Model of Detailing Kit USS Langley AV-3 1/350 Scale Ship

Compatibility

• Model: Trumpeter USS Langley AV-3
• Model reference: 05632
• Scale: 1/350
• Detailing kit reference: 06647

Difficulty Level

This kit is mainly aimed at modelers who already have some experience with photo-etching.

Its assembly requires:

• precision tweezers;
• a photo-etch bender for long parts;
• cyanoacrylate glue;
• possibly a special metal primer before painting.

The numerous very small parts require patience and precision.

The Represented Ship

The USS Langley AV-3 is particularly interesting as it represents the final career of the famous USS Langley, the first aircraft carrier of the US Navy (CV-1), converted into a seaplane tender (AV-3) in 1936-1937.

This version features a very open structure with a significant network of metal beams under the old flight deck, which explains the richness of this photo-etching kit. The ship was sunk on February 27, 1942 off Java after a Japanese air attack.

Contents of the Trumpeter 05632 model kit

The original model kit already includes a good level of detail:

• over 540 parts;
• one-piece hull;
• detailed decks;
• 17 sprues;
• metal anchor chain;
• 6 Consolidated P2Y seaplanes;
• complete decals.

Kit 06647 complements these elements by replacing the finest parts with much more realistic metal components.

Interest for the Modeler

With this set, the model gains a lot in finesse:

• scale railings;
• realistic openwork structures;
• much finer gangways;
• perfectly reproduced characteristic lattice;
• finish close to contest models.

This is one of the most interesting accessories to highlight this atypical model representing the first American aircraft carrier turned seaplane tender.