1:350 Italian Heavy Cruiser Fiume (Trumpeter 05348)

Fiume – wooden deck 1:350

A wooden deck in 1:350 scale for a model of the Italian heavy cruiser Fiume. It is not a ship kit but an accessory: the laser-cut wooden veneer is laid onto the plastic deck of a finished model and takes its place. The result is real wood grain with a fine fiber structure that cannot be imitated on plastic by even the best painting.

The real subject

The Fiume was one of the Italian Zara class heavy cruisers, which came about in the 1930s. They were fast ships with their main armament in twin turrets, more heavily armored than most heavy cruisers of their day, and with a characteristic continuous deck. The ship was lost in 1941 in the fighting in the Mediterranean. For a modeler the Fiume is a rewarding subject precisely because of its generous open deck areas, on which a wooden veneer shows at first glance.

Usage tips

Try the deck dry first and make sure the parts fit the outline of the plastic deck. The plastic under the veneer has to be smooth and degreased; remove any lumps and flash and sand the area down lightly. Check whether the part is in a self-adhesive version — if not, use contact or PVA glue in a thin layer and apply it in spots, so that the wood does not buckle. Lay the parts from the center out to the edges and press them down with a soft cloth. Fit the superstructures, turrets and photo-etched parts only once the deck is laid. It is a good idea to go over the wood at the end with a thin flat or satin varnish — it protects the surface and evens the shade out without hiding the grain.

Who the deck is for

• Modelers building Italian heavy cruisers in 1:350 scale
• Anyone who wants to lift a model beyond the contents of the box
• Builders of display case models, where the surface is judged close up
• Modelers used to working with photo-etched parts and fine accessories

The accessory is supplied without the ship model. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.