The basic PE fret includes hatches, ladders, and misc. ship details
May 29 2009, 7:14 PM
... the extra-custom PE fret includes pre-formed radar for the MK37 director and some railings. The two PE frets, combined, give you almost everything you would need to trick out the Buchanan. The only missing item is the cone-shaped search-light basket - midships, and the lattice to support it.
The Dragon Buchanan and Cyber-Hobby Buchanan are the same kit. Cyber-Hobby sold, sells or perhaps includes with the kit now a PE upgrade which contains the parts described by Mr Grune. Both kits contain the basic PE set which has the prop guards, stack ladders, sky lookout shields, doors, life raft mounts and some other misc parts.
The fire control radar in the extra set is a gem, however watch out for the PE railings for the bow of the ship. The railings are given as straight runs that do not take into account the upward curve of the deck there.
I still haven't worked out how I'm going to try this, other than bite the bullet and buy the Gold Medal Models set, which already has the curved rails or cut the run into smaller sections and fit as it goes on.
I have seen several models and photos of several models where the railings were attached as they came off the sprue. In each case the railings ended up splayed(tilted) inboard and to my eye were a real distraction.
Also to whats been said above,they differ from her early to late war configuration,ie more anti aircraft weapons,radar,etc.
I have both kits and if I were to choose I would go with the cyberhobby,hth.
The 42 version represents the ship as launched up to 1943 when she was rebuilt. The 45 version is correct for 44 and 45. The CyberHobbies release is a special edition that includes extra parts to build the late war version of the ship. See the reviews below for more info.
... theyr'e in the stash at home and I don't have them in front of me.
IIRC, from fingering the kits that the '45 Buchanan kit is essentially a re-box of the '42 with an additional sprue for the aft superstructure's gun tub changes. There is a different crew figure sprue. The '45 version has MacArthur and some officers (the Buchanan transported MacArthur to the surrender). The '42 has enlisted crew figures. The '45 instructions are an additional sheet, including painting, to the basic '42 version.
If all you have is a '45 - you can likely get to a '42 without too much trouble.
Ed is mostly correct, you get all the 42 parts in the kit in the 45 kit, with the exception of the six 42 figures and walkway decals. 3 New figures are included in the 45 version (including a Mac figure), and the walkway decals are customized for the 45 kit. Most of the walkway decals can be adapted to the 42 one if you don't mind trimming around the aft gun tubs. Getting the 45 kit would give you the 40 mm mounts and a lot of extra details to use for other projects.
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