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| OVERVIEW |
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| This new set from Lion Roar of China is specifically designed for the
new Trumpeter
North Carolina kit. It includes just about every aftermarket item you
would want to add to your USS North Carolina. It comes packaged in as an
attractive boxed set with 15 different photo etch frets, machined brass
and aluminum gun barrels, cast propellers, and even scale anchor chain.
All the parts are securely wrapped and protected. |
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| PHOTOETCH FRETS |
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| The photo etch frets are separated onto parts specific frets that should
allow for some of the common items to used on other sets or offered by
themselves. The first fret include railings for the superstructure all
labeled and the proper length for the part they fit on. These are of the
two and three bar variety. |
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| Also on this fret are cable reels that are intricately
relief etched. These fold up into a "U" shape and use a 3 mm plastic rod
for the center.
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| This fret is the standard railing that run along the edges of the deck.
These have a slight droop to the chain that is noticeably thinner than
the stantions. The railings include a "gutter rail" that makes them easier
to install along the deck. The stantions protrude slightly above the top
chain. |
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This fret includes many of the North Carolina specific details. Frames
for the gun openings on the 5" 38 twin mount along with hatches and access
plates. Funnel platforms and railings will dress up those otherwise plain
looking plastic funnels. There are accommodation ladders for boarding in
left and right hand styles. 
You get some real nice individual letters to spell out North Carolina in
relief on the stern. In wartime these were painted over, but you could
still make them out since they were made from steel plate. |
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| This fret is includes the two aircraft catapult assemblies. They are
relief etched with some real nice detailing. There is really fine diamond
tread plate and even rivet detail on the truss work Two aircraft dollies
are included to hold your float planes. |
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| The aircraft and boat cranes are provided on this fret. These also
include some really nice pulley and hook details. Relief etching is used
on the boat cranes to distinguish the frame work from the flat steel plates. |
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| This fret provided the base for the quad 40 mm gun mounts. These are
simple thick brass disks, but they serve their purpose and save your from
having to scratch build your own bases. |
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| The various search and fire control radar's are included on this fret.
They include the SK-2, Mk-37, and Mk-8 radar's. The Mk-37 is provided with
two types of bases. The SK looks a little complicated and might present
a bit of a challenge to assemble with all it's small parts. But the final
effect will so much better than the solid plastic dish provided in the
kit. |
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| There are two of these brass frets with 40 mm quad gun assemblies on
them. Unlike the guns included in the kit, these have shields. The parts
on this fret almost completely replace the kit parts. The finished assemblies
include seats and steering pedals.
Inclined ladders with steps that fold up to give them a more realistic
appearance. |
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| Doors and hatches of all types are on this fret. Both open and closed
types with nicely etched details will really make your kit stand out.
Propellers for the Kingfisher float plane and outrigger float braces
are also provided. |
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| Two frets with two types of 20 mm gun mounts are included on this fret.
Single and twin mounts are provided with base ring and tripod type pedestals.
The shields are relief etched with a simulated brace pattern on the back
side. Modelers who would rather not replace the plastic mounts can cut
the shields from these assemblies, but these will look more too scale than
the thicker plastic parts. I should note that this type of construction
allows for the guns to be elevated at different angles if you so desire. |
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| Two frets of floater net baskets are provided. They are
relief etched with net pattern on the sides. |
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| This stainless steel fret includes such raft bottom netting, for the
square and oval variety. You also get a bunch of oars to place in them.
There are also some handrails and ladders for the main gun turrets. A couple
of SG radar antenna are also included. |
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| Safety netting to attach to the outside railings are provided
on this fret.
Gun sights for the quad 40 mm guns are the only other items found on
this fret. |
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| Outrigger float braces for the other Kingfisher and some extra catapult
parts are included on this fret. |
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| METAL PARTS |
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| The metal parts in this set are what really makes it stand out. Replacement
gun barrels, props, chain, and even ships bells. |
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| 16" 45 Cal. Gun Barrels |
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| There are nine CNC Machined gun barrels to replace the kits plastic
parts. These are center drilled and include a mounting pin to allow you
to attach them to the plastic gun base, though you will have to cut the
old barrel and drill a mounting hole in the left over stub. The end result
is a dramatic improvement over the plastic pasts included in the kit. |
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| 5" 38 Cal Gun Barrels |
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| There are twenty of these brass gun barrels, and amazingly they are
also center drilled for a hollow appearance. Very nicely done and they
also include a mounting pin. All you have to do is cut away the plastic
barrel from it's base and drill a mounting hole. You can adjust the gun
elevation by drilling these mounting holes at almost any spot along it's
base. |
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| Cast Metal Propellers |
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| Four different propellers are included in brass. There are left and
right hand four and five bladed props with what appears to be the proper
pitch and a mounting hole cast on the back. |
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| Anchor Chain |
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| Modelers have been adding real chain to their ships for
years, and now you can too. There is enough anchor chain to really make
your ship stand out. |
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| Ships Bell |
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| Two brass ships bells are included to mount on your ship. another nice
touch. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| Instructions are five pages with several subassembly view
and one page dedicated to identifying the parts. These are pretty good,
but it would be nice if more information was provided.
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| BUILDUP PHOTOS |
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| These photo's of the Trumpeter kit built up with the photo
etch components are provided by the manufacturer. The unpainted photo etch
really stands out on this model and helps to illustrate how the parts dress
up an otherwise plain kit.
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| CONCLUSIONS |
|
 This
set is perhaps the most complete set ever offered for this kit. Not only
does it includes a very nice photo etch set, but the gun barrels alone
make it a must have for the superdetailer. Check out this and other Lion
Roar sets at your favorite retailer. You can find out more at the Lion
Roar website. This is set #350001 USS North Carolina Update Conversions
Series. |
