1:72 USS Saratoga СV-60 portside lift - Acrylic 3 mm (240 x 240 mm) (190g)

The port-side elevator as a display surface

The Forrestal-class carriers had four deck elevators and only one of them sat on the left side of the hull, behind the angled landing deck. It is exactly this feature that is captured on a square board 240 millimeters to a side. An elevator platform is a rewarding scene for a model: it has a sharply defined outline and markings of its own, and in 1:72 scale it comes out just right for one machine with its wings folded.

Who the square suits

The square format suits anyone who builds for space and wants to turn the model at an angle rather than parallel with the edge of the shelf. A long rectangle dictates the direction of the view, a square does not. It also comes into its own for photography, because there is room left around the machine for a shadow and for small accessories.

When to prefer a diorama of your own

A printed surface ends where the three-dimensional world begins. Railings, firefighting equipment, tie-down points and figures of deck crew are not on the board and have to be bought separately; only they bring the scene to life. Anyone who only wants a clean presentation of the aircraft will manage with the board alone and save weeks of work. Anyone aiming at a full scene should treat it as a foundation to build on, because the color part is finished and the most interesting work is what remains.

The material is clear acrylic three millimeters thick, printed on one side, so the surface stays flat and wipes down easily. The underside of the board carries a protective film, which is best left on until all the dusty work on the model is done, otherwise abrasive particles get rubbed into the print. When storing the boards, do not stack them with the printed surfaces facing each other.