1:700 USS Tennessee BB-43 1941 Wooden Deck w/Paint Mask (for Trumpeter kit 05781)

Veneer deck for the battleship USS Tennessee BB-43 in 1:700 scale

This is not a ship model but an aftermarket accessory for the plastic kit of the battleship USS Tennessee BB-43 as she was in 1941. The basis is a thin wooden veneer with pre-printed deck planking and a self-adhesive backing; according to the name there is a covering mask in the package as well. The veneer goes straight onto the plastic deck of the kit and takes over from the engraved relief with real wood.

Preparing the surface decides the result

Before you reach for the film, degrease the plastic deck. Lukewarm water with detergent and a soft brush are enough, and once it is dry do not touch the surface with your fingers again. Traces of mold release agent and grease from the hands are the commonest reason why veneer lifts at the edges after a few days. Then try the deck dry: lay it on with the covering film still in place, check that the cut-outs fit the turret bases, hatches and superstructures, and note the places where trimming will be needed.

Gluing and finishing

Peel the covering film off in sections, not all at once. Lay the uncovered piece down first, line it up against the most prominent edge and only then work on; do not press down until you are sure of the position. Force the air out with a soft tool from the middle to the edges. Trim the surplus with a fresh scalpel blade run along the edge of the plastic, as a dull blade tears the veneer rather than cutting it. The shade can be fine-tuned with a weakly thinned stain and evened out at the end with a thin coat of matte varnish.

Who the accessory is for

• Modelers who want to achieve a convincing wooden deck in a small scale
• Ship builders for whom engraved plastic is not enough and who do not want to paint planks laboriously
• More advanced beginners who can manage accurate trimming with a sharp knife

This is an accessory for a plastic kit, not a model on its own. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package. The accessory is cut for the Trumpeter 05781 kit, so check before buying that this is the one you have.