The kit allows you to build it as the Rudolf Egelhofer, in DDR (the "Ossies") colours, or after reunification as the Hiddensee, in service with the unified German Navy (the "Wessies"), or as the USNS Hiddensee, when it was transferred to US control (and largely operated by the original crew of "Ossies").
It's not a particularly large kit in 1/400 scale, and the parts are relatively large in size and so hopefully easy to handle.
Instructions in Polish with an English translation. Paint callouts are Humbrol, although it doesn't actually mention that anywhere. The instructions look reasonably good. There are one or two ominous looking "trim to fit" annotations in there though!
To make it look a bit nicer, I have some Tom's Modelworks photoetch rails and ladders. I seem to have the 2 bar railing, when 3 bar is called for. Oh dear, how sad, never mind.
I'm going for the DDR version, so it will be a light grey hull with green paint below the waterline. The deck is a darker green. I seem to have most of the Vallejo equivalents, so that's good. The doesn't seem to be an easy waterline option, so rather than a lot of sawing, I will opt for full-hull.
cheers
Andrew
