Beschrijving

S.Y. KOMET was constructed at Bremer Vulcan a.g. Vegesack 543 and launched on the 6-4-1911.

She was designed and built as a governor’s yacht for Deutsche Neu Gunea (German New Guinea).

Komet was built of steel up to the boat deck, the wheelhouse was of Mahogany or steel and panelled in the same, Her GRT was 977 tons.
Her power was from twin steam boilers powering twin triple expansion engines to two screws with a H.P of 1400 giving a top speed of 13 knots. She carried a crew of 160 and was lightly armed with one 37 mm rapid fire cannon and one 8mm machine gun both on pedestal mountings. She was stationed in New Guinea as the German Governors yacht until 11-10-14. When she was taken as a war prize by the Australian navy and taken into service as a packet / patrol boat. She was armed with three 4” guns on pedestal mountings at that time.
She was then renamed H.M.A.S. UNA (one of a kind). After the war she was sold into service as the Pilot boat for the Port Phillip pilot service and renamed AKUNA. She was commissioned in to the R.A.N. as an examination vessel for Port Phillip. In 1943 she was retained until late in WW11.
She was still used as a standby vessel until 1954. She gave long service at this position with a legend for rolling on wet grass. The AKUNA was finally broken up in Melbourne in 1955.
Deans Marine would wish to express their appreciation to the Australian pilot authority for their kind help and assistance with information and photographs

Details of the kit

Scale 1/50 W.L Length 1.21m hull length 1.44m O/A Length 1.51m Beam 212m Sailing weight 8.7kg

This model is based on a glass-fibre hull with full plating and port detail. The two main cabin assembly are also glass fibre detailed moulding to ease construction and make the model more suitable for the fitting of a stem plant if desired.

The main and boat decks are from 1/16th marine plywood with pre-printed deck planking.

The funnel, ships boats, ventilator cowls, and water tank are supplied as vacforming in 1mm styrene, and to complete the model a full set of detailed fittings in cast metal and plastic are included in the kit and to add the superfine detail to this elegant model, a full sheet of brass etched parts of over 300 components add the superfine detail to this model. Also included is a comprehensive instruction book and two full size plans. As in all the Deans kits propshafts, props and rudder are included.

And new item in the kit range is the use of computer cut “wood” paneling for fine details such as doors and paneling to give the correct “timber” effect and relief detail to door panels and paneling, and to remove the arduous task of cutting, sanding and staining very unscale woodwork.