1:350 Italian Heavy Cruiser Gorizia (Trumpeter 05349)

Flyhawk 1:350 wooden deck, the cruiser Gorizia

An accessory for ship modelers in 1:350 scale from the Flyhawk brand. It is a deck of thin wood veneer, cut to the shape of the decks of the Italian heavy cruiser Gorizia. The deck is prepared for one specific kit of this cruiser in 1:350 scale, so it need not fit other models. The ship kit is not included in the package. The deck also does without painting, so there is no risk of spoiling the largest area of the model with an uneven coat. The veneer carries the grain of real planks, so once laid it has a depth that cannot be achieved by painting plastic.

The real subject

Gorizia was one of the Italian heavy cruisers of the Zara class, which were unusually well armored for their category. She served in the Mediterranean, took part in the convoy battles and in the night action off Cape Matapan, the only ship of her class to come away from it. Damaged by air raids, she was finally paid off at La Spezia, and after the Italian capitulation the Germans seized her.

Use

• strip the engraved detail off the plastic deck and level it flat
• offer the veneer up dry and check that it lines up with the superstructures and the openings
• lay it section by section from the center outward and press it down with a flat tool
• once laid, the wood only needs evening out with a matte varnish; painting it is unnecessary
• work the edges around the perimeter with a fine point so that nothing stands proud

The set is intended for more experienced modelers. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.