Richelieu 1943 model kit by Trumpeter, reference 05750, recreates the French battleship Richelieu at a scale of 1/700. It depicts the ship in its 1943 configuration, a period marked by repairs and modernization in the United States after it joined the Allied forces.

The Richelieu battleship

The Richelieu was a battleship of the French National Navy, the lead ship of the Richelieu class. Entering service in 1940 in a particularly complex context for the French fleet, it sailed to Dakar during the summer of the same year. After 1942, the vessel joined the Allies and was rebuilt at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1943. This configuration is the subject of this naval model kit.

The Richelieu is particularly recognizable by the arrangement of its main artillery concentrated at the front, in two large quadruple turrets. Its silhouette, superstructures, and anti-aircraft equipment make it a major subject for fans of the French Navy and Second World War warships.

The 1/700 scale model

Made at a scale of 1/700, this build-it-yourself model kit allows you to depict the Richelieu in a compact format, well suited to military ship collections. At this scale, each dimension of the real ship is reduced 700 times.

Building a battleship at 1/700 requires careful preparation of the parts, precise gluing, and special attention to the fine elements of the superstructures. Painting helps bring out the ship’s volumes, decks, armament, and the details of the 1943 configuration. Afterward, washes, dry brushing, or a light weathering can be used to emphasize raised details without hiding the finesse of the overall model.

Specifications

• Brand: Trumpeter
• Reference: 05750
• Type: snap-fit? (assembled) naval model kit
• Subject: French battleship Richelieu
• Depicted configuration: 1943
• Scale: 1/700
• Period: Second World War

For assembly and finishing

To complete the model, you’ll need the usual products for static model making: glue suitable for plastic models, cutting and deburring tools, fine sandpaper, and paints. A primer generally makes it easier to apply paint evenly and to highlight any preparation defects before finishing.