The USS Saratoga was the second of the
Lexington Class carriers. Laid down as part of six Lexington-class
battle
cruisers, Saratoga and her sister Lexington were converted to
aircraft carriers as a result of the Washington Naval
Treaty. The other planned battle cruisers - Constellation,
Ranger, Constitution and United States - were
scrapped incomplete on the building ways. Large (they were
the largest ships in the world for sometime) and fast, the
two carriers became the test bed and proving ground for US Naval
Aviation in the 1930’s.
Saratoga performed solid service during the war - she just missed
the Battle of Midway and participated in the
Battle of the Eastern Solomon's - but her record was diminished
in some eyes by being torpedoed twice in 1942 and
being severely damaged by kamikazes off Iwo Jima in February,
1945. Saratoga ended World War II as a training
carrier, then met her demise as a target during the post-war
atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, where she sank after
one such test in 1946. Today, she's a popular diving
attraction for visitors to the atoll. 1
I expected that this kit would share a lot of parts with the Lexington
kit, but the hull, flight deck, and all the sprues are all new on this
kit. |
|
|
| HULL PARTS |
|
| The hull is one piece molded in the waterline style. A
separate flat waterline base and full lower hull are molded in red plastic.
The hull has numerous portholes molded open with rain gutters. There are
several openings for the ships boats in the hull sides. |
Click images
to enlarge |
 |
|
|
| FLIGHT DECK |
|
| The flight deck is one piece with nice wood planking and other surface
details. The safety netting is molded to the deck, but most modelers will
probably remove these in favor of photo etch replacements. The deck elevator
openings are molded in the open so you can show the elevators raised or
lowered. |
 |
|
|
| The aft deck is molded a single part without the splinter shields as
they were not added until she was refitted. |
 |
|
|
| SPRUE A |
|
| This sprue has the flight deck elevators and interior parts. The walls
in the elevator well have plenty of surface detailing and the elevator
can be positioned at any point from fully lowered to raised. The recesses
for the ships boats that fit into the hulls sides are also included here. |
 |
|
|
| SPRUE B |
|
| Many of the other deck edge splinter shields and included on this sprue.
I was impressed by the whaleboat molded with separate seats and deck, really
nice for 1/700 scale. |
 |
|
|
| SPRUE C |
|
| The funnel sides and much of the superstructure are on this sprue.
They also include open portholes and nice surface detailing. |
 |
|
|
| SPRUE D |
|
| The rest of the bridge superstructure is molded on this sprue. It features
open square bridge windows and plenty of nice detailing. There are quite
a few parts and some modelers may be a little intimidated by this assembly.
The crane came out well for plastic as did the main mast. |
 |
|
|
| SPRUE E |
|
| There of two of these sprues with mostly weapons on it. The 5" gun
mounts and 8" twin turrets are nice for plastic. Boats feature wood deck
planking, raised but still nice. There are even several open chocks and
other small details. |
 |
|
|
| DISPLAY BASE OPTIONS |
|
| Besides just giving you a full hull and waterline option. You get a
base and nameplate for full hull display. But the real plus is the inclusion
of a waterline base molded in a blue translucent color. This base has a
moderate wake around the ships outline. The base sits about 3/4" tall,
but I am thinking about cutting the sides off and mounting mine to a flat
wood base. |
 |
|
|
| AIRCRAFT |
|
 |
All aircraft are nicely molded in clear plastic. They feature
separate landing gear and some have separate tail surfaces.
|
| TG2 Bomber Aircraft |
 |
|
|
| SBU Scout Bomber |
 |
|
|
| F3F Fighter |
 |
|
|
| BFC Bomber/Fighter |
 |
|
|
| DECALS |
|
| A decal sheet is included with aircraft markings. A variety of squadron
markings are included for each aircraft. Deck stripes and flags are very
well done. |
 |
|
|
| INSTRUCTIONS |
|
| A twelve 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 also
showing the aircraft. Decal location is called out as are the colors used
to paint all the parts. |
 |
|
|
| LINKS AND REFERENCE |
|
|
|
 |
| CONCLUSIONS |
|
 Yet
another impressive kit from Trumpeter. This one is most welcome, as prewar
ships have been overlooked for years. This one will allow you to model
a bit of color with a deck full of Yellow Wings. This is kit #TSM-5738
1/700 USS Saratoga CV3 Aircraft Carrier with a list price of
$34.95 US. A nice price for a large well detailed kit of this important
ship in this unique prewar livery.
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. Thanks also
to Martin Quinn for his historical summary. |
