1:350 USS Wasp LHD-1 part 2

The second part of the photo-etch range for the USS Wasp LHD-1, 1:350 scale

The number in the name refers to the position within the family of sets with which the brand covers this large model. Each part is devoted to a different area of the ship, so they do not overlap and can be bought one after another as the build progresses. This is a full photo-etched set, not a narrowed selection.

How it shows on the model

A multipurpose amphibious assault ship has an enormous flight deck, long side walkways and a dense network of railings and stairways. That is exactly where the elements pile up that come out disproportionately thick in plastic. Metal foil a fraction of that thickness can turn the deck edges and the superstructure from a coarse shape into a worked-out structure. Going part by part also has a practical advantage: you can work through the range step by step instead of taking it all on at once.

The real subject

The Wasp entered service at the beginning of the 1990s as the first ship designed directly for operating short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft together with air-cushion landing craft. The stern section can be flooded, so vehicles sail straight out of the ship onto the shore, while helicopters carry troops from above into the depth of the coastline. This combination made her the backbone of the Marine expeditionary units.

Recommended procedure

• Work over a tray with a raised edge, or a part that flies off will be hard to find.
• Offer the part up dry before bending and check the direction of the bend.
• Apply the drop of glue with the tip of a wire, not straight from the bottle.
• Attach long runs of railing in sections, not all at once.
• Protect the finished photo-etched elements until the model goes into the cabinet.

The accessory will be appreciated by builders with experience of metal parts. The model of the ship itself is not included.