Best PE for Trumpeter 1/350 SS John W Brown Liberty ship?

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

I have a check already to mail to GMM but was wondering if the Eduard PE set (EDU53017 1:350 Eduard PE - Liberty Ship Detail Set) would be as good if not better? The Eduard set I can get for less $ so I’m throwing this query out here in hopes that several of you may have built the kit and used both of these PE sets.

Mike

2

I do not really use PE, but from what I have been reading here, the GMM sets are thinner and easier to “fold” as the have the fold lines etched in.

3

I have that GMM set but haven’t used it yet. It looks to be really comprehensive.

One comment is that because of the scale (1/350 is kind of small for a freighter) and size of the ship, the PE parts are REALLY small.

I sort of doubt my ability to use a lot of it.

4

Arnie,

I have used - and liked - GMM PE in the past. I just thought, since I have loads of time, I would make the inquiry on this site in hope that some of you modelers have built either of the Trumpeter Liberty ships and can offer me an opinion on both brands of PE.

If I don’t hear from anyone who has actually built the ship(s) with PE, I’ll just go ahead and get the GMM set - I’m sure it’s fine, just will cost me about $10.00 more than the Eduard set.

Mike

5

I used the GMM PE on my liberty ship and both on the Dreadnought. I found both to be very workable and forgiving. It would come down to what they offer for the price knowing either brands are a good choice. Heck I use both products on my ships because one seems to have what the other doesn’t and I want it.

Marcus.

6

There are other options besides the two you listed. Tom’s Modelworks also has a 1/350 Liberty Ship set for the Trumpeter kit, for example. www.tomsmodelworks.com/…/product_info.php

7

Marcus,

Thanks for chiming in. I appreciate your feedback.

MJames70,

Thanks for the link. Although I will probably get the GMM set anyway, I might consider the TMW set as well as it seems to be very reasonably priced. Always nice to have a little extra PE in case I screw up - which happens a bit too often I’m afraid.

Thanks again,

Mike

8

I used the Tom’s set for the Jeremiah O’Brian. It was fine. Some of the plastic parts of the kit were good enough for me and I thought the PE was unnecessary.

Fred

9

The only people who can really answer which is “best” are folks who have built the kit with each of the available PE sets. I only build one JOB, and I, like Fred, used the Tom’s set. I was quite satisfied, and thought the instructions quite nice.

10

Fred and Don,

Thanks for your opinions.

I ordered the Tom’s set. I’ll have an internal debate as to whether or not I should get the GMM set as well [*-)]

Mike

11

One thing: the Tom’s set comes with blocks for the cargo rigging. The instructions tell you to place a slice of plastic rod on the block, then fold the other half over so the plastic disc serves as the pulley inside the block. Try it if you want, but I gave up on it and most everybody else I talk to did also. Forget the plastic disc and just fold the two halves together and call it done.

12

Onyxman,

Thanks for the tip. The PE that I had for the 1/350 HMS Dreadnought I built not so long ago used the same idea. I just folded the blocks and didn’t bother with putting their little “pulley” pieces between them. It still looked ok.

Mike