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

A 1:350 wooden deck for a model of the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco CA-38 by Artwox Model

This product is not a kit but an accessory for modelers who want to improve a model they have already bought. It is a thin wood veneer with a pre-printed pattern of deck planks and an adhesive backing. The set is cut for the Trumpeter 05310 kit and for the 1944 form of the ship; on American cruisers the equipment changed markedly from year to year, so check the match with your box.

Wood stain and toning the shade

The natural shade of the veneer is attractive, but on a model it often looks somewhat lighter and yellower than one would expect. That is exactly why it is worth learning to work with wood stain. It is applied thinned, in thin coats, and always on an offcut of veneer left over from trimming the outline first; only then, going by the test sample, choose how many coats to use on the model. Let the stain soak in and wipe the excess off, otherwise blotches appear. If you want to achieve an uneven, used look, you can stain individual sections at slightly different strengths; the deck then does not read as a single printed sheet.

The gluing procedure and sealing the surface

The plastic under the veneer has to be flat, degreased and dry. Pull the film off the adhesive layer in sections, press the veneer down with a soft cloth from the center out to the edges and trim overhangs with a sharp knife along the edge of the plastic. Staining can be done after gluing, when the wood is firmly supported and does not curl. A thin coat of matte varnish comes last, fixing the shade and protecting the surface during the rest of the assembly of the model.

Who the set is for

• The builder of a model of the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco in 1:350 scale.
• The modeler who wants the shade of the deck under control and likes experimenting with wood stains.
• Those interested in American warships with extensive wooden decks.
• Anyone for whom engraved plastic does not give a realistic enough texture.

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.