¹⁄700

More 1/700 accessories for July from Tom’s. New 3-D printed ships and aircraft for adding to any WWII Pacific diorama setting and a new PE set for backdating the Tamiya Saratoga CV-3 kit to her 1942-43 appearance.

First up, 3-D printed boats of two versions of the LCI boat (Landing Craft Infantry). One boat comes for each version.

These Landing Craft Infantry vessels were capable of carrying up to 180-200 troops from rear bases at a speed of 15 knots and delivering them right to shore. The model offered here depicts the first series square conning tower, high bridge version with gangways on either side of the bow (the Royal Navy preferred a low bridge version). These "Elsie Items", as they were commonly called, saw action in virtually every amphibious action of World War 2 from March, 1943 on. Of particular note was their service at famous battles like D-Day, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The Landing Craft Infantry (Gunboat) were conversions of LCI's intended to provide close-in fire support for landing operations. They were the result of a hard lessons learned at Tarawa that, despite the plastering of a target by the well seaward big boys with heavy ordnance up to 16-inch guns, more ships with strong firepower capable of working close to the beach were needed to deal with enemy survivors still entrenched after the bombardment ceased in pillboxes, revetments, foxholes and caves. A total of 86 LCI(L)'s including 44 of the early version LCIs (1-350) were converted to the gunship configuration that was also effectively used to intercept and destroy enemy barge traffic operating in shallow waters that the bigger ships couldn't enter.

Note from Tom’s: An LCI(L) model was previously offered as an injection molded kit in this scale by Pit-road but it's the later Round Bridge version and it's definitely not one of this fine company's better efforts as the proportions are way off. High Bridge version LCI(L)'s have been offered in resin by both Loose Cannon Productions (the gold standard) and Niko (beautifully molded but very inaccurate).We believe that the 3D printed model offered here compares very favorably with comparable (and excellent) Loose Cannon amphibious resin/PE models and it doesn't require any assembly. About the only quibbles are that the masts and 20mm Oerlikon guns are too thick but they can be easily removed and replaced with stretched sprue and/or PE parts to create a stunningly accurate representation. We've posted high resolution photos so you can judge for yourself. While photography of this little gems is a challenge for our limited skills and equipment, check out the details like the gangways, deck furniture, bridge and that 3"/50 gun on the platform erected near the bow!

Although the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene..

The LCI(L) version (No. HB-700) is listed for $20.49 (US) plus shipping.

The LCI(G version (No. LCI(G)-700-x) is listed for $20.99 (US) plus shipping.

For the 3-D printed aircraft, first is the IJN’s fighter floatplane, the A6M2-N ‘Rufe’ (No. A6m2n-700-x5).

In February 1941, the IJN instructed the Nakajima company to develop a float-equipped version of the outstanding Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero naval interceptor that had just entered service 8 months earlier and was also being built by Nakajima. The resulting A6M2-N proved an important weapon in Japan's 'island-hopping' war in the Pacific where there would be few ready-made air bases from which to provide air cover during the invasion and occupation of smaller islands where construction of runways would be impractical. Despite the large float mounted under the fuselage, the 'Rufe' (the Allied code name for the A6M2-N) still displayed creditable performance although it was usually at a disadvantage against land-based fighters. The type was first issued to the Yokohama Kokutai which deployed to Tulagi in the Solomons where the Japanese had landed during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Virtually the entire detachment was destroyed by 15 Grumman F4F's from the USS Wasp during the American invasion of Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942. The A6M2 was used with more success in the Aleutian campaign beginning in June 1942 but losses soared as soon as American fighter strength was built up.

This 5-piece set includes three different models - 2 'full hull' models, 2 waterline models that simulate the planes in water and 1 full hull model complete with handling cart attached to the main float. It is listed for $19.99 plus shipping.

Next is a 2 aircraft set for the Martin PBM-3D/5 Mariner (No. Pbm3d-700-x2). The PBM Mariner is one of the least well known patrol aircraft of World War II, yet it was also one of the most successful. They would be credited with sinking at least ten U-boats by the end of the war and were also used extensively in the Pacific, operating from sea tenders and from bases in the South West Pacific, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In addition to the bomber role, these flying boats were used for forward patrol (reconnaissance), transport and rescue operations (Dumbo Missions). In the forward patrol role, the PBMs were based entirely on seaplane tenders to create floating bases near the attacking amphibious assault forces and they saw action in all of the major offensive campaigns in the Pacific.

This set actually includes two different models - 1 full hull, in flight and 1 waterline model which simulates the aircraft in the water.

This item is listed for $20.49 (US) plus shipping.

And finally, a PE set to backdating the Tamiya CV-3 Saratoga kit to her 1942-43 appearance (No. 785). This set contains special rails for the superimposed 5" twin mount platforms, safety nets along the flight deck, perforated catwalks, ladders, rails, 20mm guns, radars, crane parts and more. It is listed for $16.00 (US) plus shipping.

For all resin sets, Tom’s notes that while they currently maintain limited inventories of most items, some items may be "printed on demand", which usually requires 10-15 business days from order to shipment.

All sets are available from Tom's Modelworks website.