Eduard USS Saratoga detail set 3. 1:350

[Shar2]

USS Saratoga detail set 3

Eduard 1:350

 

The Trumpeter 1:350 USS Saratoga has been out for a fairly long time now, in fact it was first released in 2005. So it seems rather strange that Eduard has only just decided to release some etched sets for it.  The first set received, in what will be a series of releases is actually set 3.  The set is up to the usual standard set by Eduard and as such is full of very small parts, where a good pick-up pencil wouldn’t go amiss.  Some of the kit parts need to be modified or removed by the modeller before the etched parts can be fitted.

 

Set 3, (53-218) The large ziplock bag contains just a single large sheet of relief etched brass. While there are a lot of parts they are mostly for the ships railings and deck edge netting.  All the moulded netting needs to be removed first, and the areas cleaned up in preparation for the etched parts to be glued into position. The railings are for all the weather deck openings, gun positions and catwalks. There are also a few railings that are fitted at flightdeck level when not at flying stations, including one just forward of the round-down at the stern and on the very bow section of the flightdeck. There are also a few platforms and inclined ladders that allow the crew to vacate the flightdeck and enter the hull on 2 deck through a side mounted watertight door.

 

 

The rest of the sheet is dedicated to details for the ships boats. The four standard motor boats are fitted with replacement engine covers, new thwarts and gunwhales, new gratings, rear mounted railings, rudder and propeller, these boats are then mounted on new etched cradles. The smaller motor boats are also fitted with new gunwhales, rudder, complete with tiller and new propeller. They are the hung on replacement davits which are also fitted with new eye clamps which affix to the hull. Lastly there are three pinnaces, and these are detailed with the addition of new railings fore and aft, rudder, skeg, propeller and hatch. These boats are also provided with new cradles for them to sit on.

 

Conclusion

You either love or hate brass etched detail sets, but for me they are almost vital, if you wish to produce as detailed a model as possible.  Eduard are pretty much the kings of mainstream maritime etch at the moment and their release schedule seems inexhaustible, even though they seem rather late to the parade with this, and the succeeding sets for the old Saratoga. This set will certainly give the old kit a new lease of life with some great looking netting, and that’s without the rest of the sheet. If you have the kit lounging around in your stash, get it out and start building, as the etch will make a great addition to your build.

 

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of