| Pontos has released an upgrade set for
the Academy 1/350 Indianapolis. This "Detail Up" set looks like it includes
all the options you will need to make a highly detailed and accurate ship. |
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| WOOD FLIGHT DECK |
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| This set features a Blue stained wood deck with realistic
wood planking to overlay on top of the kit flight deck. The deck
planking is very accurate with the proper trimming around the edges. This
deck is really thin and doesn't have an oversize wood grain that you sometimes
get with early wood deck sets. |
click images
to enlarge
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| Since there is still some debate about whether the Indy
had her deck painted in 1945, both the deck blue, the naturally wood deck
option are included.
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| FRET 1 |
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| The first fret includes the aircraft crane, and catapults. These are
nicely done with relief etched rivet detail and work in conjunction with
the resin catapults gear shown further down in this review. Ammo racks
and details for the 40 mm guns are included. 20 mm gun parts are nicely
etched with shields and lightweight mounts. Boat davits are nicely etched
in a fold up assembly with rigging to help hang the boats. |
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| FRET 2 |
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| The railings (cut to length for the kit), ladders, and a variety of
platforms are included here. Note the funnel details with footrails, and
fitted platforms. The radar's are well engineered to work with both the
kit parts and some of the CNC turned parts. Not to be overlooked is the
bridge windscreen. They inclined ladders have posable steps and are also
custom made for the various kit locations. The are also a number of antenna
and mast parts to add even more detail. |
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| FRET 3 |
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| Doors with relief etched surface detail and floater net baskets fill
out this fret. |
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| METAL BARRELS AND DETAILS |
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| The kit doesn't rely on just folded flat parts, there are
turned parts where appropriate. Of course the gun barrels are the most
obvious, and the 8" ones are nicely done with deeply drilled out ends.
40 mm gun barrels are nicely done with nice ribs simulating the springs.
The 20 mm look odd, until you see how they work with the folded PE assemblies
to make some awesome twin mounts. There is a nicely shaped SF-1 radome,
jack staff and ensign staff for bow and stern, and kingpost and many other
details.
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| RESIN PARTS (ADVANCED) |
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| To add even more details, Veteran 5" 25 cal open gun mounts are included
to replace the crude ones in the kit. 40 mm mounts are exceptionally detailed
and are far superior to the kit parts. These parts are very fine, but are
very accurate and have a more to-scale appearance. These are only included
in the advanced set. |
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| As mentioned above extra parts for the catapult are included as some
things just cant be simulated in PE. The piping and cylinders are well
cast with minimal flash. |
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| STEEL DECKS AND ARMOR BELT (FRET
4) |
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| New steel decks are included to replace the kits plastic ones. Detail
is more to-scale with etched panel lines where they belong. New side panels
to simulate the side armor panels will help make the ship more accurate. |
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| PAINTING MASKS |
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| One thing about the Academy kit that many modelers will
not like is the molded on anti slip tread pads. They are way over scale
and one of the reasons why the above mentioned decks are included. The
reproduce those rubber pads that were placed on the decks, Pontos has provided
deck masks that will allow you to airbrush them on in a more accurate way. |
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| DECALS |
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| These are actually dry transfers instead of waterslide decals which
will simulate the draft marking and hull numbers. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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The instructions are full color and include subassembly
views showing how all the parts go together. They appear to be very thorough
and help illustrate where all the parts go.
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| BUILDUP PHOTOS FROM THE MANUFACTURER |
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| The following photos from Pontos show the finished kit
and some subassemblies showing what your kit can look like. Even more photos
and discussion can be found on the shipmodels.info
forum here.
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| CONCLUSIONS |
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This new set from Pontos, is a work of art. Not for the beginner, but
the perfectionist that wants to have all the details just right. The engineering
in this set is impressive and addresses the shortcomings of the kit. The
photo etch and machined brass parts are expertly designed and the end result
is just stunning. This is kit #35017F1 1/350 USS Indianapolis CA-35 Detail
Up Set with a Price of $139.95
USD advance or $99.95
at Freetime Hobbies. It's a lot of money, yes, but considering the detail
it adds, I would say it well worth it.
Check their website
for more information or inquire
on the forum about the set. |
