Hi. I’m building a 1/350 WW2 Essex class aircraft carrier and I would like to light the hangar deck by placing a lighting kit on the underside of the flight deck. Could you tell me what kind/size/voltage kit to purchase?
I know of lighting (+ engines + engine noise) kits for Jet and Prop aircraft, but I don’t know of any specific kits for boats.
If you lean towards the experimental/proof of concept/el-cheapo end of the market…
I’ve used $/£/€ Store sets of christmas lights, run on 2 1.5V AA Batteries, available as warm white or multi-coloured sets.
Otherwise aim for 3V LED’s & be prepared to do a lot of research, viz, I had a fancy to light up a B17F… 26 visible lights, excluding the instruments…
Using LEDs is not very hard… If you buy the electronic components to do it yourself, it’s also a lot cheaper than this “lighting kit” you’re trying to find.
Here’s what I managed to do:
Parts - some $10 in total:
Soldering:
Testing:
And on a finished model - please note that it’s powered from a 5V USB power source - like the one used to charge your phone.
If you want I can try to give you some tips for the design, if you ned them.
Good luck with your build and have a nice day
Paweł
Here is a great source for LED’s, Miniature switches, etc. I have dealt with them several times and received excellent service.
What will be difficult is catching any and all light leaks. The ship only has the one elevator on the outside, but there are no doubt a lot of joints in the kit.
I echo Cadet Chuck on Evan Designs. Their products are excellent and they are very helpful; also stand behind their products. They have quite a gallery highlighting how customers have used their LED’s; might inspire how to use. Good luck with your build!