1:350 Imperial Chinese Peiyang Fleet

What a wooden deck can do

Wood is harder to imitate with paint than one would expect. The pattern of the growth rings, small differences in shade between the planks and the soft sheen of the surface arise by themselves only when the deck really is made of wood. That is exactly the purpose of this accessory: a thin veneer piece with the planks drawn on it is laid on the deck of a plastic model and replaces it. The difference is visible at first glance, especially on ships from the era when a wooden deck was part of the equipment of every warship.

The real subject

The Peiyang Fleet was the main naval force of imperial China at the end of the nineteenth century. It came about through the purchase of modern steel ships from European shipyards and was meant to be an answer to the rapid armament in the region. Its fate was determined by the war with Japan in 1894, in which it suffered heavy losses. Models of the ships of this fleet are therefore a rewarding subject: they combine European construction with service in the Far East.

How the deck goes onto the model

First lay the piece on dry and check that it fits the shape of the deck of your kit. Clean and degrease the surface of the model so that nothing holds badly on it. Lay it from the center out to the edges and press as you go so that no bubbles form. Check in the instructions from the manufacturer whether the piece has an adhesive layer of its own or is glued separately. Once it is settled the wood can be sealed with a matte varnish, but try it on an offcut first.

• a wooden deck in 1:350 scale
• listed for a ship of the imperial Chinese Peiyang Fleet
• the natural grain of wood instead of painted plastic
• lay it on a cleaned and degreased surface
• settle it from the center out to the edges, with no bubbles

Terms of supply

The ship model, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.