Akagi 1:350 PE frame work - go for it or not?

Greetings:

I hear what you're saying! I started my Akagi in December and just finished about a week ago. I never bought the pe set with all the parts for under the deck. I got the one with the railings and I only used half of it. They were just too delicate. Halfway through the build I started using railings I had left over from other IJN pe sets. If I were you I wouldn't use them or maybe just use the ones for under the deck in the bow and stern. I used the stock kit ones and they look fine. I'm taking a break from ships right now because of how long it took me to finish the Akagi. In the last week I've completed (3) 1/72 Luftwaffe planes I've had for years and enjoyed them thoroughly. I think my next ship will be one with sails which once all the rigging is done should take me about a year. Just my thoughts on using the pe set, you have to do what makes sense to you.

Sincerely

Michael Lacey

Cheers on that, I only have the PE for the underside due to a promotion when I bought it. I think it will be fine if I use the plastic and incorporate some of the larger PE.

I did the same thing as you, I built the San Mateo a wooden plank on hull ship by Constructo. Very time consuming, especially since I had never done one before. I am hoping on getting a cutty shark to do next.

 After it was done I built some quick Fine Molds kits ,2 Tie Fighters, a Y-Wing and the Slave 1. Had to get some small stuff done. Now it's back to another long build... I still have the new Bismark to build as well!

My philosophy is use the larger PE pieces where they make a really noticable difference...weigh the "extra bang" it brings to the model vs the hours and tedium it takes to make them...

I bought the 700th scale version primarily to avoid such issues and it still has great detail...in fact, I bought the wooden deck option for it and it looks awesome!

Hey Guys.............I always follow the path of least resistance, when it comes to using PE.

I apply it only where it will make a profound difference. One of the reasons why I'm into this, is to decompress after a stressful day at work.........It's very helpful