| Gold Medal Models | |
| 1/350 Mikasa Photo Etch Set | |
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kit number 350-35 |
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Reviewed By Charles Landrum, #26328 |
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MSRP: $40.00 Available directly from Gold Medal Model or through retail outlets. Review copy provided by Gold Medal Models 1412 Fisherman Bay Road Lopez, WA 98261 USA I would like to thank Loren Perry for this review sample. |
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Loren Perry has really come up Gold with this release. To
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the rise of Japanese maritime power,
Hasegawa has release a definitive kit of Mikasa, the flagship of Tsushima
Straits in 1/350 scale. It is a well-engineered jewel of a kit.
Gold Medal Models allows you to make it a crown Jewel. Mikasa was
not a large ship (415 feet at the waterline) but typical of the period, it
was busy, with its vestiges of the Age of Sail, broad side guns and
yardarm masts superimposed over a massive engineering plant. And
this was still a period when warships were well appointed with trim and
fancywork. Hasegawa faithfully replicates the Victorian Industrial
Age appearance of the ship. Add some PE railings and ladders and you
have a very nice model. But Loren Perry has engineered this release
to not only provide the basics but also to replace many of the heavily
molded details with nicely rendered double-relief etched details that will
make this kit stunning. This is a GMM set that provides a spectrum of detail for levels of experience in ship modeling. While not a large fret, less than 6in x10in, as we have come to expect it is packed with detail. Whether you are content just adding railings and ladders, or a super-detailing, this set will meet your needs. You even receive a scale figure of Admiral Togo etched in brass for the bridge! Every part is clearly labeled on the brass sheet; its’ use and location are equally clear on large, double sided 8 ½ x 14 instruction sheet. Noteworthy are the side and overhead view drawings provided. |
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Here is what comes in the set:
What I continue to be amazed by are the fine details in GMM’s sets. The funnel details are superb, especially the petite funnel rings. However, these look to be the most daunting part of this set; install them out of parallel and you detract from the appearance of the model. However Loren does not leave us in the dark for included in the set is a PE jig to properly space and align the rings. Interestingly he recommends setting the parts with liquid cement not CA. The stern detail is breathtaking. The extra name board is a nice touch, especially if you have problems painting the fine characters. I also really like the look of the double etched boat cradles, brackets for the bridge wings and mast platforms, and the skylight covers. The latter allow you to open the skylights to the spaces below. Finally the torpedo net replacement platforms are nicely rendered. |
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So what are the drawbacks of the set? The funnels will present the
most challenge. Aside from the funnel rings, if you want to add the
“custom details” such as the eyebolts and turnbuckles for the funnel and
mast stays (and the blocks sheaves or pulleys for boat derrick), you will
need additional references – they are not on the drawings provided.
I suspect that Loren rightfully figured that if you are going to add those
details, you will line up the proper references anyway. The good
news is that since this ship is so well documented, the information is
available. I suspect that the second challenge will be to set the
stern walk on plumb while avoiding CA buildup on the petite details. The ships of this transition period in history were a wealth of visual detail; so a good PE set is a must to help replicate this level of detail. This latest release by Gold Medal Models provides everything that you need in one competitively priced package. If you plan to build Hasegawa’s Mikasa, you need this set. |
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