Skunkmodels 1/48 WWII USN Wooden Carrier Deck Display Base Build Review

By Michael Benolkin

Background

A few weeks ago, Lucky Model sent us three display bases from Skunkmodels Workshop for review. One was a modular unit that had three card stock flight decks that could be interchanged depending on what you wanted to park upon it ( look here). One was an impressive display base replicating the port side bow catapult from the USS Nimitz ( look here). The third display base was modular like the first one, but instead of card stock flight decks, this one had wood and photo-etch to replicate the deck of a World War II aircraft carrier like the Essex-class ( look here). Since the card stock flight deck was finished in the first review, I wanted to take a closer look at these other two flight decks as these are something completely new.

As I mentioned in the initial review, this World War II flight deck is made up of four modules that clip together. Once the clips were all in place, I used Tamiya Extra Thin Cement to make the entire assembly into one part. I set this aside for a day or so to dry. Next I dry-fit the wood sections into the deck base. These are six wood sections and six small wood spacers that hold up the six photo-etched strips between the wood sections. Satisfied that there were no surprises here, I used cyano to glue the wood deck sections into place being careful not to glue in the spacers.

Once the cyano had set up, I ran my hand over the deck and decided to sand the surface smooth. When I was satisfied with the results, I applied two coats of clear satin Polyurethane to seal the wood from painting and future abuse. I set this aside for another day to dry, then sanded the surface again with a very fine grit to prepare the surface. I used cyano again to install the wood spacers between the deck sections, then installed the photo-etch strips over the top. All but one was flush with the surface of the flight deck.

World War II carrier decks were usually painted Norfolk #20/250-N Flight Deck Stain and according to our color reference system, the closest color match was Vallejo Model Air 005. I airbrushed two coats onto the flight deck which covered nicely. I may add stripes and warning marks at a future date before adding copious weathering once I've decided where this section of flight deck resides.

Note that I painted mine in World War II colors, but you can paint yours a very dark gray/tire black to replicate an Essex-class carrier during the Korean War before they were converted into angle-deck configurations.

Conclusion

I must say that I'm still really impressed with this display base. You can see in the images above how nice they look with the early Pacific camouflage as shown on this F4F-4 as well as the Atlantic camouflage on the SB2C-4E in the cover image. As I mentioned above, change the color of the base to a dark gray or tire black and that F9F-2 Panther would be right at home as well. Once I get the final weathering finished and add a few deck crew figures, this display will really look outstanding. Kudos to Skunkmodels for producing these great looking displays and at reasonable prices. These are available from Lucky Model.

My sincere thanks to Lucky Model for this review sample!