The Falklands War was fought between April 2 and June 14 1982, as the UK sought to wrest its South Atlantic islands from the control of occupying Argentine troops. Victory didn’t come cheaply, with 258 British servicemen killed and another 777 wounded, while Argentina suffered 649 killed and 1068 wounded. One of the worst British losses was that of HMS Sheffield (D80). This Type 42 guided missile destroyer was part of the UK task force sent to the Falkland Islands, and was hit by an Exocet missile fired from an Argentine jet fighter on May 4. The ship was set ablaze and it eventually foundered on May 10, the first Royal Navy ship to be sunk in action for almost 40 years. Twenty crewmen were lost in the missile attack.

On the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War, Dragon has re-launched the HMS Sheffield as a 1/700 scale Premium Edition kit. Commemorating the ship that was lost, the model is fitted out exactly as it appeared during that conflict. As is usual for a Premium Edition release, the model is lavishly supplied with a range of new parts to enhance detail and the modeler’s build experience. There are numerous photo-etched parts to improve detail and add realism e.g. antennas, handrails, helicopter rotor blades. While HMS Sheffield may have been taken by surprise by two Argentine Super Étendard fighters, this new model from Dragon offers a much more pleasant surprise for model ship fans. This vessel has been brought up to the most modern kit standards, plus it remembers an important event in recent Royal Navy history.