First, an overall photo of progress so far.
![](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/wishbone99/PearlHarbor2013/07a_zps75ba5451.jpg)
Construction step 7 includes adding ladders to the air intake assembly, so I did that first, using PE parts.
![](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/wishbone99/PearlHarbor2013/07b_zpsed0ecd26.jpg)
The aft deck parts come next, including life rafts, 1.1 guns, and gun director tubs. The directors in the tubs are PE, and very tiny. Actually, I regret not using the kit parts, which were more visible.
I replaced the kit depth charge racks with PE. The charges themselves have to be made out of 1mm long .030 plastic rod.
![](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/wishbone99/PearlHarbor2013/07c_zps68efebe1.jpg)
I also installed the PE deck rails at this point. The fore rails:
![](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/wishbone99/PearlHarbor2013/07d_zps68b5a94f.jpg)
And the aft rails:
![](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/wishbone99/PearlHarbor2013/07e_zps1108db45.jpg)
Also during the phase, the pillars for the catapults and some little block-like pieces go on amidship. I also put on the little pieces that were called for in construction step two, hoping I wouldn't knock them off during the rest of the build. I did knock the jack staff off the bow, so I'm not going to replace it till later.
![](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/wishbone99/PearlHarbor2013/07f_zpsb599eaaf.jpg)