Tom's Modelworks 1/350
USS Essex Class Detail Set #3530,
with sets 3531, and 3518 Introduction With Trumpeter's new 1/350 USS Essex kit on the horizon wouldn't you know that Tom's Modelworks would be ready for it with another one of his excellent photo etched detail set. With the new Essex 3530 set Tom included his Carrier Baskets set 3531 and His Carrier Catwalks set 3518 for our review. Friends, I have been bending Tom's metal for some time but I must say that he has outdone himself with this new Essex class set. Read on. WWII Essex Class Carrier Set 3530 I was delighted when Tom's new set came in the mail. The set includes (count 'em) four frets of PE and seven sheets of instructions! Instructions include Tom's basics of photo-etch and 40 "steps" with drawings identifying different parts and their placement. A full page of notes and four pages of excellent sketches leaving little to the imagination follow this. Tom even identifies the Trumpeter parts to be replaced or enhanced. It looks like Tom did his homework on this one! The Metal One large photo-etch fret contains a gun shields, ladders, elevator support frames and aircraft details. Aircraft parts are plainly labeled and include props, landing gear and even antennae! One could make a pretty good build just doing the F6F, SB2C, and TBF aircraft with this level of detail! There are 20mm and 40mm gun shields and sights to spruce up the kit parts. The port elevator support framing is large and impressive including five frames. A funnel grill is also included. Another large fret includes a plethora of ship's railings in five different styles. A 1/350 Essex class is one big model so get ready for a ton of railing fun! As usual Tom's PE is nicely scaled but durable. It has just the right balance of scale without being flimsy. The fret also has plenty of ladders. A third large fret contains the various antennae and aerial masts. This set has parts for SK, MK4 YE and SC2 radar arrays and their supports. Assorted other antennae are also well represented. The fret also contains arrestor wire covers and crash barrier supports for the flight deck. A small fret contains the parts for the aft and fore LSO stations. The fore stations were not used in this class but for a very short period. The fret includes three different posed figures for the LSO !!!  Carrier Baskets Set #3531 Tom was generous to send us his US Carrier Flotation Baskets set for this article. A single fret contains parts for 48 baskets and a single instruction sheet. Parts are folded and rolled into baskets for placement around the ship's catwalks. A reference photo is included. Perforated Carrier Catwalks With Rails # 3518  Speaking of catwalks Tom sent us his Carrier with Rails set for good measure. A single large fret has 10 sets of catwalks in two types. This should be enough to replace the kit catwalks for the entire build! Conclusion I am very impressed with the Essex Class detail set. It is obvious that Tom's Modelworks was very much involved with this Trumpeter release and it shows. This detail set is well thought out and executed. Tom's Carrier Baskets and Catwalks should really add nice touches to the build. I highly recommend these sets to the average to advanced large-scale ship modelers due to the vast array of parts and railings. You might want to have a few detailed builds under you belt before tackling such a large project as this. Man, I can't wait to start building now! We thank Tom Harrison of Tom's Modelworks for generously providing these review samples. | 
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