THREE new state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyers have been built for the Royal Navy – but unfortunately they were all made from plastic.
The new official Royal Navy toy has hit the shelves across the country and is already proving to be a hit.
Every detail, from the rotating gun turret to the sophisticated Sampson radar, is replicated by firm Character Building which developed the toy with navy officials.
The ship, which comes with five toy sailors and a helicopter, has to be built from scratch like Lego.
It was unveiled by Flag Lieutenant Oliver Clark at the First Sea Lord’s office in London this week.
And yesterday three teams onboard real Type 45 HMS Diamond had a go at putting the model together at Portsmouth Naval Base. To make it extra challenging, they were not allowed to look at the instruction manual.
Able Seaman Danni Litt, 20, said: ‘It’s weird putting our own ship together, it looks like the real thing. It would be easier if we had instructions though.’
She added: ‘It’s amazing that it even comes with pliers and spanners and stuff.’
The toy is available on the high street and in supermarkets priced at £49.99 and is just the start of an officially-licenced range of HM Armed Forces toys to hit the shops.
Steve Hayton, head of Royal Navy licencing, who helped develop the toys, said: ‘They’ve been selling well. This is our most popular product in terms of royalties at the moment.’
Mr Hayton wouldn’t say how much money the navy has made from the toys so far, but said: ‘Let’s just say it’s been a worthwhile project.’
The money raised will be put towards welfare projects for sailors and other promotional events, he added.
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