1:700 IJN Battleship Mikasa Wooden Deck w/Masking & PE Sheets for Hasegawa 43170

Veneer deck, masks and etch for Mikasa in 1:700 scale

According to the name, the combined Artwox Model package brings together an adhesive wooden deck, masking sheets and photo-etched parts. Everything is cut for the specific Hasegawa 43170 kit. The set is not a ship kit but an accessory that is glued onto an existing plastic model. The sheets follow the deck surfaces of the Hasegawa 43170 kit; on another release of the same ship the layout of the deck differs.

Engraved plastic and veneer side by side

On a plastic deck the plank laying is engraved as a fine line that paint partly fills in. Veneer, by contrast, offers the real grain of wood and a slight difference in color between the individual planks, so the surface does not read as a single shade. On a model with a large open deck that difference is visible from a meter away and it is usually the first thing a viewer notices.

Laying and patina tips

First clear the deck of flash, check that it is flat and degrease it; veneer holds badly on a wavy or greasy base. Uncover the protective film in sections and lay the surface down from the centerline out to the sides, which is the best way to avoid bubbles. The gaps between the planks can be brought out with a very thin oil paint or a soft pencil, but less is more: aggressive weathering dirties the veneer. Fine-tune the shade of the wood with lightly applied wood stain and seal the finished surface with a matte or satin varnish.

Who the set is for

• Builders of historic ship models in 1:700 scale
• Modelers who dislike the flat look of an engraved plastic deck
• Those building exactly the kit the set is cut for
• Those who want a package with the deck, the masks and the etch together

An accessory for a model, not a kit. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package.