Intro...

Alliance Model Works is a USA based company that is building up a nice selection of after market add-on accessories for several different scales and genres of plastic models. Their sets consist of photo etch and resin parts and in their 1/35 armour sets decals and stencils for spraying markings are included, all for very reasonable prices. They also have a nice series of 1/350 scale photo etch sets designed for IJN World War II vessels, so when I was offered the opportunity of taking a closer look at two of their sets I gladly accepted.

PE....

The ladders and accommodation ladder set consists of two sheets of photo etch parts depicting just about every type and length of ladders used on IJN vessels, a huge number of accommodation ladders with extremely fine handrails, four gangways including the davits and entry frames needed and last but certainly not least four boat booms, two for large vessels and two for small vessels. The guy ropes with their tackles are also included for the boat booms. Two boat booms in stowed condition are also part of the set. Two sheets of instructions are included as well and they are as well drawn as the instructions included with the catapult. I chose to fold an accommodation ladder from this set and once again removing the part was simplicity itself. I used the “Hold and Fold” here due to the nature of the folds and length of the photo etch part. I had to be very careful working out which way to bend the steps, (the part is tiny and delicate and very easy to crush), but once I worked it out they folded back readily.

Final Thoughts...

I would have been very happy to have had this set available when I was doing my IJN Haruna build and luckily I still have another IJN 1/350 scale battleship in my stash so I will be able to put this set to good use. In my opinion Alliance Model Works are ready to take on the “Heavies” of the photo etch market and can compete with the best.