1:350 USS Ranger CV-4 Blue Wooden Deck (for Trumpeter kit 05629)

Blue wooden deck for USS Ranger CV-4 in 1:350 scale

This set is neither a kit nor a ship model. It is a self-adhesive veneer part with which you replace the engraved plastic deck on a model of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger CV-4 in 1:350 scale. The veneer has pre-printed plank laying and the seams between the planks as well, so once it is glued down the surface looks considerably more alive than injected plastic with engraving. It is a finish in a blue tone, however, not the natural shade of wood.

Degreasing and preparing the plastic

A self-adhesive backing holds only on a perfectly clean surface. Free the plastic deck first of traces of mold release agent and grease from the fingers; warm water with detergent, a soft brush and a thorough rinse are enough, with a wipe of alcohol once it is dry. Sand protruding moldings, remains of sprue gates and flash down flat; every unevenness shows under thin veneer as a visible bump. If you have already sprayed the deck, check that the paint is fully cured, or the adhesive will sink into the soft film.

The blue shade and varnishing

The blue finish matches a darker painting of the deck planks; the natural variant of the same deck exists separately, so decide beforehand which one you want. Veneer is an absorbent material, so test anything you are going to apply to it on an offcut first. A matte acrylic varnish in light coats evens the surface out and protects it, while a heavy coat blocks the pre-printed plank pattern. Keep the patina restrained; a suggestion is enough in this scale.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want a deck of real wood instead of engraved plastic
• Builders of aircraft carriers in 1:350 scale
• Anyone after the darker blue finish of the deck surface
• Patient builders, as the part is glued for good and there is no second try

This is an accessory for a plastic kit, not a model on its own. The set matches the shape of the Trumpeter 05629 kit; please check the match before ordering. The package holds no kit, paints or glue.