6285 - Black Seas Barracuda

Rating:
Pros: Awesome, realistic ship model
Cons: None
Contents: 865 pieces including 8 mini-figs, 1 monkey, and 1 parrot
Price: Discontinued
Reviewed: 27-Jul-1997
Reviewed by: Joseph Gonzalez

Vengeance Turns II
An impetuous Admiral Dario Rodriguez has paid the price for his foolish ways. For days, Captain Charlie Lynch has had Dario followed through three ports and finally to Murcielago Bay where Rodriguez had a meeting with local authorities. All too quickly, Rodriguez was back on his ship, the Anna Victoria, and rushing out to sea and into the line of fire of Lynch's ship the Brawler. Disabling shots were easily fired on the Anna Victoria before her crew could even react and Captain Lynch now brings his ship around for another ramming into the side of the already sinking hull. Firing down on struggling survivors as the Brawler passes over the wreckage of the armada ship, Lynch's men get lost in their malicious fun until it is too late. The battle clipper East Wind suddenly appears around the bend and immediately begins firing upon the Brawler. Two large holes rip into the side of the massive ship but Lynch knows he is an even match for the East Wind. He will stay and finish this fight!

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Where I once believed I could determine the type of model the Black Seas Barracuda was by pictures, actually acquiring the model and assembling it has proven to be an eye-opening experience. This is a superior schooner model with great use of space and nice attention to detail.
The Barracuda is a schooner style vessel with simple color combinations of yellow, white and red. Identical spacious hold areas located in the front and rear of the ship are accessed from above by deck hatches or on the lower level by way of shuttered windows. Though these are very roomy for barrels and treasure chests, you shouldn't shove anything too far back or you'll have to dismantle the ship to get your cargo back. Grey plates neatly cover these cargo areas and serve as decks for the second level, even passing over the port hatches through which two cannons on each side shoot. A large cabin at the rear of the ship is entered through double wooden doors on each side of a staircase that leads to the upper (hinged) bridge/deck. Access for playing in the cabin can be achieved by lifting the upper deck or lowering the hinged rear wall of the cabin.
Perhaps the best thing about this ship is that it can easily be turned into a non-pirate/merchant ship. Where later Pirate ships have the skull and crossbones boldly printed on the main sails, the jolly roger insignia are used moderately on four pirate flags here. Take down the flags and you have a ship with absolutely no pretensions other than being a simple carrier craft.
Unique pieces are firing hatches in red and two strange yellow six-petal flower-like elements that adorn the rear. The crew is made up of eight pirates and a captain (I used the female figurehead as a crew member to add some gender variation to my mostly male crew). Also, an abundance of swords, muskets and pistols make the set that much more appealing.
This set is very satisfying, and considering the beautiful model it makes, the instructions alone are worth looking for.