Model of Plastic Ship SMS Viribus Unitis 1/350

SMS Viribus Unitis 1/350

The SMS Viribus Unitis, commissioned in December 1912, is one of the first modern dreadnoughts in history and the flagship of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

Designed to compete with the powerful European navies, this battleship exemplified the technological and military ambition of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. Its construction was based on remarkable innovations for the time, including the use of cannons and turrets produced by the renowned Skoda arsenal, a symbol of excellence in the arms industry.

The Viribus Unitis was equipped with an impressive main artillery: four triple turrets, each mounted with 305 mm guns. These guns, capable of firing shells up to a distance of 20 kilometers, were the ship's primary armament.

In addition, auxiliary 150 mm guns were placed on the sides, providing additional defensive capability against smaller or closer threats. These armaments made this ship a true steel monster, at the forefront of maritime technological advances of its time.

In terms of performance, the Viribus Unitis also impressed with its sheer power. Its engines generated 27,000 horsepower, allowing the battleship to reach a top speed of around 20.4 knots (approximately 37.8 km/h). With a hull divided into two parts, particular attention was given to its structural design, combining strength and stability at sea.

Despite its technical prowess, the confined geography of the Adriatic Sea limited the maritime operations of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Viribus Unitis spent most of its service moored in the port of Pola, a key naval base of the empire. This strategic limitation, combined with internal conflicts of the Empire, significantly reduced the military impact of this battleship during World War I.

On November 1, 1918, in the final hours of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Viribus Unitis was tragically scuttled. Italian divers infiltrated the port of Pola and placed a bomb on its hull, sealing the fate of this iconic ship. The sinking of the Viribus Unitis symbolized the end of an era for the Austro-Hungarian Navy and marked a significant milestone in the maritime history of the early 20th century.

Today, the Viribus Unitis continues to captivate naval history enthusiasts and modelers.

A detailed model kit, consisting of over 480 parts, allows for the recreation of this maritime masterpiece.

This kit includes a hull divided into two parts, finely engraved deck wood patterns, photo-etched parts for enhanced realism, and a display stand to proudly showcase this replica.

Each element of this kit highlights the sophistication and complexity of the original design, paying tribute to one of the most remarkable ships of its time.

Scale: 1/350Dimensions: Length: 434.2mm Width: 79.7mmNumber of parts: 480+Metal parts: anchor chainPhoto-etched parts: 3 sheetsNumber of sprues: 12 sprues and deckAdditional Information:

• Model composed of 480 parts
• Hull in 2 parts
• Finely reproduced wood deck texture
• Included base
• Included photo-etched parts