Trumpeter 1/200 USS Arizona BB-39 1941 Radio Control

The Biggest USS Arizona model kit - Trumpeter 1:200 scale

 

This model is gigantic for a static model. It's grand size also tickles the RC-conversion nerve endings...

 

This is the biggest USS Arizona plastic model kit available. At 1:200 scale it measures a massive 925mm long, and 160mm wide (35.5 x 6.25 inches), and with almost 1000 pieces, there is no shortage of details.

 

This kit was released in 2010, so it's a modern design and comes with the main gun barrels made of brass, four sheets of photo-etched parts (including hand rails, cranes etc.). Another neat feature are the metal shafts and propellers.

 

Building the kit out-of-the box will certainly produce a fine model. However, it is apparent the kit designers had to make some difficult judgement decision between price-point and level of detail.

 

For instance, the secondary armament gun barrels and most of the crane and catapult parts are injection molded. Trumpeter realized there was a market hungry for even greater detail and released an upgrade Set for the USS Arizona. It is reasonably priced and well worth the money. If that's not enough, there are even more photo-etch parts offered from third parties such as White Ensign Hobbies.

 

Another cool detail is the Vought OS2U "Kingfisher" float planes she carried are molded in clear plastic. This way the canopy can be left clear when painted. I can't think of a simpler way with a better result.

 

The hull comes in two parts split along (or slightly below) the waterline, much like many modern 1/350 scale ships.