When Cyber Hobby released its first 1/700 ship item in the Orange Box series, it proved an instant hit with consumers. Thanks to its low pricing point and its unbeatable value of two kits in the one box, this item was swiftly snapped up by model-makers. Now Cyber Hobby has launched a second 1/700 scale set. The new one features a Russian submarine and an American destroyer, allowing modelers to recreate a post-Cold War scenario. The destroyer is the U.S.S. Cole (DDG-67), perhaps most infamously known as the vessel that was attacked and bombed by Islamic Al-Qaeda extremists while refueling in the Yemeni port of Aden on 12 October 2000. The suicide attack killed 17 sailors and wounded another 39. The U.S.S. Cole is an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer. It was commissioned on 8 June 1996.

The submarine kit in the box, meanwhile, is a Typhoon-class vessel. This Project 941 or Akula type (Akula means "Shark" in Russian) is a Russian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine that first appeared in the 1980s. It carries 20 SS-N-20 missiles, each of which contain a maximum of ten nuclear warheads. The Typhoon is the largest sub ever built, with maximum displacement of 33,800 tons and a crew of 163. The Typhoon class is among the quietest subs in Russian service, and a total of six vessels were built. Only one remains in active service, however. Both these ship kits are accurately scaled, and are replete with fine detail. They are obviously existing kits from Dragon's range, but they have received a makeover with the addition of a new set of decals from Cartograf. With two such interesting vessels in the box, this item from Orange Box is an attractive buy!