Thoroughbred released two additions to their range of ACW Naval models at Cold Wars in March. The range now inclucles 29 different ships plus a selection of other useful items.

The latest additions to the line are the CSS Columbia (TS37) and the USS Dictator (TS40). Each model comes complete with ship data, assembly instructions, and an appropriate flag. An earlier release, CSS Richmond (TS14) was also received for review.

Columbia and her sister ship Texas were casemate ironclads, begun late in the war. Neither saw action, but Union reports rated them as the best ironclads the South built. The model is suitable for use as either ship. Its dimensions are 3.63 by .88 inches. The only assembly required is to put on the stack and the flagstaff. The casting is magnificently detailed with loads of detail. The ships guns are run out; the pilothouse even has small vision slits. The only flash was one small bit on the pin at the bottom of the stack that just popped off.

The Dictator was a large single turret monitor designed by John Ericsson. The large size allowed an armament of two 15 Dahlgren smoothbores. The other improvements were directed towards making her a more seaworthy vessel than the Monitor. The main difference that shows up on the model is the flying bridge that surrounds the stack. The dimensions are 5 by .88 inches, which corresponds to a length of 314 and a beam of 50. This model requires more assembly to build up the flying bridge. The turret comes in two pieces, turret and pilot house. There are also several hatches and stacks to go on the model. The casting is again very clean with the only flash being a couple of small pieces on the ends of some of the smaller pieces. Assembly takes a while, but the effort is well worth it

The Richmond was one of a class of six Confederate casemate ironclads. The model comes with all the combinations of hatches, vents, and pilothouses needed to build any of the four variants that made up the class. The dimensions are 2.63" by .75". Assembly time will vary depending on which variant of the ship you build.

The models are very attractive and will make for a very visual game. If you play ACW Naval and you are looking for large scale ships, Thoroughbred is the place to go. Prices range from $8.50 for the CSS Richmond, $13.50 for CSS Columbia, up to $15.00 for USS Dictator. Postage and handling is only $4 extra. The address is Thoroughbred Figures, 3833 Buckhorn Place, Virginia Beach, VA 23456; Phone (804) 471-5918. They will send a current list if you send them a SASE. - JERRY LANE

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