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Best Overall Modern U.S. Carrier Model


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I'm looking for a modern U.S. carrier model in the 1/350 to 1/720 scale range to be used as part of an a/c diorama I'm planning.

What's a nice quality model carrier (Fitment, clean details etc) that would make a good candidate for my diorama?

The a/c will be at the start of it's landing pattern/approach.

Although the Tamiya 1/350th scale USS Enterprise is a possibility, I think it might take away the focus of the main subject.

Are there any AM/PE goodies available for any of the carrier models?

Any and all opinions/suggestions/advice will be greatly appreciated 377.gif ! Thanks!

Here's a pic of the general idea of my diorama:

534743.jpg

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Many years ago I found this white metal carrier at a war gaming store. I have no idea if they still have something like this available anymore though.

Tanking_6.jpg

Wasn't cheap. (60$) if I remember right. But it was 20+ yrs ago, I was single with no kids.

Here's the overall effect.

Tanking_5.jpg

Wish I could provide you more details!

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

BTW_ Tomcat and Viking are 1/72nd scale.

Edited by SteveL
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Many years ago I found this white metal carrier at a war gaming store. I have no idea if they still have something like this available anymore though.

Tanking_6.jpg

Wasn't cheap. (60$) if I remember right. But it was 20+ yrs ago, I was single with no kids.

Here's the overall effect.

Tanking_5.jpg

Wish I could provide you more details!

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

BTW_ Tomcat and Viking are 1/72nd scale.

I'm sure it wasn't an accident; I like how you positioned your air refueling on the correct side (Port) of the carrier 70.gif .

Regarding carrier//a/c proportion:

I've seen pics of carriers looking small like in your diorama and I've seen pics where the a/c was roughly the same length as the carrier (From the camera's POV).

Since the a/c will be starting the landing pattern/approach, that would mean said a/c will have to be approx. 600AGL as it passes the carrier on the starboard side.

But I definitely agree with the carrier being smaller than the a/c if for nothing else, so said carrier won't confuse the observer as to what is the main focus of the diorama.

Which 1/700-1/720 scale carrier would be a good model?

I have the Italera 1/720 USS Roosevelt and was wondering how other kits compared to it.

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Here is one I did. I kept on adding good ideas from a simple one. Aircraft are 1/144 TU-22 (AMT) and F-14A (RoG). Ships are 1/1200 Nimitz (RoG) and 1/1250 Spruance (Hobbyboss). I had to scratch some of the little a/c as the Nimitz comes with modern. Added a helo to the Spruance as well. Fun little project.

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IMG_09561024x768.jpg

IMG_09661024x768.jpg

Edited by Chorse6
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So I'm not the only one with this idea... I just got the ROG 1:1200 Nimitz, and a Dragon 1:144 FA-18F double set. I want to do the F-18 as VFA-32, so other than decals/painting, would I have to change much on the Nimitz to change it to the Truman?

That's an ambiguous question.

Depending on how detailed-oriented you are, you would have to decide what time period you want to represent.

Since the Truman has been in the fleet since 1998, chances are great that the ship has probably undergone some upgrades.

Also; Since 1998 there have been several a/c that have been retired from fleet service: F-14, EA-6B, and the S-3. The Legacy Hornets are currently being replaced with the Super Hornets. Depending on the cruise, there will be a mix of Legacy Hornets and Super Hornets on the carrier.

The E-2C Hawkeye is currently being replaced with the brand new E-2D Super Hawkeye with it's 8 blade propeller vs the old 4 blade.

The EA-6B is currently being replaced with the EA-18G Growler, which is based on the Super Hornet airframe.

I'm sure air defense weapons on the carrier were updated/upgraded with either same weapons and/or different weapon system(s).

Awards and lettering displayed on the island may be added, changed etc.

Antennas and radar on and around the island may have been changed; added or subtracted.

These are just off the top of my head.

However; being that the scale is pretty small, I think it's safe to assume you can probably get away with not as much detail.

I hope this helps.

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I built the Trumpeter "Theodore Roosevelt" in 1:700 scale two years ago. I was VERY satisfied with the kit (you can see it here: http://www.modellmarine.de/index.php?option=com_content&id=2715:flugzeugtraeger-uss-theodore-roosevelt-trumpeter-1700-von-hajo-lippke).

A problem may be that it´s relatively expensive when compared with kits by Italeri or Revell, and (that´s why it´s not cheap) it has a lot of parts. You won´t end up with a quick build, even if you don´t try to make it very detailed as I did (I needed about 10 months for my "TR").

Anyway, if you want a really good carrier in 1:700, go with Trumpeter.

HAJO

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Since I tried to 'backdate' the Nimitz, I had to scratch/modify a couple of the a/c. The 1/1200 kit comes with F-18E/Fs, EA-6s, E-2s, and SH-60s. Not a full wing. I modified some to make the C-2, SH-3 and A-6. I also added some F-14 silhouettes in the hanger bays. I do need to go back and add the 'ramps' on the front of the cats for the cables.

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I built the Trumpeter "Theodore Roosevelt" in 1:700 scale two years ago. I was VERY satisfied with the kit (you can see it here: http://www.modellmar...von-hajo-lippke).

A problem may be that it´s relatively expensive when compared with kits by Italeri or Revell, and (that´s why it´s not cheap) it has a lot of parts. You won´t end up with a quick build, even if you don´t try to make it very detailed as I did (I needed about 10 months for my "TR").

Anyway, if you want a really good carrier in 1:700, go with Trumpeter.

HAJO

Thanks for sharing the link 70.gif !

What looks like an awesome kit that is probably OOP is the Pit-Road 1/700 USS Nimitz 2005.

What I really like about it is it comes with PE railings, radar etc. It makes a 1/700th scale look like a detailed 1/350th scale.

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  • 2 months later...

Just found this on the Model Shipwrights website:

Hot news from a press release that will make modern U.S. Navy modelers very happy. Text below is direct from that press release.USS Enterprise is distinguished by being the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Commissioned into the US Navy (USN) in 1961, CVN-65 was the longest naval vessel in the world at 342m. Until succeeding Nimitz-class carriers were introduced, it was the heaviest carrier in the world too at 94,781 tons. Actually, Enterprise was supposed to be the first of a new class of six carriers, but cost overruns meant she was the only vessel built. It remains in service and is scheduled for decommissioning in 2014/2015, meaning "Big E" will have served continuously for 51 years! In 1965, USS Enterprise was transferred to the Pacific Seventh Fleet and she became the first nuclear-powered vessel to enter combat when her aircraft flew against the Vietcong. In January 1969, an ammunition fire and explosion killed 27 sailors and the ship was sent to Pearl Harbor for repairs. It was intended the carrier return to Vietnam, but the North Korean shooting-down of an American aircraft over the East Japan Sea on April 14, 1969 induced the US to dispatch a task force named TF 71 to nearby waters. USS Enterprise was at the center of TF 71, and it became one of the largest shows of force since the Korean War had ended in 1953.

Cyber-Hobby has created a magnificent 1/700 scale plastic kit of "Big E" as she would have appeared in this 1969 timeframe. The kit stems from all new molds, including widespread use of slide molds to make the modeler's life that bit easier! The slide-molded island, for example, contributes to easy assembly. Details on the sides of the hull are beautifully replicated, and modelers can choose to produce a waterline hull or full hull. A comprehensive selection of photo-etched parts is available to add fine detail. On the flight deck there are many useful features as well. The elevators and jet blast deflectors are carefully reproduced, while there are :Newly tooled F-4 Phantom, A-6, A-7, E-2C, UH-2 and even vehicles. This was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and this fantastic kit from Cyber-Hobby will produce a powerful chain reaction from ship modelers around the world! Cyber-Hobby produced the nuclear-powered USS Long Beach (CGN-9) earlier, so now the two kits would make a perfect match!

AVAILABLE: May 2014

MSRP: $59.95

If it is a truly descent kit, it'll be a good excuse for a 1/48th scale F-4J build banana.gif !

I'll have a Phantom passing the Enterprise on the starboard side with its' tailhook down beginning a landing approach.

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