Hi guys, Sorry to bother you yet again. I have a feeling you will be hearing a lot from me for the duration of this project but I wanted to get the forums opinion on what PE set is best for the 1/350 scale Hornet from trumpeter. I plan on converting it to an early war Enterprise and have already ordered the Conversion kit from Nautilus. I’ve heard so many good comments about PE sets from Tom’s Models, WEM GMM but I’ve yet to find anyone that has compaired them to one another. Thanks!
Jon
I would recommend:
From WEM:
http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/brochure/wem_products.htm
Kit# 3527 Ultimate USS Hornet Set
Kit# 3541 USS Hornet “The Hanger Deck”
Kit# 3546 USS Hornet Perforated Catwalks
From Toms:
Kit# 3521 US Carrier Flotation Baskets
And then there are general sets that are generic.
Like “Doors, Hatches, Frames”, “Railings”, “Ladders”
There is also PE for the aircraft if you really want to get
overly detailed. LOL!
Anyway, these are just a suggestion. Like you say there are
different companies (GMM, WEM, Tom’s, L’Arsenal, etc…
so there is lots to choose from.
Shop around too to get the best prices as this stuff can really
add up. LOL!
Regards,
James [:)]
It depends on your experience level with PE. If you’re experienced with it, then WEM is the way to go. It’s very delicate though, and the set is extensive and expensive.
GMM is a good overall set for the average modeler. Not too fragile, and well done.
Toms is perfect for those not wanting to spend huge amounts of money, or go completely overboard on detailing. Tom’s brass is also a little heavier than the other two (but not to the point that it’s noticeable), making it easier for those with big fingers or not much experience with heavy duty PE sets.
Hope that helps. You can see all of the sets in the review section of Modelwarships.com
Regards,
Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com
I’m gonna give the old “google it” cop-out here, but it is just what I did a year ago and I found some excellent reviews of all these products. I wish I had saved the links.
I ended up buying some of each & where I wasn’t sure, one of each, which cost me a pretty penny or two… But I have the Essex also & figure I can hack the leftover stuff maybe …
My goal is the Hornet → Enterprise conversion, but I am going to then model the Enterprise after its 1943 rebuild so I can have lots more AA. That meant looking at the Essex P/E & a/c sets, etc.
It is still on the planning boards.
Thanks for all the info and Ideas. I’m very new to the whole Photo etched thing so maybe I should stay away from the WEM stuff at first. Reading all the reviews online they all look so awesome it’s hard to pick.
I searched the modelling sites and didn’t find a Primer for modeling PE. Is there any such beast around? Like and Intro to PE? Thanks again!
Jon
It doesn’t need primer. You should soak the PE fret in white vinegar for a few hours though; that will clean it up and give it some “tooth” for the paint to cling to.