This "First Look" review is of Paper-Labs Publishing's line of 1/350 white metal accessories for World War II U.S. Navy ships. These accessories can be used to replace plastic kit parts on combat ships from destroyer escorts to early and late war carriers, to further increase accuracy and overall looks of your finished model subject.
Company History
Paper-Lab Publishing is a Canadian based company, that specializes in design and production of scale models and model accessories. The company’s main focus is ships but also produces model masters from resin, plastic, metal or paper. They also do 3D modeling and rendering. For more information on Paper-Lab’s services, please visit their website by following the link below.
looking a bit closer. . .
Darius Lipinski was kind enough to send a sample of each one of his 1/350 white metal accessories. The parts arrive sandwiched in between foam and packaged in a hard, plastic box. These parts included:
US Navy 21” Triple Torpedo Mount, suitable for the Trumpeter USS England - 2 pcs - $9.00
US Navy 1.1" Quad Mount, can be used on any USN early war ship - 4 pcs - $10.00
US Navy 36" Searchlight - 4 pcs - $8.00
US Navy 24" Searchlight - 8 pcs - $8.00
US Navy MK-51 Director, can be used on any USN ship armed with 40mm Bofors or 3”/50 gun - 10 pcs - $10.00
Upon removing the parts from the packaging, the first thing I noticed is the amazing amount of crisp detail and clean lines. There is very little if any clean up necessary on any of the parts. The pour stubs are cut to such a length that securing the part for painting is easy, especially if you use hemostats like I do.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the MK-51 gun director, as this was used to aim the 40mm Bofors and 3"/50 main guns. The 1.1” Quad mount is another small masterpiece in itself. One of the barrels was slightly bent, but this was easily corrected with the aid of my hobby knife. All in all, Paper-Labs 1/350 white metal accessories along with their resin accessories make an excellent way to super-detail, as well as increase the accuracy of that next USN project.
SUMMARY
Highs: Great detail and quality, well thought out subject matter, excellent value for your moneyLows: Only one, no 21” torpedo mounts for the Fletcher class destroyer.Verdict: Highly recommended, and a “must have” when building a 1/350 World War II USN ship.
Our Thanks to Paper Lab! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Kenny Loup (gator) FROM: LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES
I was the kid that his dad would say "Hey, there's a war movie on." and come running. As a kid, I dived head first into military history. We would always have to stop at the USS Alabama on our way to Florida. I also got to visit the Seawolf Park and the Alamo on vacation, too. All things I want ...
I'll have to admit, I really liked those quad 40's. Then I realized there were only 4 in a pack and at $10 a pack it would run $60 to replace them on either the North Carolina or the Alabama. The Lionrar superset for the NC is around $80 and has details for the quad 40's as well as the 20mm, 16", 5", railings, cranes, propellers...etc etc. SO as nice as they look, I think I'll just stick with a Lionroar PE. I think if paper lab put in 6 and charged $8 they might sell a ton of these. NOt to be so negative, but Lionroar sells their 40mm only set at around $10 or so which has 6 sets and also includes gun sheild. So my verdict is too pricey
It seems, Steve, that these might be best used on smaller ships, like the England, Fletcher, or The Sullivans. When you only have to replace a few things the cost/value rating is a bit better. I was surprised to see the torpedoes be a triple mount, and not a quad or quintuple. I think that just shows this set is more for ships like DEs than BB.
I love his 1/700 stuff. I'll definately be ordering when I do my next 1/700 ship
As far as his selection, but just wait. Paper-Labs has in formed me that there is more to come.
There is no denying that his stuff is nice. The gun directors at 10 per pack would cover a BB. Rodger, you have to see the quad 40's frm Lion Roar. Of course, they are multiple little fiddely pieces and if you didn't hate PE before, this may cause that reaction. The ones that came with the NC superset are less complicated and do use some of he original pieces. Having priced it at Lucky models, I am going to pick up another one for my Alabama. The critical parts are the same ....20 and 40mm, 5" and 16" tubes, props, cranes and catapults, radars and railings...and the little things like generic doors, cable reels and the like
Yes, I realized about the 1.1. That's one reason I figured it was the England this stuff was really meant for. I was surprised to see that the England had the old "Chicago Piano" for her heavy AA, instead of 40mm.
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