Carrier Builders Yard, whats on the Slipway

[kidcurrie42]

Thanks Nektarios/gtb great to hear from you both as always, Hiya JG, USS Wasp is looking Awesome, you really have done wonders with that kit. I will post more pics of FDR tomorrow.

Happy Modeling

John

[kidcurrie42]

Still working away at it. Got the flight deck shape almost finished. Same with the Island, which is a combination of Trumpy platforms and a spare Dragon Island. Still have to finish up the hull blisters and start work on the bow. If I ever do this again, it will be with the Dragon kit. The Trumpy is far, far, too over engineered. Great detail, but putting it together is a huge pain in the @#$ Funny how their Battleships and Cruisers go together so well but their carriers are awful.

Hiya Avery,
I have given up with the Trumpy Hancock it is just not worth the time and effort.

Happy Modeling

John

[gtb -red]

Thinking of doing a 1/700 carrier or something.

[Jason M.]

Avery, do you have any pics of your Oriskany?? I'm dying to see some...

[Avery Boyer]

Yeah, I'll take some pics. Really not much to see right now, still working on the hull blisters.

[kidcurrie42]

Work Progresses on the island,











Happy Modeling

John

[jgrease]

John - Looking good! Keep the pics coming in!

[jgrease]

Three things - first, some WIP shots of my Revell Enterprise:

This is really my first kit in 1/700 with PE safety nets around the flight deck (what a hassle!) as well as a lot of railings and radars. I don't know how you guys that build a lot do it, but every piece of PE is another ulcer for me!

And second, has anyone gotten Dragon's USS Boxer kit yet? I'm dying to see what's in the box. It looks to have a lot of PE stuff. Someone post something!
Lastly, does anyone have Fujimi's Kitty Hawk kit? I am really on the fence about this kit and wanted to hear more about it. How does it compare to Italeri and Trumpeter carriers? Their planes look great, but I keep hearing mixed reviews of the ship itself. Anyone?

[gtb -red]

Great work John, Jgrease thats why I won't do 1/700.

[kidcurrie42]

Hi all,
Hey JG here is a look at the LPH-4 for you.















Here are my three sets of Starfighter decals that will enable me to build all three of the Essex LPH's, the kit decals are way short of what is required, i think that they realise now that others take the time to research and push out a better product.





Overall a great addition to the Essex family, also lots for the spares box, glad it was Dragon and not Trumpy who released it.

Ok JG, here is my opinion of the Fujimi USS Kitty Hawk/Constellation, Overall the shape is good for CV-63 and CV-64, after looking in the box it is apparent that this was going to be a difficult build in certain areas(kind of similar to Trumpy Essexes) maybe they designed it this way with the idea of releasing USS America and/or USS John F Kennedy from the moulds.
also the kit lacks certain things, like lifrafts, most if not all weapons and radars need replacing,
for the price at the time $70.00-80.00 was definetely not worth the price, can be found for around $45.00 so isnt too bad. Overall with a little work and a few extra parts including PE a good representation of USS Kitty Hawk and USS Constellation can be made, Maybe Nektarios will post a pic of the USS Kitty Hawk his freind made.

Hope this help JG,

Happy Modeling

John

[jgrease]

John, thanks for the info and the pics. I see a lot of PE - did they replace the plastic parts of the forward section at the hangar deck level with PE walls? How much longer before they just release a late-model Essex? Aaaaaahhhhh!

[kidcurrie42]

Hiya JG, Oh your CVAN-65 is looking great by the way, no they didnt replace those walls, there are some catwalks and supports, hopefully we will see the Hurricane bow/angled deck versions later this year, should be fun reshaping those bows. it will keep Mark at SF busy

Any chance that you could PM or email me some pics of your USS Wasp island, i am going to have a go at scratching one.

Happy Modeling

John

[jgrease]

Thanks John - as soon as I finish painting the island I'll email you pics. I started painting it the other day and had nothing but problems with my airbrush, so now the island looks very spotty.

[kidcurrie42]

Thanks JG, thats why i stopped using the airbrush and the fact that prpping and cleaning the airbrush took longer than the paint job. i also find it easier using a brush.

Hey gtb, i got the white metal parts prepped

Happy Modeling

John

[gtb -red]

John just show some pic's when your ready. (maybe Nektarios will get one.)

[kidcurrie42]

Hey JG, here is a couple of pics of Nektarios friends Fujimi USS Kitty Hawk,





Happy Modeling

John

[jgrease]

Good stuff - that looks like a great kit. I had seen the version with the metal lifeboat canisters on one of the Japanese internet shops, but it was sold out. I will have to look for one now...

[kidcurrie42]

Hi all,
Here is the latest with my FDR, a few detail parts to add, then decals, then complete the airwing, hopefully a couple of days left on the ship, then maybe 4-5 days on the aircraft.











Any ? or remarks as always are welcome

Happy Modeling

John

[jgrease]

John - 4 to 5 days for the aircraft? That's it? I was lucky to bang out 1-2 a day! How do you do it? By the way - the ship looks great! Please refresh my memory - is this one of the 1/800 Midway kits? If so, I am going to have to get one!

[kidcurrie42]

Hiya JG,
yes it is an ARII 1/800 USS Midway, i built Midway herself then had the urge to do the Coral Sea and i said to Nektarios that FDR was a no no and too much work involved, well after doing the other too the need to have all three was too much.
That is an estimate with the aircraft, but i am retired from the RN and living over here now, so if the Admiral hasnt any work, then my time is my own

Happy Modeling

John