Scale: 1/525

Recommended to help build USS Franklin CV-13 from:
Lindberg 1/525 USS Yorktown CV-10 
Lindberg 1/525 USS Yorktown CV-10 
Lindberg 1/525 USS Lexington 'BLUE GHOST' Aircraft Carrier 
Lindberg 1/525 USS Wasp CV-18 
 
This model represents the island of the Essex class aircraft carrier USS Franklin CV-13 as it appeared from May through November 1944.  During work completed at Norfolk Navy Yard in April, 1944, the island's as-built forward-most Bofors tub was removed, the flag bridge was enlarged by extending it forward, the original pilot house was retained, and the shape of the mast-top radar platform was changed and enlarged aft.  The ship did not yet have the three starboard-side hull-mounted Bofors mounts and sponsons or the enlarged pilot house fit at Puget Sound Navy Yard that December.

The island was in this configuration during stikes on the Bonin Islands, Guam, Rota Island, the Palau Islands, the Peleliu invasion, strikes on Leyte Island, the sinking of the super-battleship Musashi, the Battle off Cape Engaño including damaging the aircraft carrier Chiyoda (which would later be sunk by American cruiser gunfire) and the sinking of aircraft carrier Zuihō.  The island was NOT in this configuration during a horrific kamikaze attack on March, 19th, 1945, the following year.  

This design captures features specific to USS Franklin, differing from other 3D-printed Essex class aircraft carrier island designs available separately.

Features:
fully assembled
scaled dimensions match official US Navy Booklet of General Plans drawings for USS Antietam CV-36, as well as scaled drawings by John Roberts appearing in "Anatomy of the Ship: The Aircraft Carrier Intrepid", with details adjusted to match photos of USS Franklin CV-13
splinter shielding and deck shape for the navigating bridge are accurate to USS Franklin
accurately shaped, detailed and positioned doors of three different types with chevron-shaped rain deflector detail (most doors are positioned open)
accurately sized and positioned open portholes, of two different sizes, with rigol ("eyebrow") details
accurately shaped decks and catwalks
deck supporting structure details accurately positioned as confirmed by photos of the real ships
open battle lookouts
subtly curved funnel caps
open uptakes completely through the island, with correct bend in rear uptake
open flag lockers
accurate exterior cabling detail
Bofors tubs spent shell casing chutes
formation lights on searchlight platform splinter shield
funnel access scuttle
exterior steam pipes for ship's whistles
starboard-side incinerator pipe
venturi (wind deflector) on splinter shield around the pilot house
subtle, raised locator discs on decks and platforms to aid on the placement of 40mm Bofors mounts, 20mm Oerlikon guns and searchlights (Bofors, Oerlikons and searchlights are not included)
integrated tripod mast with ship's bell
 
Please view renderings in the carousel to see where to position your plastic or resin kit's (or other aftermarket) Mk.51 directors on the starboard-side 20mm Oerlikon platforms.  Mk.51 directors are not included with this 3D-printed island.

Please visit ShipCamouflage.com to learn which colors are correct for your model (click here).

This model is scaled to represent the features of the actual ship based on the best, authoritative references available.  It is NOT a 3D-printed copy of any metal, plastic or resin kit's parts therefore it may be sized and shaped differently than the parts in your plastic or resin kit.  Some adjustment to your kit's parts or other aftermarket sets such as photo etch or wood decks may be needed for best fit.
 
© Model Monkey LLC.  This 3D-printed item may not be copied or recast.