Sarissa Precision Limited has produced a kit of a Dark Ages Longship in MDF and mount board. This can be used for a number of different peoples from the Dark Ages but is most often associated with the ‘Vikings’, the collection of Northern raiders who plied their trade across the known world and beyond.
The kit consists of two sheets of laser cut MDF and one of mount board. The MDF helps to construct the ribs and deck of the ship, with the keel frame and ribs being cut in such a way that you can build the two halves, then use more MDF to join the whole thing together.
Once the deck has been added, the mount board is glued to the sides. By using sufficiently thin mount board, the hull sides of the vessel may be shaped to the MDF frame to create the rounded shape characteristic of this style of ship.
The mast may be depicted as raised or stowed, and there are oars and shields that may be added for additional detail.
The kit itself is simple to assemble, although choice of glue is important. Gary Faulkner, joint designer of this and much of Sarissa’s output, has mentioned in his articles in WI that superglue in gel form is perhaps the best choice.
Overall, like all the kits Sarissa makes, the kit is simple enough for the wargamer to quickly add them to their painting queue and offers a few generic details to provide authenticity. The instructions provided are simple to follow and in both pictorial and written form. Ultimately, Sarissa’s goal is to produce a kit that is quick to make and simple to get ready for tabletop use.