Italeri 1/72 Carrier Deck Section Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | December 2012 | Manufacturer | Italeri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Carrier Deck Section | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 1326 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Nice diorama or vignette display for your 1/72 US Navy fighter | Cons | No deck figures |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $43.00 |
First Look
 |
 |
 |
Italeri has released an interesting new diorama or vignette display base in the form of this modern US Navy catapult display. This is a simple project that provides a section of carrier deck with the end of the catapult on one end of the display and a section of jet blast deflectors which are positionable mounted to the other end. The display also has a positionable access hatch with a recess moulded into the deck.
The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on three parts trees including the main display base. Assembly is simple, build up the two jet blast deflector wells and mounted them to one end of the display base. You can then set your favorite modern US Navy aircraft subject on the display with perhaps some scale figures to depict the aircraft about to launch.
I marked the accuracy of this display down slightly as it appears that this catapult represents the inboard waist catapult from a Nimitz-class carrier given that the jet blast deflector is angled slightly from the centerline of the catapult after assembly. The rows of tie-downs recessed into the deck alight with this catapult but that isn't how they align with that catapult. Minor discrepancy, but I stared at a number of US Navy flight deck images trying to sort out which of the four catapults this one was supposed to represent.
Nevertheless, ever since Skunk Models released a similar display base in 1/48 scale, I've wondered when someone would offer a similar product for the 1/72 scale community. Our wait is over. Recommended!
My sincere thanks to MRC for this review sample!