As part of “Project Protector” for the Royal New Zealand Navy, TENIX Maritime Defence is constructing a new 132m long Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) which will be named HMNZS CANTERBURY (L-421). This vessel will greatly enhance the capabilities of of RNZN and provide them with a vessel able to transport personnel and their equipment for disaster relief and other operations. The vessel is being constructed in the Netherlands and will then be “fitted out” at Williamstown, Victoria before being handed over to the RNZN. She is similar to vessels already in service with the Dutch and Spanish Navies.
As part of the project, DEFENCE MODELS AND GRAPHICS was commissioned to construct models of each of the classes of vessels, all to a constant scale of 1:150. The MRV model being the largest and most complex. A hull was moulded by APS Models in fibre-glass whilst the rest of the vessel was built from styrene, timber, cast polyurethane parts and some photo-etched brass fittings.
Included in the model was a fully open vehicle deck with several small armoured vehicles and shipping containers loaded inside and both the stern and side loading ramps lowered. The hangar to house the ships SEASPRITE Helicopter was also left open and shows the workshops off to one side and the forward doors through which 5 MRH-90 transport helicopters can be stored.
The model was completed in the RNZN colour scheme and fitted inside a one piece acrylic display case supplied by CityWest Plastics and this all fits into an aluminium transport case supplied by Samuelsons Cases.
She will be used at official functions and displays along with the models of the 85m Off-Shore Patrol Vessel and the 55m In-Shore Patrol Vessel models also constructed by DMG for TENIX. Three more models of this vessel are being constructed for TENIX at the moment. 
