Reviewed by Timothy Dike
| Trumpeter now has a couple of fast battleships available in 1/350. They are pretty good kit, but that just doesn't cut it for those of you who don't build out of the box. A comprehensive detail set is needed to give the ship a realistic appearance. This set includes virtually everything you will need to add realistic detailing your South Dakota class BB. Like his other sets, Loren Perry has incorporated relief etching to enhance the 3D effect of otherwise flat details. This really shows up on items like the float plane catapults with realistic diamond plate on the deck and side frames that appear to be constructed of angle iron. Those same catapults have perforated walkways that will really look cool on the finished ship. Nice crane assemblies are vast improvements over the plastic kit parts. The radar assemblies have nice intricate details that are lacking in the solid plastic kit parts. But don't take my word for it, take a look at the pictures below and see for yourself. | |||||||||
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| Many of the fine detail parts you have seen on other USN ship sets are on this fret too. The nice relief etched cable reels and watertight doors. The railings are custom tailored to the ship and the deck edge railings include chocks in the appropriate places. Separate chocks fold over these to give them some bulk and make them stand out. | |||||||||
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Missing from the Trumpeter kit are gun shields for their 20 mm guns. You will find these in this set as well as parts to dress them up a bit. The 40 mm gun parts will help improve the quad mounts too. I suspect that many will opt to replace the kit parts entirely, but I am glad these are included for those who don't want to go to that extra step. |
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This new set is custom designed for the Trumpeter USS Massachusetts & Alabama battleship kits and contains the following items:
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| INSTRUCTIONS | |||||||||
The instructions as usual are first rate, and include many
detail views showing how the parts go together and work with the existing
plastic parts. These will be very helpful in detailing your ship.
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| CONCLUSIONS | |||||||||
This is an excellent set to do a South Dakota class fast battleship. It has a variety of radar's and details for just about any time period you wish to model. Don't forget that Gold Medal Models also has many of the details in this set available separately, such as doors and hatches, 20 mm and 40 mm gun details, and of course decals. This is set # 350-41 MASSACHUSETTS & ALABAMA with a retail price of $42.00 US. A great price for a complete makeover set that will greatly enhance the kit. You can order direct from Gold Medal Models or pick your set up wherever fine ship accessories are sold. |
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