Model Monkey's 1/350 3D printed Colorado Class Cage Masts have arrived from Shapeways.
This is the second 3D printed cage mast to hit the market, but the first to offer both main and forward cage masts as a set. Blue Ridge Models had previously released just the main cage mast. Here are the MM and BRM versions together:
- Model Monkey forward cage mast (left) and main cage mast (center) along with Blue Ridge Models main cage mast (right)
The MM main cage mast has a narrower circumference near the top of the mast. Looking at plans scanned from NARA II, they
look more accurate than the BRM version (I have not scaled down the drawings to 1/350, but have just eyeballed them). The BRM versions look like they may be too wide at the top.
Here is how the MM cage mast set looks on an unfinished 1/350 Blue Water Navy USS California:
Here is how the MM cage mast set looks on the MM West Virginia 3D printed superstructure and Yankee Model Works WeeVee hull, with the MM 3D printed spotting tops haphazardly plopped on top of the cage masts:
Overall, I think they look good - they certain "look" the part. I especially like the detail printed onto the main mast - all the supports under the searchlight platform and the ships bell, as seen in photos.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to use these parts and finish these ships one day. Now, if we could only coax MM to do a 3D replacement superstructure for the Prune Barge...
