Calling all Charles de Gaulle (R91) CVN fans

[MAJOR-B]

Good day,
I know Heller has made this kit for number of years. As with all Heller kits they have the opportunity to be improved. I have a couple of questions about this ship.
1. Does any one make a decal set for this ship any more ?
2. La Arsenal has the aftermarket supplies but what PE set could be used to replace the Catwalks.
3. Island looks like it needs to be updated does anyone have a good photo of domes etc.
Thanks
Major-B

[MAJOR-B]

Post 2006

[MAJOR-B]

Good day,
finally got a reply for the very busy folks at L'ARSENEL 2.0 they quote "The Heller kit represents the carrier as designed in the mid.80's but not as operational. The model has several issues such as the angled flight deck that is too short, fantail has not the correct shape, and some catwalks are either misplaced or wrong in shape. Plus the fact that the air group is so crude that you can use it as a toy ! There is no dedicated upgrade set for the Charles De Gaulle, we have a long time project for it, but at the moment our plate is full with other models to release "
So here are my question:
1. Do you remove the stern and scratch build a new Stern? If so are their any good photos.
2. How much needs to be added to the angle deck?
3. Other than railings and ladders/stairs/doors for PE could be used to fix the catwalks?
Thanks

[MAJOR-B]

Yes I have the Heller kit. I was able to pick it up from Free time Hobbies. E-bay was to high.

[MartinJQuinn]

Can anyone point me to good references for CDG? I took on a commission of the 1/350 GAGA kit, and want to start reading up on her.

TIA

[Mr. Church]

Apologies Martin I have only seen this message now.

Tous les porte-a�ronefs en France de 1912 � nos jours.

This covers all French aircraft carriers and has a good few external photos and detailed information on CDG's air wing. It also has a useful silhouette drawing of her island superstructure identifying all the radars and satcom domes etc. It is all in French mind you, but the images speak for themselves really.

https://www.avions-bateaux.com/produit/ ... monde/4396

Le Charles De Gaulle En Action

This shows her operations in detail but does not have a huge number of external photos useful for modelling. Does have several closeups of her air wing and weathering details to her deck etc. Many photos are of her interiors though and of no use really for modelling. And again it is all in French.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charles-Gaulle ... 2357431326

[Mr. Church]

Plenty of decent resolution exterior photos on Seaforces.org's page on her too:

https://www.seaforces.org/marint/French ... Gaulle.htm

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks Mr Church - much appreciated!

[carrierdeck]

The angled deck had to be lengtened, because.........
they ( the french off course .. )found out they had miscalculated
the length they needed for launching the Grumman Hawkeye .......
gtreetz chris