modelwarships.com KA Models MK1 1/200 CV-8 Hornet Detail-Up Set

KA Models MK1 1/200
CV-8 Hornet Detail-Up Set

Reviewed 4/2/2015
by Timothy Dike

KA Models has released their new MK1 Design Detail-Up Set for the new Merit/Trumpeter 1/200 USS Hornet kit. This new set is packed full of photo etch, resin, CNC turned brass, wood deck and other items to totally transform your Hornet into a state-of-the-art build. There are a lot of parts in this kit, so I am going to let the pictures do the talking.

WOOD DECK

The wood deck is laser cut on a very thin sheet with adhesive backing. The deck has scale sized planks and provisions for the tie down strips and arresting gear provided on the photo etch shown below.

Click images
to enlarge

METAL CNC TURNED PARTS

There is an abundance of turned brass parts with everything from masts to gun barrels

The mast parts are tapered where needed. Some of the parts feature some elaborate end machining.

Bodies for the Bombs and Torpedoes are all precision machined. Hubs for the propellers are even turned.

New 5" gun barrels have drilled out ends and fit nicely into the resin bodies shown below. 1.1" and 20 mm barrels are included as well as new 20 mm pedestals.

Paravane bodies are also turned brass. The machining on these parts is amazing.

MISCELLANEOUS PARTS

New anchor chain (30 cm) is provided as well as lengths (70 cm) of PVC hose for UNREP.

PHOTO ETCH

FRET A Custom cut railings and ladders. The railings are pre sized for the kit.

FRET A1
Aircraft tie down strips.

FRET A2
More tiedown strips along with elevator end trim and arrestor gear.

FRET AIR A
B-25 Bomb bay interiors and doors. Landing gear and boarding ladders.

FRET AIR B
Wing fold joints for the Wildcats and Devestator aircraft.

FRET AIR C
Wheel chocks for the aircraft.

FRET AIR D
Propellers for the aircraft featuring pre painted blades.

FRET ARMAMENT A
20 MM Gun bases, ammo cans, shoulder rests, and other details.

FRET ARMAMENT B
5" gun platforms, railings, and details. 1.1" gun sights, breaches, and other details.

FRET BASIC B
Walkway flooring relief etched with an open grate pattern. Elevator edge trim.

FRET ARMAMENT C
Life raft inserts and deck framing with tiedown strips.

FRET BASIC D
Walkways and platforms with open mesh floors.

FRET E
Relief etched flight deck underside bracing and supports.

FRET E
More relief etched flight deck underside bracing and walkways and platforms with open mesh floors.

FRET G
More relief etched walkways and platforms with open mesh floors.

FRET H
More relief etched flight deck underside bracing and walkways and platforms with braces and gussets.

FRET I
Walkways and platforms with open mesh floors and attached railings as well as inclined ladders.

FRET J
Boat and aircraft handling cranes and rigging.

FRET K
Life raft inserts, boat oars, hinged port hole covers and more details.

FRET L
Ladders, wind fences, and accommodation ladders.

FRET M
A multitude of relief etched doors and portholes.

FRET MAST
New thin walled structure for the fighting top includes diamond plate flooring and other details.

FRET N
Three different types of doors with relief etches handles and dogs.

FRET RADAR
Mk-4 radar antenna assemblies for the Mk-37 directors, CXAM and SC radar assemblies.

FRET VEHICLE
Bodies for the deck tractor, bomb carts, and aircraft handling equipment.

RESIN PARTS

New detailed 5" gun parts with detailed breach and socket for the brass barrels.

Replacement wings for the Wildcats are designed to work with the PE wing fold details.

New sighting hoods with canvas covers to replace the simplistic kit parts.

Resin wheels with realistic thread for the forklift and bomb carts.

Realistic coiled rope and cable for the cable reels centers.

INSTRUCTIONS

Twenty two pages of detailed assembly views in full color should guide you through the building process. The photos help illustrate the detail of this set.

This new set is well thought out, a perfect mix of PE, Brass, resin and wood laminate. The upgrade is engineered to make use of the strong point of each media. A 200 scale carrier will occupy a lot of space and it allows for a lot of detailing. This set supplies virtually everything needed to super detail your kit to the extreme.

Thanks to KA Models for the review sample. It is listed as item # MD-20007 1/200 KA Models CV-8 USS Hornet Deluxe Upgrade Set (With Full Wood Deck) with a list price of $298 US.