General information

The painting instructions for British ships can be found here: LINK. This page contains only basic information about the models and ships, along with the painting scheme that should be applied (the instructions on the linked page show what the specific scheme looks like).

From the perspective of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, one might conclude that for over two hundred years, Great Britain had been the greatest naval power in history, virtually unrivalled since the victory at Trafalgar. Although the advent of ironclad warships renewed the naval arms race, the British once again proved to be the best. However, at the turn of the century, new competitors emerged, particularly Germany, who sought to challenge the power of Albion. Nevertheless, from the launch of the first pre-dreadnought to the commissioning of HMS Dreadnought, the British built over 50 battleships, not counting the myriad of other types of ships.

The empire on which the sun never set, covering a quarter of the globe and having interests in almost every region of the world, had to maintain a vast fleet. This was not only to win potential battles against adversaries but also to protect its incredibly long and numerous shipping (trade) routes. The shape of the Empire dictated the shape of the fleet. Primarily, British ships had to be capable of navigating the roughest oceans and also possess long-range capabilities. This was not a coastal fleet. Therefore, players will quickly notice how large British cruisers (2nd class according to the game criteria) are, for instance.

Assuming command of the Royal Navy squadrons, you will have a wide selection of ships, especially large vessels, and your ships will be among the best in their classes in the game – an experienced officer corps and splendid shipyards provided the Empire with the finest units. Are you ready to lead the ships of the greatest Empire under the sun into battle?

6th Era – predrednoughts

GMT-UK-001 British Navy Squadron

This is the perfect set to start your adventure with the British navy. It contains the following:

Ship models:
1x Formidable-class battleship,
1x Monmouth-class armoured cruiser,
1x Eclipse-class protected cruiser,
1x Dryad-class torpedo gunboat,
4x 125-Footer-class torpedo boat (2 per base),

Order sets x6,
Ship cards x7 (Eclipse have two different cards),
Card sleeves x7,
HDF ship bases x6.

GMT-UK-002 King Edward VII-class predrednought battleship

Class: 1.
Base length: 14 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 1.

The King Edward VII class was a class of eight pre-dreadnought battleships launched by the Royal Navy between 1903 and 1905.

They marked the first major development of the basic pre-dreadnought type, all of which had been designed by the Director of Naval Construction, William Henry White, with the primary innovation being the adoption of a heavy secondary battery of four 9.2-inch (234 mm) guns to supplement the standard main battery.

King Edward VII is undoubtedly one of the most powerful battleships in the game, capable of easily defeating any other vessel of its class. Its armament and armour are unparalleled, so if the player is willing to bear its high point costs, it will be the true star of his fleet.

GMT-UK-003 Formidable-class predrednought battleship

Class: 1.
Base length: 14 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 1.

The Formidable class of battleships were a three-ship class of pre-dreadnoughts designed by Sir William White and built for the Royal Navy in the late 1890s. The class comprised Formidable, Irresistible, and Implacable.

The Formidable-class battleships can be described as typical battleships in the era before the appearance of the Dreadnought, with 4 main artillery guns, capable of reaching speeds of up to 18 knots. Balanced, though with high performance, the Formidable will excel in every battle.

GMT-UK-004 Monmouth-class armoured cruiser

Class: 2.
Base length: 14 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 1.

The Monmouth class consisted of 10 armoured cruisers built in the early 20th century. The ships were also referred to as County class cruisers as they carried the names of British counties.
The creation of this class of ships was the result of a number of compromises and, as is the case with a compromise, they were not entirely successful constructions. Their task was not only to protect the shipping routes, but also to act as scouts of the fleet. Since the protection of shipping lanes required good seaworthiness as well as a long range, savings had to be sought in armour and armament.
HMS Monmouth was assigned to Rear Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock’s squadron, and was sunk at the Battle of Coronel. HMS Kent and HMS Cornwall took part in the Battle of the Falklands and contributed to the sinking of German light cruisers.
In the game, Monmouth will be a good ship to fight against lighter enemy ships, but she should definitely avoid better-armed armoured cruisers, let alone battleships.

GMT-UK-005 Eclipse-class (1897) & (1905) protected cruiser

Class: 3.
Base length: 12 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 2.

The Eclipse-class cruisers were a class of nine second-class protected cruisers constructed for the Royal Navy in the mid-1890s.

Despite not having the best speed, Eclipse, thanks to its armament, armour, and endurance, will be a very useful vessel, one of the typical workhorses, suitable for engaging other 3rd-class cruisers or smaller vessels.

GMT-UK-006 Apollo-class protected cruiser

Class: 3.
Base length: 10 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 1.

The Apollo class were second-class protected cruisers designed by Sir William White and built for the Royal Navy in the late 19th century. Twenty-one ships of this class were built, making it the largest single class of steel cruisers ever built for the Royal Navy to the same design.

The design followed White’s standard pattern for smaller steel cruisers, being of protected type (with an internal curved steel armour deck protecting the machinery spaces) and featuring low freeboard amidships with raised bulwarks connecting the forecastle and poop for weatherliness.

Cruisers of this type will be typical workhorses of the British fleet, designed for escorting larger vessels and combating small enemy ships. In this role, they should perform excellently due to their armament.

GMT-UK-007 Dryad-class torpedo gunboat

Class: 4.
Base length: 10 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 2.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 2.

The Dryad-class torpedo gunboat was the last class of torpedo gunboat built for the Royal Navy. This type of vessel was rapidly replaced by the faster torpedo boat destroyer.

HMS Dryad is a great example of a class of vessels that disappeared by the end of the 19th century. Although its speed may not match that of destroyers, its powerful torpedo and artillery armament make this vessel very valuable for the player’s fleet, and for opponents, it will be a formidable adversary.

GMT-UK-008 Daring-class torpedo boat destroyer

Class: 4.
Base length: 8 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 4.
Models on one base: 2.
Cards in a set: 2.

Two Daring-class destroyers (Daring and Decoy) were the very first torpedo boat destroyers (“TBDs”) to be ordered for the Royal Navy, the order being placed on 27 June 1892.

Daring and Decoy were both built by Thornycroft, displaced 260 tons and were 56 m in length. They were armed with one 12-pounder gun and three 6-pounder guns, with one fixed 18-in torpedo tube in the bow plus two more torpedo tubes on a revolving mount abaft the two funnels. Their engines could propel them to a speed of 27 knots.

These vessels, thanks to their speed and armament, will not only be excellently suited for attacking large enemy ships but will also perform well in combat against enemy torpedo boats.

GMT-UK-009 125 Footer-class torpedo boat

Class: 4.
Base length: 6 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 4.
Models on one base: 2.
Cards in a set: 2.

In the second half of the 1880s, the construction of several series of new torpedo boats, with a length of 125 feet, began, popularly known as the 125-footers. Their construction was commissioned to several shipyards specialising in such small designs, such as Yarrow or Thornycroft. For this reason, these ships differed in parameters and appearance.

The 125-footer torpedo boats available in the game are exemplary representatives of the ships that were part of this very broad series of vessels. Their torpedo armament will make them a significant threat to any large enemy ship.

GMT-UK-010 Drake-class armoured cruiser

Class: 2.
Base length: 16 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 1.

The Drake class was a four-ship class of armoured cruisers built for the Royal Navy.

HMS Drake, lead ship of her class, was laid down at Pembroke Dock on 24 April 1899, launched on 5 March 1901, and completed on 9 January 1903. 

Armoured cruisers of the Drake class were the largest ever built of their kind at the time (later surpassed by SMS Blücher). With a displacement equal to the largest battleships of the era, significant speed, and robust armament and armour, Drake stands as one of the most powerful cruisers in the game.

GMT-UK-011 Majestic-class predrednought battleship

Class: 1.
Base length 14 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 1.

The Majestic class of nine pre-dreadnought battleships were built for the Royal Navy in the mid-1890s under the Spencer Programme, named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer. With nine units commissioned, they were the most numerous class of battleships.

The ships proved to be among the most successful designs of their day, and they were widely copied in foreign navies.

While somewhat slower than later battleships, the heavily armed and well-armoured Majestic-class battleships can serve as the backbone of any player’s fleet composition.

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GMT-UK-012 River-class torpedo boat destroyer

Class: 4.
Base length: 8 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 4.
Models on one base: 2.
Cards in a set: 2.

The River-class destroyer was a class of torpedo boat destroyer built for the Royal Navy in the first few years of the 20th century. These 37 vessels were all constructed to disparate builders’ designs, just like the preceding classes.

With a general increase in size and more solid construction, the Rivers became the first truly oceangoing and useful torpedo boat destroyers in Royal Navy service.

River is undoubtedly one of the best destroyers available in the game. While not as fast as others, it lacks poor seaworthiness, armed with the latest torpedoes and very powerful artillery, it will be a great addition to the player’s fleet.

GMT-UK-013 HMS Polyphemus torpedo ram

Class: 4.
Base length: 10 cm.
Colour scheme: Victorian (black hull, white superstructures, ochre funnels – Vallejo Yellow Ochre), or wartime (after 1903) – all grey (Vallejo Dark Sea Grey (991)). Deck Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite.
Models in a set: 1.
Models on one base: 1.
Cards in a set: 1.

HMS Polyphemus was a Royal Navy torpedo ram, serving from 1881 until 1903. A shallow-draft, fast, low-profile vessel, she was designed to penetrate enemy harbours at speed and sink anchored ships.

No further vessels were ordered by the Royal Navy, possibly because the development of quick-firing guns had rendered the concept behind her design less practical.

It has been suggested that H. G. Wells’ fictional HMS Thunder Child from his novel The War of the Worlds may have been based on this ship.

This unique vessel must rely on success either through torpedo attacks or its ultimate weapon – the ram. Will you dare to utilise it?