Kit: No. 7049
Scale: 1/700
Manufacturer: Dragon, from Dragon Models USA, 626-968-0322, www.dragonmodelsusa.com
Price: $34.95
Comments: Injection-molded, 483 parts (63 photoetched), decals
Pros: Choice of full or waterline hull, crisp detail, extensive photoetched set, refit choices, viewable hanger deck
Cons: Lack of rigging diagram, no yardarm, instructions incorrect or vague, repetitive poses of photoetched figures

The aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) was the first of its class of “fast attack” carriers built during World War II. Commissioned on the last day of 1942, Essex saw action in most of the major Pacific campaigns. She entered the reserve fleet in 1947, was decommissioned in 1969, and scrapped in 1975.

The first thing I noticed when I opened Dragon’s box was the large number of parts! The moldings are crisp, having both recessed and raised surface details. The photoetched set is beautiful, and provides radar antennas, lattice masts, deck-side elevator supports, and several tiny crew figures. No railings are provided, though. An optional clear flight deck allows viewing the hangar deck below.

Kit options include waterline or full-hull, 1943 through 1944 refits parts, and 18 TBF, F6F, and SBD aircraft.

The two-page, 10-step instructions are clearly illustrated with part numbers. A painting and marking guide is also part of the instructions.

One mistake of note in the instructions was an incorrectly drawn and labeled illustration for the 1944 extended-bridge version. In step 8, on the inset drawing titled “Early 1944,” the parts identified as E1 and E4 should be replaced with parts F1 and F2.

Markings for both 1943 and 1944 flight decks are included, along with two versions of aircraft stars and bars. The decals are thin, printed in register, and the colors appear accurate.

Assembly was straightforward except for a few glitches. In step 8, to mount the photoetched SK radar at the correct distance from the stack, use the base from part No. K17 and a short length of rod. In addition, the photoetched rail MA12, is too wide to fit in its location, and the bridge sides will need to be trimmed.

I chose to depict my Essex in Measure 21, so I painted the model with Polly Scale’s acrylic USN 5-N navy blue and the flight deck with deck blue 20B. After a coat of acrylic clear gloss, I doused the flight deck decals with repeated applications of Micro-Sol to get them to conform to the intricate surface detail.

I weathered the flight deck with Polly Scale deck tan and a brownish-black oil paint wash. Dry pigments add rust and sea weathering. Wrapping up construction, I painted and posed a few aircraft and figures on the flight deck.

The model is nicely detailed when finished, and it measures right to the dimensions in Warship Perspectives – Essex Class Aircraft Carriers in WWII.

Although it’s a trouble-free project, working on the photoetched parts and small-caliber weapons was time consuming; I spent 24 hours on my Essex. Because of the large number of small parts, you should have some modeling experience before tackling this one.

– Phil Kirchmeier