PE so many brands!

I don't know if they offer a PE set for your build but I've had good luck with Pontos for three seperate kits.

This is a place where the internet is really useful for reviews.

GMorrison

This is a place where the internet is really useful for reviews.

 

I agree with GM 100%.

madhatter,

I have a 1/350 Tamiya Bismarck that I have purchased a White Ensign PE set. I have not build this yet, so, I can not say how good the PE will be. But, reviews said it was good, and I bought it off eBay for what I thought was a good price. 

Checking eBay, there are several after market PE kits available for the Kongo (the WW2 battleship version). I have not heard any bad reviews on Pontos or Flyhawk. But, I have not personally used these sets either. 

Hopefully, another modeler with some experience of the Kongo kit will add their perspective. 

Ah , Tis funny :

 I have NOT tried Flyhawk , Pontos or , some of the others. I have only had experience with Tom's Modelworks , Gold Medal Models and Eduard and White Ensign . I will say , on my Japanese carrier G.M.M stuff came out great !

 I have worked with White Ensign in another scale and found them wanting .

Tom's is my goto, but I have had good luck with Goldmetal, White Ensign, and Pontos.  The only PE I did not like was included in a Hobby Boss ship kit.  Only thing wrong with that is that it was too hard, rather than soft.  Next time I do a HB kit I think I will anneal the whole sheet before painting.

Granted, in my old age, I'm not up to speed in the nuances of the modern age, but what is PE in reference to ship building ? It is certainly not "physical education", unless it means elbow bending at the work bench. Inquiring minds want to know.

Happy modeling    Crackers   

crackers

Granted, in my old age, I'm not up to speed in the nuances of the modern age, but what is PE in reference to ship building ? It is certainly not "physical education", unless it means elbow bending at the work bench. Inquiring minds want to know.

Happy modeling    Crackers   

 

 

Photo-etch, typically brass or some other soft metal.  Generally, it's a very thin sheet with reliefs and patterns etched into it.  For providing extra detail where styrene molding simply cannot.  It's a pain in the butt to work with.  However, it may be worth it.

Thanks for your reply. Now, I am little more wiser.

Happy modeling     Crackers  

I haven't used all the manufacturers by any means. Here is my take based on my limited experience, all in 1/700:

1) Tom's Modelworks generally has good sets, fairly complete, but the instructions are marginal, at best. It's hard enough trying to build a 1/700 sub, for instance, without trying to figure out that those itty-bitty pieces on the PE fret are actually cleats for the sub deck ... let alone where those cleats go ...

2) Gold Medal Models is outstanding in all respects. Everything you (or at least me) could want for a particular kit, detailed AND clear instructions. I've never had any issues with any of his products.

3) White Ensign Models frets can be beyond complete, and their instructions are generally quite good. If anything, sometimes the frets have too many things crammed in, making it hard to get at the piece you want.

Manufacturer's PE that comes with the kit can range from decent to truly awful. I got a small PE fret with a Pitroad Japanese seaplane tender. Not only was it stainless steel, and hard as hell to cut, but the instructions for it were vague AND in Japanese. The Loose Cannon Productions kits I've built have generally good PE, if a little thick on the railings, but again, sometimes vague instructions.

My