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Not all
ship
models
are
created
equal.
This
section
is to
assist
buyers
who
already
have
some
experience
in ship
modeling
in
comparing
our
models
with
others'.
Although
this
section
is
somewhat
technical,
it does
help you
to
distinguish
our
models
from
what
some of
the
commercial
sellers
are
offering.
Please
remember
the model
you buy
will
stay
with you
for a
long
time.
After
owning
it for
some
time,
you find
out some
outrageously
wrong
features
but
could
not do
anything
about it. So
go for
the most
accurate
models
from the
best
company.
Accuracy,
beauty,
and
detail
are the
three
components
that you
should
look for
in a
model. Make
your own
homework,
compare,
and
decide.
The
standards
used by
the U.
S. Navy
and
Smithsonian
have
been
relatively
unchanged
since
1945:
-
Resistance
to
actions
of
temperature,
humidity,
and
light
is
essential...It
is
advised
that
fiberglass
resins,
styrene,
expanding
foams,
casting
resins,
and
cyanoacrylate
glues
be
avoided
when
other
materials
can
possibly
be
used.
-
'Workmanship
shall
be in
accordance,
in
every
respect,
with
the
best
model-building
practices.
Hulls
shall
be
smooth,
fair,
and
symmetrical;
without
blemishes,
sap
pockets,
or
tool
marks,
and
shall
be
scraped
and
sand-papered
to
smooth
surface.
Castings
shall
contain
no
visible
mold
marks.'
-
Any
item
with
any
scale
dimension
of
1/8"
or
greater
must
be
reproduced...work
must
be
consistent
[no
super-detailing
of one
part
of the
model
contrasting
with
lesser
levels
of
detail
elsewhere].
- A
great
deal
is
specified
about
acceptable
and
required
materials
(e.g.,
'Propellers
should
be
cast
in
bronze...
Plastic
propellers
are
not
permitted').
-
'Painting
of
models
shall
receive
careful
attention...All
parts
of the
model
shall
have a
surface
treatment
representing
the
actual
vessel
if
reduced
in
scale...models
shall
be
spray
painted
with
opaque
lacquer.
Paint
shall
be
applied
thinly
and
evenly
so
that
fine
detail
will
not be
obliterated.
The
use of
metallic
paints
such
as
silver
or
gold
is
discouraged.
The
use of
white
enamel
or
natural
varnish
is not
permitted'...
'Wooden
parts
shall
be
sufficiently
filled
and
primed
so
that
when
rubbed
down,
the
wood
grain
is not
visible.'
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