1:144 Aircraft recovery crane NS60

The NS60 recovery crane in 1:144 scale from Metallic Details

The set is a standalone kit of ground equipment, not an aircraft model. It builds the mobile NS60 crane, a machine used to tow away and recover damaged aircraft from the deck and from parking areas. The box holds castings in cast resin and photo-etched sheet, plus clear film for the cab glazing and thread for making the cables and slings.

The real subject

The NS60 is an American-built deck crane that served on aircraft carriers from the late 1950s and stayed in service for several decades. Its job was to lift and move an aircraft that could not taxi under its own power and to clear the deck quickly. It is recognizable by its low cab, sturdy boom and wide track, which gave the machine stability in a confined space.

Building and painting tips

Wash the resin parts in lukewarm soapy water and cut the casting blocks off with a saw; wear respiratory protection while sanding. Bend the photo-etched parts in a bending tool or over a sharp edge so that the fold comes out straight. They are glued with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue), and for the tiny photo-etched parts a thinned drop on the tip of a toothpick helps. Assemble the boom structure on a flat surface so that it does not end up twisted. Paint over a primer and finish with a dark wash in the recesses of the structure and light chipping on the edges, which looks natural on working equipment.

Who the set is for

• builders of carrier deck and airfield dioramas in 1:144 scale
• modelers who add ground equipment to their aircraft
• more experienced builders used to resin and photo-etched parts
• collectors of richly equipped scenes on a small footprint

The set is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.