| The USS Pittsburgh was a member of the
Baltimore Class Heavy Cruisers. This were the ultimate wartime Cruiser
with a standard 3 triple 8" main turrets and six twin 5" 38 cal dual purpose
secondary guns. Every other available spot on the ship was filled with
20 mm and 40 mm anti aircraft guns.
This new kit is a cooperative effort between Trumpeter and Pit-Road.
Pit-Road had previously released a couple Baltimore Class CA's under the
Waveline label in resin. When I heard of this kits impending release, I
thought they would simply redo the old Waveline kit. But this is a whole
new kit that bears little resemblance to the earlier one. The kit builds
a 1944 Pittsburgh as shown on the painting on the box cover. I like the
box art, but I can't help but notice that the ship in the background appears
to be a 1942 New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser. |
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| HULL PARTS |
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| The hull is molded as a waterline kit with a lower hull
option. The stern is molded separately to allow the manufacturer to also
do a Baltimore without producing a separate hull. The Baltimore and Pittsburgh
are nearly identical except for the stern. See the Baltimore
review for to see those differences. The stern is split diagonally with
a tab on the inside so it won't be difficult to align it squarely. |
Click images
to enlarge |
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The modeler has the choice of full hull or waterline display. Flat waterline
and full hull options are molded in red. The deck is also split at the
stern, but the split is where the steel deck meets the wood deck and this
makes it easy for the modeler to hide the resulting seam. The deck planking
is nicely done, and another nice feature is that the locator holes are
not open all the way through, so you won't have to fill them if they are
not used on your ship. |
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| SPRUE A |
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| Sprue A contains the propeller shafts and rudder. There is also a mast,
and the associated platforms for it. The gun tubs that are on this sprue
have a square grid pattern on the floor. |
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| SPRUE E |
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| This is the main superstructure parts sprue. Notice the nice deck planking
and the simulated diamond plate tread on the steel decks. There are no
Aztec stairs on this kit, but a new approach is to mold only the foot plates
to the walls. Better, but advanced modelers will probably replace these
with photo etch. |
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| SPRUE F |
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| This sprue has many of the other superstructure. Splinter shields are
better done on this ship than earlier kits. Some of the walls have portholes
molded open. |
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| SPRUE G |
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| This is the weapons sprue and there are two of them in the kit. The
8" main gun turrets have separate turret sides with molded on sighting
hoods. The 5" 38 cal twin mounts are a little plain. The 20 mm guns mounts
are molded as one piece in a very simplistic fashion. I prefer the way
the 20 mm guns are
done on the Trumpeter Lexington
and Essex
class kits. |
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| However it should be noted that they forgot to include
the shields for those other mounts. At least they are included in this
kit, but I feel this is a step back from the innovative molding we have
seen in their other kits.
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| SPRUE H |
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| There are also two of these sprues in the kit with the float planes,
catapults, and cranes. Many of the gun tubs and life rafts are also on
this sprue. |
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| DISPLAY BASE OPTIONS |
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| A display stand and and nameplate are included for full hull display. |
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| DECALS |
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| A decal sheet is included with flags and hull numbers in black and
white. Aircraft insignia are provided for the float planes. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| A eight page instruction booklet describe the assembly in great detail
with a variety of sub assembly views. These instructions are well done
and should provide all the information that is needed to build this ship.
For painting, a color plan and multiple profile sheet is included. Decal
location is called out. Gunze Sangyo color numbers are used to help you
paint the MS 33/18d camouflage pattern used in 44. |
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| Conclusions: |
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 Yet
another impressive kit from Trumpeter. This is kit #TSM-5726 1/700 USS
Pittsburgh CA72 Heavy Cruiser 1944 with a suggested list price of $22.95
US. A great price for this highly detailed Heavy Cruiser. There were quite
a few Baltimore Class Cruisers built, so this kit can be the basis for
many different ships.
Thanks to Stevens
International for the review sample. They are the exclusive importer
for Trumpeter kits in the US. If your hobby shop does not carry Trumpeter
kits have them contact Stevens
International or try their Hobby Shop Locator to find one. |
