1:700 HMS Hood (Tamiya 31806)

Flyhawk 1:700 wooden deck, HMS Hood

An accessory for ship modelers in 1:700 scale from Flyhawk. It is a deck of thin wood veneer, cut to the shape of the decks of the British battlecruiser HMS Hood. The deck is prepared for one particular kit of this ship in 1:700 scale, so it may not fit other models. The ship kit is not included in the package, and the set is not assembled, only glued onto the finished plastic deck.

The real subject

HMS Hood was an exceptionally long ship with extensive open decks, so the wooden covering makes up the largest continuous area on the model. It is precisely there that the difference between a quick build and a careful one shows. The veneer has the grain of real planks, including the seams, which cannot be achieved by painting plastic, and it also removes the risk of ruining the dominant area of the model with an uneven coat.

Use

• take the engraved detail off the plastic deck and level it flat
• lay the veneer on dry and check that it lines up with the superstructure and the openings
• glue it in sections from the center outward, pressing it down with a flat tool
• once glued, the wood only needs unifying with a matte clear coat; it does not have to be painted
• work the edges around the perimeter with a fine point so that nothing stands up anywhere
• cut the anchor and deck openings only after gluing, following the plastic under the veneer
• weather the finished deck only lightly; new planks look too clean

The set is meant for more experienced modelers. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.