There is a 30 minute in-box review of the Academy kit on YTube by MuseumModeler - one of the few ship fans on YT. He claims scale is excellent for 1/700 scale: under 5' every major dimension and under 1' for island. He claims hull shape very good - more "coke bottle" than Trumpie's Hornet, but lacking a little of the cut of the prow. He does point out that in July 42 there was work done to the E's pilot house, but that these changes are not reflected in the Academy, so it's fitted for Midway but not the summer in the Solomons. He gives no more details on what would be needed to make a Santa Cruz build except for the obvious plane swap.
I've got one now (Free Time is nice place in my experience), but bought it before the Trumpie 1/700 E was announced. I'm going to leave it sealed on the off-chance that the Trumpie is considered a better build. If any wise heads can put to some photos of the pilot house, or new AA that would be needed to make a Santa Cruz conversion I'd be obliged. Frankly, I'm really not sure what I'm looking for.
Eric
_________________ A model boat is much cheaper than a real one and will not sink with you in it.
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