White Ensign Models USN Aircraft Carrier Deck Tie Down Sets come well packaged, supported on thick card, in a polythene ziplock bag. The 0.15mm 0.005” brass is finely etched with no “miss etched” parts, the 1/72 sheet is 205x53mm 8 1/10” x 2 1/16” the 1/48 sheet is 208x87mm 8 3/16” x 3 6/16”. Parts contained on the frets are as follows:
Contents
1/72 (price: overseas £6.37, UK/EEC £7.49)
6x WWII tie down channel tops
50 each of 2 types of modern carrier deck pad eyes
6x chains
6x straps
6x strap tensioners
6x chain tensioners
12x Aircraft fuselage picketing ring
12x Aircraft undercarriage leg picketing loops
1/48 (price: TBA)
9x WWII tie down channel tops
40 each of 2 types of modern carrier deck pad eyes
6x chains
6x straps
7x strap tensioners
7x chain tensioners
12x Aircraft fuselage picketing ring
12x Aircraft undercarriage leg picketing loops
The comprehensive instructions are clear and well laid out, giving dimensions and methods of use. At the end are general instructions for using photo etched parts, very useful for the first time user. I would have liked to have seen a drawing of a complete “chain attachment bottle”, like the one for the “nylon strap quick release attachment”. However it is not difficult to see how they go together.
I personally have been looking, for quite some time, for USN WWII tie down strips and the ones in these sets fit the bill admirably. The instructions for their use are clear, with dimensions between each tie down strip given. If used as per the instructions a very nice representation of an USN wooden carrier deck will be achieved. For a more accurate representation the tie downs can be fix to the top of shallow “U” shaped section.
I think most manufacturers of etched parts leave out colour instructions, probably because they assume buyers have references that give them that information. However in this case I think it is more than likely those buyers will not have the necessary information to hand. This is because we are talking about a Navy item for use by Aircraft modellers. I am basing this assumption on myself, as I have no references for these tie downs. My knowledge is limited to what I have read in the distant past. I do know that USN WWII carrier decks were stained blue and this information could easily have been included. I would imagine that the uninitiated would probably produce nicely polished decks. You will be pleased to know that White Ensign Models carry “Flight deck stain 21” in their Colourcoats range of paints, “US 11”.
Conclusion
These etched frets are very welcome addition to the aircraft modellers’ armoury of detail sets and will certainly enhance a simple display base or full-blown diorama. The 1/48 sets are WEM first in this scale and I for one hope to see more, how about a cable winch for the Revell/Monogram Catalina. I have the hatch open ready.
Thank you to White Ensign Models for kindly supplying the review samples.
