1:350 USS San Francisco CA-38 1944 (blue) (For Trumpeter 05310)

A 1:350 wooden deck for a USS San Francisco CA-38 model, the blue variant, by Artwox Model

An accessory for the modeler who already owns the kit in question; it is neither a model nor a kit. The veneer with a pre-printed pattern of deck planks has an adhesive back and is glued over the plastic deck. For this cruiser the manufacturer offers the veneer in two color finishes and this is the variant in the blue tone; the natural version exists separately under its own product designation. The set is cut for the Trumpeter 05310 kit and for the form of the ship stated in the name.

When to reach for the blue and when for the natural one

The choice between the finishes is not a matter of taste but of how you want the model to tell its story. Natural veneer shows the deck as the wood itself looks and suits models with a lighter hull finish as well as display pieces where the texture is to be as visible as possible. The blue finish, by contrast, assumes a unified, darkened view of the ship, where the deck is not meant to jump out from the paint of the superstructure and the hull. Before you decide, it is a good idea to hold a sample of both against a painted part of the hull and compare them in the same light: contrast always looks stronger on a finished model than on a loose sheet.

Gluing and finishing

The procedure is the same as with the natural version: level and degrease the plastic, lay it on dry, pull the protective film off in sections and press from the center outward. Trim overhangs with a sharp knife along the edge of the piece. With toned veneer be careful with wood stain: the shade is already part of the product and further stain would shift it unpredictably. Matte varnish and possibly a very weak wash in the seams between the planks are safer.

Who the set is for

• The modeler who is building USS San Francisco and wants a darker, unified tone of deck.
• Anyone who chooses between the color variants deliberately, according to the overall look of the model.
• The builder who does not want to tone the deck himself and prefers a ready-made shade.
• The collector of 1:350 ship models with an emphasis on deck surfaces.

This is an accessory for a plastic kit, not a standalone model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.