1:700 Japanese Navy Battleship Hiei next 006 (For Fujimi 460079)

Wooden deck 1:700 for the battleship Hiei (Artwox Model)

An accessory for a ship kit, not a model. The sheet is a thin wooden veneer with a pre-printed pattern of deck planking, mounted on a self-adhesive backing. The parts are cut to the shape of the deck of one particular kit release, including the openings around the superstructures, turrets and deck hatches.

Where it shows on the model

Unlike smaller vessels, a battleship has a large continuous deck area, and that is what reveals most on a model whether the deck is merely painted or veneered. The print holds the planks in one line over the whole length, which with a brush in 1:700 scale is practically impossible to repeat. At the same time it removes the risk of clogging the surrounding engraved detail while painting.

Gluing step by step

Try every part dry first and remember which edge you will start from. Peel the film back over a couple of centimeters only, seat the veneer against one fixed point, typically along the axis of the hull, and only then draw the film off gradually and press the area down from the middle out to the sides. Around superstructures and hatches let the veneer lie freely and trim the surplus only after it is glued; forcing it into a corner beforehand leads to creases. Work at normal room temperature: in the cold the adhesive is stiff and the joint holds worse, while in heat it grips at once and cannot be corrected. When you are finished, go over the whole deck once more with a soft cloth to press the edges down.

Who the set is worth it for

• Builders of 1:700 ships who want a deck without painting planks by hand.
• Modelers putting a model together from several aftermarket accessories.
• Those who build for a display case and judge the model close up.
• Beginners looking for a visible improvement without a demanding technique.

The deck is cut for the Fujimi 460079 kit; Artwox Model makes decks of the same ship for other releases too, so check the match before buying. The kit and paints are not included in the package.