Casablanca Class

[Shar2]

Casablanca Class

1:350 Etch Set

The latest etch set from White Ensign Models is for the Casablanca class aircraft carriers. If you have the wonderful USS Gambier Bay from Hasegawa, you may wonder what can possibly be added to it to improve on what Hasegawa have provided. Well, it seems Mad Pete has found plenty to either add to or replace kit parts to make a very detailed and accurate model. Research will be required, depending on which ship of the class is being built and which parts in the set are required.

The ship set consists of two sheets of relief etched brass. The first and smallest sheet is 290mm x 85mm. This sheet contains a full complement of ships railings of various styles, catwalk safety netting, floater baskets, LSO position safety netting, SK Radar antenna and antenna assembly, Yardarm stays and footropes, Sky lookout fittings, 5” mount railing and gun layer seats, bridge windows and wing screens along vertical ladder stock.

The larger of the two sheets, measuring 290mm x 170mm and contains even more beautifully detailed etched pieces. The foreward flightdeck supports, perforated gallery deck plate, perforated catwalks make up the larger parts. The rest of the sheet is crammed full with smaller items, such as fire hose points, crash barrier arms, funnel heat shields, numerous platforms and associated supports, replacement lattice masts, LSO platform and screen, flightdeck fore and aft edge footrails, flightdeck windbreak support braces, arrester wire guides and risers, 40mm Bofors fittings, 20mm mounts, 26ft motorboat thwarts, props and rudders, elevator guides and cables, anchor chain stoppers, liferaft frames, early and late bridge canopy/roof and signal platform. There are also standard items, such as single and double watertight doors, paravanes parts, and accommodation ladders.

White Ensign Models were very kind in sending their ultimate set for review. This includes the ships set above and a small etched sheet purely for the aircraft and deck equipment. The Wildcats get a complete replacement undercarriage, new prop and cockpit interior which include floor, rear bulkhead, instrument panel, seat and joystick. The Avengers get the same treatment with the addition of separate flaps and the rear gunners’ position. Deck equipment, in the form of forklift trucks, with the body, (built around a scratch built plasticard former, separate forks, lifting frame, steering wheel and driver. The 3 and 4 wheeled tow tractors are all etch apart from scratch axles, and are built up with separate wheels, steering wheels and wheel guards. Finally there are three torpedo and six hand bomb trolleys along with four towing arms. This small set is available separately so that if you wish to increase the aircraft compliment you can detail them up in the same way.

Conclusion

White Ensign consistently release some fabulous set of etch brass and this is up there with their best. There is a wide selection of parts to super detail the Gamier Bay or produce any other ships of the class. The addition of the aircraft set means that the flightdeck can be as detailed as the ship, with provision for making it look busier is a nice touch. For reference it may be a good idea to get hold of the Anatomy of a Ship USS Gambier Bay as it has a wealth of information and useful diagrams which will be more than useful.

Review sample courtesy of John at