1:700 USS Missouri BB-63

The real subject

USS Missouri BB-63 is an American battleship of the Iowa class, the last generation of American battleships. The Japanese surrender was signed on her deck in September 1945, which made her one of the best known ships of the twentieth century. Missouri has survived and is open as a museum ship. It is the expansive wooden deck between the turrets of the main armament that a visitor and a modeler notice on her first.

A wooden deck in 1:700 scale

The part covers the plastic deck of the model and copies its shape including the recesses for superstructures, turrets and deck equipment. In 1:700 scale the model comes out at just under forty centimeters, so the deck is clearly visible and the natural grain of the wood stands out on it more than a sprayed shade.

Laying and painting tips

First try the part dry: check how the outline sits and how the openings for the superstructures line up. Rid the surface beneath it of dust and grease. Spray the hull, the sides and the superstructures before you lay the deck down, so that no overspray reaches the wood. The grain of the wood is brought out by a dark glaze coat applied in a small amount, and the surface can be unified with a matte varnish. Never tear excess areas away by force, as the wood cracks easily. The gluing procedure is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Who it is for

The set will please modelers who are building the famous battleship and want the deck not to look like sprayed plastic. It is an accessory for a kit, not a complete model; paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.