Military Model Scene

Well known for their 1/35 armour models, but less so for having started with a 1/700 ship, Meng continue to expand the variety of models they are producing.  Not a complex model and interesting to see they have chosen to use multiple colour plastics for the various parts sprues.  The bulk are in grey while the lower hull is a dark red, the propellers in a yellowy 'brass' colour, while the waterline plate, the flight deck and the funnel top are in black plastic.

Originally laid down as a Battleship, the Washington Treaty resulted in the two hulls being completed as aircraft carriers, and both larger than any others around at the time.  While it escaped the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the Lexington was targeted and sunk at the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942.  Interesting (and timely) news in early March 2018 is that searchers have found the largely intact wreck of the Lexington on the sea bed.

A neat feature is not just that it can be built as either a full-hull or a waterline model, the lower hull can be left unglued so you can clip it in or remove it as you like.  The various elements get assembled in sequence, the lower hull, hull, funnel, bridge and gun turrets before these are all brought together.  The other important element is of course the aircraft complement.  There are three different aircraft types, the Devastator, Dauntless and the Wildcat, all early war types.  For all three of these there 6 of each, so a total of 18 aircraft to occupy the flight deck.  Moulded in the grey plastic they are notable for having the propeller blades moulded in place as well, rather unusual for the tiny aircraft in this scale.

The transfer sheet includes the US star insignias for all of the aircraft, and even the red/white striped tail marking for the Wildcats. Easy enough to build, I now have the job of painting it ahead of me, for which I will use the Lifecolor paint sets for the US Navy...

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I bought mine through Tiger Hobbies Ltd here in the UK

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Robin