GOLD MEDAL MODELS
1/350 Imperial Japanese Navy Railing Photo-Etch Set

 

Reviewed January 2026
by Martin J Quinn


Squadron Hobbies, the new owners of the iconic Gold Medal Ship Model Photo Etch Fittings line, have re-released the 1/350 IJN Railings photo-etch set.  The original set dates back to the mid-1990's.

There is one photo-etch fret included in set.  The photo comes in all new packaging.  Instead of the former standard business envelope, it now comes in a much large clear plastic envelope, with the Gold Medal Models logo prominently displayed on the cardboard insert.  The photo-etch set itself is taped to the cardboard, and placed in its own plastic envelope, and also covered on both sides in thin, clear plastic. 

The fret contains five different styles of rails:

Railing Style 1 - Chain rails used on the main deck
Railing Style 2 - Chain rails used on the upper decks
Railing Style 3 - Pipe rails used on the upper platforms
Bow Rails - Similar in style to railing style 1, these are curved to fit the upswept bows of Japanese cruisers and destroyers.

Railing styles 1, 2 and the bow rails all feature nicely dropped chains. 



INSTRUCTIONS

The instructions are printed on a one side of paper, detailing the different styles of rails included in the fret.  They are no longer in the classic "GMM Yellow", but otherwise unchanged.
CONCLUSIONS
Almost 30 years since it was first released, under the name "Extra Fine IJN Rails", this classic Gold Medal photo-etch set still stands the test of time.  It's very well done, and remains the "Gold standard" (pardon the pun) of IJN railings.  Highly recommended. 

This is Gold Medal Models 1/350 IJN Railings set GMM-350-48. It retails for $24.99, and is available from Squadron Hobbies, who I'd like to thank for this review sample.