The USS Randolph (CV-15) was commissioned on 9 October
1944, and subsequently deployed to the Pacific theater. She was the second
of an improved Essex class often called the Ticonderoga class. She featured
and extended hull with extra 40 mm mounts. The flight deck was cut back
to give the guns a clear field of fire. The Randolph was very active in
the Pacific. Its planes contributed to the fighting on Iwo Jima, as well
as making raids on targets such as Okinawa and Tokyo. USS Randolph was
capable of 33 knots and required a crew of 3448. In combat on 11 March
1945 the carrier was hit by a kamikaze which caused 25 deaths and damage
to the flight deck, but the craft was able to continue on in combat.
The USS Randolph earned three battle stars for its World War II service.
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| For years the only Essex class carriers in 1/700
were the
Hasegawa kit
and the Revell 1/720 kit. Both were nice 30 years ago, but fall short of
today's standards. This new carrier from Dragon Models of Hong Kong,
China also known as DML for Dragon Models Limited, has raised
the bar for the 1/700 world. Designed using CAD (Computer Aided
Design), the parts of this model could be test fitted and checked before
tooling was produced. One the design was finalized the mold was cut using
the latest cutting tool technology to produce some extremely fine parts
for an injected mold. The end result is another state of the art carrier.
Thanks to Dragon we now have a new Long Hull Essex AKA Ticonderoga Class
carrier to go along with that Short
Hull one previously released. |
| HULL |
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| The hull is one piece with a separate hanger deck and lower
hull.. There is some really nice porthole detail with eyebrows (rain gutters)
above them and plenty of piping, vent, and other detail. The many openings
to the hanger deck are all left open with separate roll up doors that can
be shown open or closed. |
Click
images
to enlarge |
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| FLIGHT DECK |
| The flight deck looks like the one in the
USS Essex CV-9, however there are two catapults, one slightly offset
from the front of the deck. The deck on this carrier is also shorter to
clear the field of fire for the bow mounted anti aircraft guns. This is
typical of Long Hull type Essex Class carriers. The deck is nicely
engraved with some really intricate planking and tie down detailing. Note
the deck elevator for a close-up of this pattern. |
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| HANGER DECK |
| Probably the most exciting item on this kit,
is this detailed hanger deck. It included some interior details and nice
deck plate details. |
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Notice the bow insert for the deck is different on this ship than the Short
hull Essex. It is longer and includes two gun tubs for the 40 mm gun mounts.
The bow deck piece is finely detailed with some really nice anchor chain
molded on.
CLEAR FLIGHT DECK OPTION
You even get a clear flight deck that will allow you to show off that
detailed hanger deck. The deck is smooth without surface detail so you
can clearly see into the hanger. Note one way to show off the details in
this photo from Dragon below. |
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The four dual 5" 38 cal gun mounts on this sprue are a testament to how
detail can be preserved with this type of molding technology. The sights
on the gun houses rival that that we see in resin kits.
Sprue C
This sprue is identical to the one in the Essex kit. It contains some
of the walls that form the hanger deck as well as the separate roll up
doors. Various platforms and other details are very sharp.
You might also notice that there are carly floats molded on the underside
of many of these platforms. One other thing that I noticed was the absence
of those dreaded Aztec stairs. Finally a kit that you don't have
to try to scrape them off the platforms.
Sprue D
This sprue is similar to the one in the Essex kit except it has been
extended on the bottom side to include the four platforms and sponsons
shown below. The other items on the sprue include the walls and doors seen
on the above sprue. It also included the boat cranes and deck edge elevators
as well as the folding deck antenna masts. There are two different deck
edge elevators; one with molded on underside detail and one without. The
latter is designed for use with the included photo etch fret shown below.
Again the modeler is presented with a choice in how they wish to build
their ship.
Sprue E
These sprues include many of the gun platforms and bridge platforms.
Notice that in most cases the underside bracing is present. There are also
several extra platforms that are not used on this kit. Stay tuned for details
on future releases. Dragon has more in store for us in the future. Also
notice the open grills in the top of the funnel cap, nice!
Sprue H
The sprue is exclusive to the Randolph and includes some Long hull specific
platform details. Notice that on the bottom of several of them are Carley
Floats.
Sprue K
This is the weapons spure and there are two of them in the kit. It
includes the many anti-aircraft guns and various fittings used on the ship.
Various radar's and other detail items are also included.
5" 38 cal guns are included in both open and closed types. The 40 mm guns
are not bad but the gun barrels are a little thick. The 20 mm are also
a little thick, but I really like the way they are molded. The front shield
is offset from the pedestal and the separate gun can be mounted at any
angle just like the real ones. You also get Mk-51 directors, searchlights
and even some pelorus mounts. All are as fine as injections molding permits
in this scale. Not to be overlooked are the nice life rafts that have some
nice netting molded on. |
Sprue J
A base is included to display your ship on should you chose to build
it full hull. A nameplate is also included with a peel and stick label
that fits within the border. |
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| PHOTOETCH |
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| A photoetch fret is included that will allow you to replace
some of the molded on details. The lower frame of the deck edge elevator
and open radio antenna. You also get radar's and other platforms. There
is also a variety of deck personnel in various poses that will lend action
to your deck. |
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| DECALS |
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| The decals by Cartograf include the aircraft insignia
that were used during the war and include the red outlined insignia used
briefly by some squadrons. The deck striping and lines are well done. They
are all nicely registered and much improved from the typical kit supplied
decals
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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 can mask off the
canopies and when you paint them. When the paint dries you peel off the
masking and are presented with a nice clear canopy. These aircraft also
benefit from the CAD technology
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SB2C Helldiver Dive Bomber (six included).
These are molded with separate propellers and landing gear. Panel lines
are recessed and the lines of the aircraft look accurate. |
TBF Avenger Torpedo Bomber (six included).
These torpedo bombers have recessed panel lines and folding wings.
Separate gear and propellers are included. |
F6F Hellcat Fighter (six included).
Also molded with folding wings and separate landing gear and props. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| The instructions are a 6 page booklet showing the assembly
in a step by step process that is easy to follow. Very thorough and well
illustrated. Camouflage is shown with four elevation and one plan view.
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| REFERENCE |
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| The most obvious differences between the Long Hull and
Short Hull Essex Class carriers are shown below. Notice the difference
in the shape and length of the bow.
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| CONCLUSIONS |
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 This
kit is extremely well designed and packed with options. The modeler has
many choices when building this kit. Full hull or waterline, Open hanger
doors or closed, clear deck or opaque, and many more. Dragon USA
lists this kit with an MSRP of $34.95 US. More than a fair price when you
consider the extras. Right now this kit gets my vote for the best 1/700
scale injection molded kit on the market today. It even improves on their
previous release the Essex. Bravo Zulu Dragon. |
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