| The Essex class was the US Navy's standard
heavy carrier. These ships were built in large numbers to help replace
the loses suffered by earlier carriers. The USS Franklin although carrying
the unluckly number 13, proved to be quite a survivor and proved that the
Essex class carriers could take an increadible beating and still survive.
Trumpeter first released the
Essex class in 1/350 scale, so it only seems logical that they scale
that version down to the Divine 700 Scale. The Yorktown
and Franklin have been released at the same time and are for the most part
the same kit with some minor exceptions such as the nameplate, decals,
instructions, and the extra F4U Corsiars included in this kit. Otherwise
this review is identical to the Yorktown review. |
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| HULL PARTS |
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| This kit is designed much like it's larger cousin, with
a waterline or full hull option molded in red plastic. The hull is cleanly
molded with the short hull bow all as one piece. The majority of the hull
above the hanger deck is left as a separate part. This will allow for many
more Essex class versions to be done.. |
Click images
to enlarge |
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| FLIGHT DECK |
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| The flight deck is molded as a two pieces with lots of surface detail.
Aircraft tie downs and planking is pretty good. The elevators are molded
open so you can position them full up, down, or any point in between. The
bow section includes two catapults, with one set back a little. The bow
fits pretty good and the seam should be a lot easier to hide. |
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| HANGER DECK |
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| A full open hanger deck is included in this kit. The hanger
deck is done as one main sections with a separate bow insert. The deck
has steel plate detailing and nice surface detailing. The Essex class had
a lot of roll up hanger doors so there is a lot of detailing possibilities
here. The bow deck has anchor ways without the anchor chain molded on.
This will allow you to use real chain without having to scrape off the
molded on chain. |
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| SPRUE A |
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| The first sprue mostly includes hanger deck walls. These are well molded
and even the roll up doors are detailed on the inside. |
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| SPRUE B |
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| More walls and other parts on sprue B. There are plenty of separate
doors that you can place in the openings if you chose. |
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| SPRUE C |
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| This sprue has the gun tubs for the open 5" guns and many other platforms.
The elevators have the same nice deck detailing as the flight deck. |
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| SPRUE D |
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| The bridge platforms and funnel sides are among the parts on this sprue.
The splinter shields are pretty thin for plastic. |
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| SPRUE F |
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| These are the main island parts. Like the other parts in this kit,
the walls have hatch and plumbing detail molded on. Ladders are molded
on and nice enough that most modelers will not wish to replace them with
Photo etch. |
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| SPRUE G |
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| This is the main weapons sprue and there are two of them in the kit,
so you will have a few extra parts for the spares box. The 20 mm
guns are pretty nice, but no shields are included for them. They do have
a flat molded on where the shield attaches so it should be easy to attach
the photo etch. But most photo etch shields that I have seen have too narrow
a slow to fit easily. But I'm sure someone will step up to the plate and
offer an aftermarket set soon. The 40 mm gun mounts and the 5" gun mounts
are well done and composed of several separate parts. This allows you to
pose them at any firing angle, and gives you more superdetailing options
and is pretty amazing for this scale. |
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| DISPLAY BASE |
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| Not only do you get an option to build the ship full hull
or waterline, but you get the option to display it either way also. A full
hull base is molded in black to set your ship on. A nameplate is with the
ships name and hull number embosed on it. If you wish to display it in
the waterline mode, a nice clear base is provided with a nice wave and
wake pattern.
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| AIRCRAFT |
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| The aircraft in this kit are simply the best available
in this scale. They are molded in clear plastic so you don't have to worry
about painting the canapy to simulate a transparent color. Simply mask
off the canopy and paint the rest of the aircraft. These aircraft also
benefit from the CAD technology. These are molded with separate
propellers and landing gear. Panel lines are recessed and the lines of
the aircraft look pretty accurate for this scale. There are four of each
in the kit, but they are also available separatetly if you want to add
more. Since the Franklin was commisioned later she also carried the F4U
Corsair, so Trumpeter has included them in this kit. |
| F4U Corsair Fighter (x 4) |
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| F6F Hellcat Fighter (x 4) |
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| SB2C Helldiver Dive Bomber (x 4) |
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| TBF Avenger Torpedo Bomber (six included). |
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| SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber (x 4) |
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Aircraft types carried will vary based on the ship and time period you
are modeling, so you may need more of some of these aircraft. Each type
is available separately as well. |
| DECALS |
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| The decals are pretty good, with deck markings and and plenty of markings
for the aircraft. Deck stripe markings are provided as white dashed lines.
The elevator markings are done in black and the elevator opening stripes
are done in white.
The decals are sharply rendered and you wont have to replace these. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| A 16 page instruction booklet is included to guide you through a step
by step assembly process. The parts are all called out and placement is
well illustrated throughout.
A nice B sized color sheet is included with camouflage markings for
the ship and aircraft. Paint colors are called out as well. |
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| Conclusions: |
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This is kit #TSM-5730 1/700 USS Franklin CV13 Aircraft
Carrier with a suggested list price of only $29.95. A great price for a
carrier as nicely detailed as this. 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. |
