This is my build of Italeri CV-63.The ship is currently homeported in Yokosuka Japan and it is the U.S. Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. In 1998 it replaced CV-62 as the forward deployed U.S. carrier in Yokosuka and will retire in 2008.
CV-63 having JMSDF ships as its escorts.The escort ships are DDH-143, DDG-171, DDG-174 three MSCs and two subs.
CV-63 beeing escorted by CG-62, CG-63, DDG-63, DDG-82, DD-975, DD-985 and 2 Los Angeles class SSNs.
CV-63 photographed back in 2002 stiil having F-14s.
The Italeri kit represents the ship in its early 80's appearence so I had to modernise it. The toughest part was modernising the island which took most of my "modernising" effort.
Around 50 extra parts such as radomes, electronics, antennas etc. had to be added to the Island alone.
Another 50 had to be added to the rest of the ship bringing the total to 100 extra parts used.
CV-63 with F/A-18E/Fs. Its escort is DDG-89. I added a Chinook helicopter as a visiting aircraft.
What really saved the day in a moderate model such as this was the very good Pitroad aircraft and their decals plus the Jag decal sheet.This helped me create a decent representation of the ship.
I created this model before the Fujimi CV-63 was released. If you have to choose the Fujimi kit is the better kit. It still needs a lot of work but it is a much better starting point than the Italeri one.
I hope you like the photos of my CV-63 build. Your comments positive or negative are very wellcome.