1:700 USS Arizona BB-39 1941 Wooden Deck, Masks, Planking Masks (for Hobby Boss 83401)

Deck and a double set of masks for USS Arizona BB-39 in 1:700 scale

The package is an accessory for the plastic kit of the battleship USS Arizona BB-39 as she was in 1941. According to the name it holds three things: a wooden veneer deck with pre-printed plank laying and a self-adhesive backing, covering masks and, separately, planking masks. That last component is what sets this set apart from a plain veneer part.

Why a double set of masks

The veneer covers the main deck areas, but smaller wood-covered areas remain on a ship where a self-adhesive part cannot reach or where it would look coarse. Planking masks let those areas be sprayed so that a plank texture arises on them in keeping with the veneer beside it. The procedure is simple: spray the light base shade of wood, stick the mask on and apply a darker tone over it. Once it is off, a grid of seams remains that carries on visually from the glued veneer.

Combining the two techniques

Matching the shade of the sprayed area to the veneer is the main task. Test the spray on an offcut or on a piece of paper laid beside the veneer, not on the model. It helps to even both the veneer and the sprayed area out at the end with the same thin coat of matte varnish and a light patina in the seams, which levels out the differences in reflectivity. Glue the veneer onto degreased plastic, peel the film off in sections and trim the overhang with a sharp blade.

Who the box is for

• Builders who want a wooden look beyond the main deck areas as well
• Modelers working with an airbrush and masks
• Anyone after a higher level of matching between surfaces on one model

This is an accessory for a plastic kit, not a model. The kit, paints and varnish are not included in the package. The set is cut for the Hobby Boss 83401 kit; check the match before buying.