1:350 Russian Navy Tsesarevich Battleship 1917 (For Trumpeter 05337)

Tsesarevich 1917 in 1:350 scale: an Artwox Model wooden deck

This product is not a ship kit but an aftermarket accessory for one. It is a thin wood veneer with pre-printed laying of the deck planks and an adhesive backing, which is glued straight onto the plastic deck of a finished kit of the Russian battleship Tsesarevich in her 1917 state. The accessory is cut for the Trumpeter 05337 kit, so check before you buy that you have the corresponding model.

Why veneer instead of engraved plastic

Injection-molded plastic can suggest the seams between planks only by engraving, which moreover often gets clogged with paint. Real wood has a grain of its own, fine figuring and a slightly irregular tone, so the deck looks warmer and, at this scale, more credible. The pre-printed plank laying holds the right rhythm and direction, which is very difficult to paint by hand.

Preparing the plastic and the dry fit

The base is the key to a good result. First clear the plastic deck of flash and the remains of sprue gates, sand it flat with fine abrasive paper and degrease it with alcohol or soapy water, so that the adhesive has something to grip. Then lay each piece on dry first and check that the outline and the cutouts for the superstructure fit. Only then take the protective film off, preferably only in sections from one edge: that way you lay the veneer accurately and do not crease it.

Who the accessory is for

• Modelers who want to take a kit beyond the contents of the box
• Builders of ships in 1:350 scale who dislike an engraved plastic deck
• More experienced beginners: the work is careful rather than technically demanding
• Display models where the deck is the most visible surface

The accessory is supplied separately. The kit, paints, wood stain and varnish are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.