| For as long as the Big 5 Battleships
have been available in 700 scale, modelers have complained about the over-simplified
appearance of the cage masts. On the real ship, the main mast has an hour-glass
shape that is not possible to achieve by rolling a piece of photo etch
up into a cone shaped tube. The best option was to assemble one and swell
one end. Well you can forget about that thanks to this new product from
Blue Ridge Models. This set is produced using 3D printed cage masts produced
by Carl Allsup of A2Z innovations, LLC. Platforms, braces, and bracing
are provided courtesy of Tom's Modelworks. Owner Richard Harden had his
set modified to work with the 3D cage masts. |
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| Both masts are included in the set. They are printed out
of a plastic like material that is surprisingly strong and yet somewhat
flexible. They are not brittle like early 3D printed parts. The structures
are printed using the smallest possible framework so that even after a
coat of paint, they still look as close to scale as possible. These masts
will fit the Trumpeter, Hi-Mold, Classic Warships, Midship Models, and
HP Models kits of the Colorado and Tennessee class. |
Click images
to enlarge |
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| PHOTO ETCH |
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| Tom's Modelworks photo etch supplies all the platforms, braces, and
yardarm details. These parts are sized to fit the this cagemast. The internal
platforms are etched in an open mesh pattern and there are parts for early
and late versions such as the Yardarm for USS Colorado or Modernized Maryland.
There are also braces for USS Colorado foremast and diagonal bracing for
USS Colorado foretop
The full list of parts included are:
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Foremast Yardarm
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Braces for fighting tops
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Searchlight Platforms
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Bracing for search light platforms
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Interior Platforms
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Jack Staff for main mast
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Foremast yardarms
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Signal Yardarms for Mainmast
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| BUILDUP EXAMPLE |
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| Below is a build up by Carl using the new set showing how
it it improves the appearance of the kit.
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| Conclusions: |
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