by apfelzra69 » Fri Jul 12, 2024 10:28 pm
The Chinese 3D-printed 1/350 USS Wyoming and USS Arkansas are now available (through our favorite online auction site) in both original configurations (two cage masts) and, at least for the Wyoming, a 1927 configuration with torpedo blisters, cage foremast and short tripod mainmast. Full hull and waterline versions are available, but I would advise purchasing a segmented hull version (with separate forward and rear hull sections that fit very nicely together, all 3D-printed, lightweight and easy to manipulate). I made the mistake of ordering the non-segmented version of the 1927 full hull Wyoming -- the upper and lower (e.g., below waterline) hull sections are in traditional solid cast cream-colored resin and they do not align well, especially near the bow, which necessitates considerable puttying, sculpting and sanding. These kits are made by SSGlobal, and the 3D-printed parts are all in orange resin, well-cast and relatively easy to cut out of their printing cages. These are among this company's more recent releases, and have improved (but without text) assembly instructions, though the photos are still bicolor photocopies and too small. The six turrets have built-in blast bags, and all 12-in. main and 5-in. broadside guns are supplied as brass barrels (the two topside 5-in. and eight 3-in. guns are supplied as one piece each, nicely 3D-printed). No photoetch is included, so the modeler will need to obtain his own aftermarket railings and ladders.
- Attachments
-

-

-

-

The Chinese 3D-printed 1/350 USS Wyoming and USS Arkansas are now available (through our favorite online auction site) in both original configurations (two cage masts) and, at least for the Wyoming, a 1927 configuration with torpedo blisters, cage foremast and short tripod mainmast. Full hull and waterline versions are available, but I would advise purchasing a segmented hull version (with separate forward and rear hull sections that fit very nicely together, all 3D-printed, lightweight and easy to manipulate). I made the mistake of ordering the non-segmented version of the 1927 full hull Wyoming -- the upper and lower (e.g., below waterline) hull sections are in traditional solid cast cream-colored resin and they do not align well, especially near the bow, which necessitates considerable puttying, sculpting and sanding. These kits are made by SSGlobal, and the 3D-printed parts are all in orange resin, well-cast and relatively easy to cut out of their printing cages. These are among this company's more recent releases, and have improved (but without text) assembly instructions, though the photos are still bicolor photocopies and too small. The six turrets have built-in blast bags, and all 12-in. main and 5-in. broadside guns are supplied as brass barrels (the two topside 5-in. and eight 3-in. guns are supplied as one piece each, nicely 3D-printed). No photoetch is included, so the modeler will need to obtain his own aftermarket railings and ladders.