Hi all,

Hope your builds are going well. Ok so here's a question for everyone. I am looking to purchase some after market items for my USS Face and USS Samuel B Roberts in 1/350 scale. So which AM company produces the better product L'Arsenal or Alliance Model Works? Primarily I AM looking at 5"38 and 20mm Orliken guns.

Thanks for your opinion

dave

I'm assuming we're talking about WWII DD-823 Samuel B Roberts / Gearing class? I'm not familiar with USS Face?

For the 5" 38's I like the Veteran Models set. Nicely detailed.

My favorite 1/350 20mm are from Master Model. The problem in this case is that they are on pedestal mounts. You would need to get some photo etch tripod mounts. Otherwise I would say Alliance. Alliance and Flyhawk both make nice detail sets for this ship. There is also North Star Models who has a nice 20mm in this scale.

if it were me I would buy one of the detail sets where you would get everything you're looking for.

Dave

Dave,

LOL, didn't see my typo, I meant to type USS Dace, SS-247 and the Butler Class Destroyer Escort DE-413 USS Samuel B. Roberts.

All that being type, does Veteran Models have the closed 5"/38's with blast bags, I haven't been able to find them. I believe that the 20mm on the USS Samuel B Roberts and the USS Dace were both on pedestal mounts as opposed to the tripods. I also want to lean towards 20mm with brass barrels verse the folded PE 20mm's.

thanks for your input. Will do some more market research before I purchase on Monday.

Happy Thanks giving

Dave

Looks like my first response didn't go through...

Okay, USS Dace. I've heard of that ship before.

For the 5in gun check out Hobby Easy. I've worked with them in the past and they are excellent. They appear to have them in stock. They come with either photo etch to replicate the frame for the blast bag or they have a molded flash bag you can use. They are very nice!

Good luck!
Dave

Hi Dave,

For the 20mm, the I use L'Arsenal if I have a lot to do because they are pretty good, even though they have an etched barrel, and simple to put together, but David has the right of it, the Master models 20mm are excellent but quite complex. See Jan's build on the HMS Repulse for a great master class on put those together.

Hope that helps

Si

@Si, thanks for the info, I am going to go with the Model Master 20mm as I want the brass barrels verse a PE barrel.

@David, Ill check out Hobby Easy and see what they have. My next problem to tackle is a single 40mm bofors for the USS Dace. There are plenty of double and quad 40's but have not found a single yet.

More market research..

Thanks again

Dave

Rolltide,

For the DACE - try NAUTILUS MODELERS.

Dave,
L'Arsenal has some wonderful 40mm in single, double, and quad configuration. I believe they are photo etch and resin 3d Printed. I bought some of the singles and am very pleased with them. They have a nice photo of them on their web site as well.

Veteran has some quad 40's too but goo luck trying to find them. For consistency L'Arsenal may be the way to go.

Good luck!
Dave

Dave,

Thanks for the tip regarding the single 40mm. I have been looking for that all over the place. I found that and the open 3"/50 I need for the USS Dace. I was contemplating a kit bashing but now there is no need.

@T.Garth, thanks for the website. They have some nice things for larger scale subs. Will have to remember that for future projects.

@Si, I remember that tutorial, will definitely use it once the Master Model 20mm arrive.

OK, so this project is coming together, getting excited.

thanks everyone for your input.

Dave