Whenever an aircraft or helicopter is not moving on a US Navy flight deck, it is attached to the deck with tie down chains which are connected to several tie down points scattered across the flight deck. While the real tie down points are sturdy enough to restrain a fully loaded Tomcat or Phantom, in 1/72 scale they would be a real bear to make. Thankfully Brengun has come to the rescue with two new photo-etch sets depicting the two styles of tie down points used by the US Navy.

This set is the “cross” or “+” style of tie down point. These were used on the USS Midway and several of the helicopter assault ships such as the USS Belleau Wood LHA-3.

The set includes a single photo-etch fret with 119 tie down points – plenty for several 1/72 scale display bases. No instructions are provided or really necessary, but a listing of the ships that these types of tie down points were used on would have been helpful. However, with a little bit of Internet research checking photographs of the flight deck of the ship you are looking to model you should be able to decide which style is appropriate.

As the real tie down points sit over a slightly recessed area in the flight deck, I recommend drilling a slight divot under the tie down point to simulate this feature. In comparing the tie down points to my drill bits, it looks like a 7/64 drill bit should be just about right.

A nice set that will add good details to your display base for USN and Marine aircraft and helicopters at sea! Recommended!

Thank you to Hauler for the review sample and to IPMS-USA for letting me review it.