New PE US Navy Catapult? 1/96? 1/72?

Thank you for product line expanding ideas. At this moment we will focus on 1:72. In 1:48 there is a good product by LoneStar. Scale is to big for our photoetch at now. I think that catapult should be one part etching to make it easy to align and durable. 1:144 - I am not sure there is a big enough need on market now.

Generally we plan to do 1:72 scale diorama bases for naval aircraft. Not cheap kits, but really well detailed, as easy as possible to build. Real challenge are catwalk railings. They should not be flat like photoetch, but also easy to built. Kit will have pre cut 0,5 mm tubes. I think we found a good idea to make vertical parts standing stright up. Problems with catwalk is there were a lot of variations. We had to choose one. Modeler has to check references and make modifications depending on ship he is building.

And to expand the scale a bit,  Mike West of Lone Star Models has announced that he is re-releasing his 1:48 scale catapult.  Availability in August, in time for the IPMS Nats.

I see that our product is discussed here. For more about details see product website please:

http://attacksquadron.pl/index.php/products/katapulta-p-6-us-navy-ii-w-s/?lang=en

You find there 3D renderings of catapult prototype including details. Some PE parts you see on pictures will be done from resin to easy assemble. Also railings are made from 0.5mm brass tube, cut to lenght. Photoetch supports in side walks help easy assembly and aligment of railings.

Here is better photo of prototype (without railings):

A posting on Hyperscale announces the availability of the catapult

http://www.network54.com/Forum/409174/message/1298631666/1-72+scale+P-6+Catapult+kit

Its by a company called Attack Squadron out of Poland.   Current sale price is 64.14 Eu which converts to 88.45 USD (plus shipping).  MSRP is 75.45 Eu (103.65 USD).

The White Ensign catapult is 37.40 GBP (plus VAT if applicable) - thats 60.21 USD.   WEM's products ship for free.  http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/White_Ensign_Models_1_72_Aircraft_Catapults.html

EdGrune

White Ensign makes a photoetched USN catapult,   but the layout shown is  different and the etch quality looks to be lesser than the WEM offering  (i.e. not relief etched).

I noticed that the top and sides of this catapult looked awfully smooth, and simplistic.  So I am guessing that this is being produced for airplane guys and gals to display their work.  Not as a serious scale model for someone building a 1/72 scale Battleship or Cruiser.  With some work this could be a decent start though, I would bet.  Anyway, it's another option for any builders out there who need it!  Kudos to another manufacturer trying to fill a niche.

Zoom in on the logo in the corner and it says Attack [Specialties ?].   Attack is a kit and aftermarket company out of the Czech Republic.  

I''d say its 1:72 scale -- that is a common scale produced by Attack.

The aircraft is an overall primer SOC Seagull  (Hasegawa)

White Ensign makes a photoetched USN catapult,   but the layout shown is  different and the etch quality looks to be lesser than the WEM offering  (i.e. not relief etched).