1/350 Admiral Kuznetsov
Photo Etch Set
by White Ensign models |
| Trumpeter has been on a roll lately with a flood of new 1/350 kit releases.
Their new Admiral Kuznetsov is another welcome addition to the 1/350 ship
modelers crowd. Many modelers will be content to build her as is, but most
of you read this site because you want to take it a step further. This
new set designed by Peter Hall doesn't just take you a step further, it
takes you a leap forward with enough detail options to turn you ship into
an accurate scale miniature of the real ship. The set contains two frets,
both relief etched of the typical quality that White Ensign Models is know
for. |
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Fret A
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Close ups of the fret details
The first fret includes the radar and Antennas. They are relief etched
and will go a long way towards fixing the biggest weakness of the Trumpeter
kit. The mess is finely etched and the frame work stands out in contrast.
The Fregat assembly is well designed and is very detailed. The fire control
radar parts will turn that plain plastic part into a highly detailed assembly
that will really draw attention. |
Fret A Contains:
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Funnel Mounted Antenna Dipoles
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Kashtan Mounting Antenna Dipoles F20
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Topaz (Strut Pair) Antenna Back Frame
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Topaz (Strut Pair) Antenna
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Topaz (Strut Pair) Antenna Mounting Frame
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Island Forward DF Antenna A28/29
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Kashtan Mounting Small Dipoles F19
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Funnel Aft DF Antenna Loop A32/E12
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Cake Stand' Homing Beacon Antennas F15
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Fregat Radar Centre Pintle
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Fregat Radar Small Mounting
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Fregat Radar Large Mounting
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Fregat Radar IFF Mounting Plate
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Fregat Radar IFF Antenna
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Fregat Radar Large Rear Frame
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Fregat Radar Small Rear Frame
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Fregat Radar Large Front Plate
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Fregat Radar Small Front Plate
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Funnel Mounted UHF Antennas
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'Cake Stand' DF Loop Antenna A22
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Pole Antenna Spreaders for D35
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ESM Antenna Poles
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ESM Antenna Dipoles
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Island Port Aft Upper Antenna
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Island Port Aft Upper Antenna Brace
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Starboard Bow Antenna
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Island Starboard Aft Upper Antenna
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MR360 Podkat Top Antenna F4
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MR360 Podkat Dish Antenna Cross
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Island Superstructure Doors
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Cable Reels .
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The second fret includes the railings, safety nets, and deck edge rails.
There is a multitude of platforms and braces to accent the kit parts. The
folding whip antenna can be displayed up or down. There are plenty of life
raft canisters to allow you to realistically mount them to the sides of
the ship. For the deck there are arrester wire guides to add a little depth
to that flight deck.
Fret B
 |
| Close ups of the fret details
Check out the relief etching on the bow stars and crest! |
Fret B Contains:
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Deck Edge Foot Rails
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Crane Rigging
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Short Handrails
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MR360 Podkat Platform Rails
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4 Bar Superstructure Rails
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4 Bar Standard Rails
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3 Bar Platform Rails
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2 Bar Half Rails
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Elevator Retractable Safety Rail
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Flight Deck Aft Safety Net
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Flight Deck Angle Safety Net C11
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Flight Deck Forward Safety Net
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Port Forward Klinok SA-N-9 Launcher Net
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Folding Safety Barrier Stbd Klinok Launcher
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Folding Safety Barrier Section D23
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Folding Safety Barrier Sections D26
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Folding Safety Barrier Sections D3 & D4
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Folding safety Barrier Sections D7 & D8
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Bridge Roof HF/DF Antenna
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Funnel Lattice Yardarms
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Lattice Yardarm Walkways
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Bridge Wing Supports
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Island ECM Platform Supports
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Flyco Position Supports
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Island Aft Pole Antenna Yards for E20
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Cake Stand' Top Rails
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Elevator Folding Safety Rails
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Deck Edge Folding Safety Barriers (Short)
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Deck Edge Folding Safety Barriers (Long)
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Port Flight Deck Edge Platform (Large)
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Port Flight Deck Edge Platforms (Small)
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Island Starboard Vent Grills
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Island Port Vent Grills
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MR360 Podkat Platform Support (Port Aft)
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MR360 Podkat Platform Support (Stbd Aft)
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MR360 Podkat Platform Supports (Forward)
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Folding Antenna Mountings (Island Aft)
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Folding Antenna Mountings
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Funnel Yardarm Inner Lattice Antennas
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Funnel Yardarm Outer Lattice Antennas
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Crane Fittings
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Bow Stars
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Bow Crest
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Funnel Starboard Antenna Mounting
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Island Aft Pole Antenna Supports E19
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RBU12000 Linkages
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Elevator Well Catwalk Railing
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Elevator Platform Cables
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Folding Antenna Platform (Sponson)
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Loud Speaker Faces
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QR Doors
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Long Inclined Ladders
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Sky Watch Plate Corner Antennas
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Arrester Wire Guides
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Arrester Wire Deck Feeds
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Inclined Ladders
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Double Width Vertical Ladders
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Standard Vertical Ladders
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Short Inclined Ladders
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Lower Elevator Deck Railings
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QR Doors
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Folding Antenna Platform (Ramp)
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Life Raft Canister Holders (Starboard)
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Life Raft Canister Holders (Port)
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| The instructions are very extensive 8 pages of well detailed drawings
and assembly guides. They are very well written and illustrated and show
not only how the various photo etch parts fold up, but also how they integrate
with the kit parts.
|
 Conclusions:
This is another great photo etch set, the etching is extremely fine and
the virtually every possible part you would need is included. This is set
#PE 3537 is priced at £34.00 a fair price for all the details that
are included. If you are still sane after adding all the detail parts in
this set then try your hand at detailing the airwing and adding deck equipment
with companion sets WEM 1/350 Admiral Kuznetsov Airwing
Fittings #PE-3580, and WEM 1/350 Modern
Russian Carrier Deck Equipment #PE 3581. |
