Some other non-naval models are finished, but the Princeton has lagged behind because I wanted to acquire a few extra planes. In the mean time I visited the SIG Warships, meeting for the first time in Belgium. Princeton was met with critical acclaim, but it was found that the interior should have been white. In fact, due to Princeton not having hangar doors other than in the elevator shafts, this is not going to show.
Some recent investments to the project will be demonstrated in this update. The Lifecolor US Navy set 1 and 1 extra color Pale Gray should facilitate the painting. Then I was after Hellcats. The first I bumped into were L'Arsenal's. I ordered one bag of 5 and also the Bofors circular 40mm magazine storage racks, large and small.
I might have to complete the larger number of smaller magazine racks with some excess parts of the large ones.
I'll avoid the resin tubs, because they seem frail and would have to be liberated and adapted. It seems to fit in the kit.
The Hellcats came with 9 (!) wheels and some PE.
This review compares the planes with the Dragon ones and the WEM photo-etch for them.
An eerie proportion difference baffled me. Also the surface detail was not as elaborated on the resin.
Wing span should measure 42ft 10 inch, length 33 ft and 7 inch.
Dragon (DML) spanned 37,2 mm and L'Arsenal (A) only 35.
37,2 x 350 = 13020 (mm at 1/1 scale)
13020 / 25 (mm per inch) = 520,8
This sums up to 43 ft 4 4/5 inch, slightly oversized. A compares to 40 ft 5/6 inch, well undersized. DML Fuselage length 32 feet 1/12 inch (no prop), A has 29 feet, also undersize.
WEM's PE has little more detail and it has wheelbay doors, missing in A which has only the legs.
Some adaptation is imminent, I guess.