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Posted by Robert Apfelzweig on January 19, 2026, 8:52:26, in reply to "Re: B to B+ effort"
No, Steve, I haven't yet searched for aftermarket catapults for an R-class battleship; my first priority is to find a suitable wood deck. Last year I was actively building Chinese 3D-printed models, until the tariffs set in and delivery became both uncertain and more expensive. Now I see that on *-Bay a new 1/350 kit of the SMS Derfflinger has been released, and I'm re-evaluating benefit-to-risk assessment! 
Previous Message
Robert have you found any possibilities that might work for the catapult? I was going to look at the White Ensign site and see if any of the sets for other ships might have a candidate. I wonder if any of the aftermarket folks will do a set as Trumpeter has supplied most of what is needed. Previous Message
I received mine about a month ago; yes, Trumpeter is getting better at the quality of their ship kits, buts I still don't see the need for giving each 15-in. gun barrel three sprue attachment points -- all on the barrel, none on the breech. I have most of the photoetch materials I need (except for the catapult, which could really use a brass replacement), but I prefer to wait for a suitable wood deck. Many of my earlier models (Arizona, Hood, Nagato, etc.) were built before they were offered, and are the poorer for it. Previous Message
Full in-box review coming, just need to get all the photos shot. Previous Message
Just got the kit and although I have not gone through it with a fine tooth comb it looks like a good effort. What struck me is this may be the first ship kit I could do without any aftermarket. Trumpeter has been steadily increasing its photoetch in kits and this is the best yet. Still I'll likely get a full photo-etch catapult, likely metal 15 inch barrels Very Fire cable reels and Black Cat anti-aircraft replacements. Still debating on whether I should wait for a wooden deck. If they do another ship of the class I'll likely get it.
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