Gentlemen,
Building a Panda Arleigh Burke in 1/350…
Through personal experience with Panda and some Forewarning…it seems the decals
provided in the box will fail me. Any suggestions or input on that and if they aren’t ship
shape any advice on how to find some replacements?
Thanks
Tank
Gold Metal Models has a 1/350th Modern Warship decal sheet. You can get the white striping, “T” hash marks, hull numbers, and draft markings form the sheet. The hull numbers will be white, a little brighter than the originals with the kit, but it beats no decals at all. I believe the decals for the flight deck need to be cut apart and applied sepatately to match up with with the molded features in the kit. You might try a white ink marker from a craft store. It works well if you can keep from over applying the ink. You also get bridge window decals in the set too.
Just so you know, the hull numbers are painted a subdued shade of gray, The same goes for the ship’s name on the stern. They’ve been this way for a few years now.
Tank,
I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Could you measure the size of the aft Vertical Launch System for me, I think it’s a 64-cell layout. Just the length and width will be fine!
Thanks for your efforts!
Regards,
Remko
While we’re on a thread concerning the Arleigh Burkes, have any of you noticed that you can’t find the kit anywhere now that the word’s out that Panda is not producing anymore? I went on the hunt for another Churchill last wekend and they are gone from all the internet sellers. There’s not even anything on e-bay. Looks like the only place to find one now is at a LHS. Or at least till somebody else gets the molds.
Rem,
I’d love to help you out but I’ll need more information to do so.
What type of measurement would you like me to take? cm, inches, etc? and which part of the ship would you like measured? Do you have a part number or other reference?
Hey Patherfinder,
Everybody loves a good selection of models to build, especially those hard to find kits. I know ship models can especially fall into this category. With that said, however, I’m not too upset about Panda’s haulting production. If this is the case, it might be because of the second class quality kits they’ve put out. You should expect to find anywhere from crummy decals to poor fit, and soft detailing when you purchase a Panda kit…and all that for a competively overpriced amount of money.
Maybe Panda is doing us a favor…although that’s just my humble opinion.
Tank
Path,
Just a quick follow up for you…If you’re looking for a nice selection of ship kits…and its the Arleigh Burke in Panda that you want…try this shop:
Hobby Heaven
Cranford, NJ
908) 272-7660
On my last visit a noticed a couple of the models you described including dragon’s ohio class boomer and other kits by dragon, tamiya, revell, and of course panda.
I know he’ll arange shipping and I think he has internet sales as well.
Ask for Fred (the owner)
Tank
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll call him right now.I do agree with quality issue you mentioned. There is a resin unit out there at around $185.00 if I remember correctly.
I’m not using the the PE that comes with the Panda kit any more. Flagship Models has what looks like a really nice PE set at about $40.00. I’m trying my 1st. Flagship PE set now and if I can handle it, I’ll try the Burke set. I’m doing a personal comparison WEM vs Flagship (just for my own knowledge) as to which one I can work and get the best results.
If I pick another one up, I’ll send you the hull numbers you need. If you haven’t found any yet.
Thanks again Tankbuster.
Hi Tank,
Thanks for helping me. Unfortunately I don’t have a part number for it, but it’s the aft weapons array. Below is a photograph of the real-deal:
It’s the yellowish-part just after the Harpoon launchers and before the drop to the helo-pad. Hope this helps
size in mm or cm would be great, thanks!
Remko
I’ll try to have a measurement for you asap.