Calling all USS Enterprise CVN-65 fans

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:27 pm

Here are some photos of the superb and huge 1/72nd scale USS Enterprise CVN-65 model displayed at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The model depicts "Big E's" 1970s
appearance complete with "Beehive".

This is how the model appears in September, 2005.

To give you some idea of how huge this model is, the little boy whose head appears just beyond the F-14A on the
flightdeck near Cat #1 is my 4 year-old son, Joel.

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:26 pm

I thought I got the kit the other day, but it was another kit (1/550 Kiev). I will tell all about the planes when it arrives Tuesday. Along those lines, what does anyone thing of using 1/350 aircraft on a 1/400 carrier? From what I have read in the photo galleries, others have done it, and I didn't even notice. Is it a big difference? The only 1/400 aircraft available are the Arii sets, but in 1/350, there are tons of aircraft. Any opinions?

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:27 pm

What does anyone thing of using 1/350 aircraft on a 1/400 carrier? From what I have read in the photo galleries, others have done it, and I didn't even notice. Is it a big difference? The only 1/400 aircraft available are the Arii sets, but in 1/350, there are tons of aircraft. Any opinions?

Also - if anyone has pics of the Enterprise during the 1970s, please contact me. I am coming up low on references.

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:36 pm

So here are pics of the "new" aircraft:

A-6

F-14

Partial Aircraft sprue:

The final count on aircraft: 2xE2C, 2xSH3, 6xA6, 2xRA5C, 6xA7, 6xF14
Aircraft Decals:

Here is the whole decal sheet (It is copyrighted 2006):

I purchased the CVN-65 deck markings for the 70's from Starfighter Decals. Comparing the two decal sheets, the deck numbers are propotioned differently on the Revell sheet - shorter and fatter. The island numbers are narrower on the Revell sheet, and the foul lines are given as straight sections for the modeller to cut to shape around the deck areas. On the Starfighter decals, the elevator lines are precut. The aircraft decals on the Revell sheet are pretty good - better than I imagined. However after looking closely at them, all of the planes have the same number. I hear that Starfighter is working on an airwing set for CAW-14 for the mid-70s. So the kit looks good - much larger than I am used to. I look forward to the build.

PS- If anyone has good reference shots of the 70's Big-E, please contact me. We all know Detail & Scale is not to be found.

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:04 pm

Apparently I am one of three people reading this thread. I am desperate for help - if anyone is in possession of the fine book "USS ENTERPRISE IN DETAIL & SCALE", can you please PM me here? I have a couple of questions regarding this book and the photos within. Anyone who can help me will have my gratitude!

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:05 pm

Apparently I am one of three people reading this thread. I am desperate for help - if anyone is in possession of the fine book "USS ENTERPRISE IN DETAIL & SCALE", can you please PM me here? I have a couple of questions regarding this book and the photos within. Anyone who can help me will have my gratitude!

Tracy White · Post by **Tracy White** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:18 pm

I've got a copy; what do you want to know?

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:04 pm

OK - next question. Does anyone make a 1/350 or 1/400 accurate Sea Sparrow launcher or am I going to have to scratchbuild? Your input folks...

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:05 pm

OK - next question. Does anyone make a 1/350 or 1/400 accurate Sea Sparrow launcher or am I going to have to scratchbuild? Your input folks...

johndon · Post by **johndon** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:06 pm

jgrease wrote:Apparently I am one of three people reading this thread. I am desperate for help - if anyone is in possession of the fine book "USS ENTERPRISE IN DETAIL & SCALE", can you please PM me here? I have a couple of questions regarding this book and the photos within. Anyone who can help me will have my gratitude!

Just sold my copy unfortunately...

John

johndon · Post by **johndon** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:07 pm

jgrease wrote:OK - next question. Does anyone make a 1/350 or 1/400 accurate Sea Sparrow launcher or am I going to have to scratchbuild? Your input folks...

Not that I can find although it shouldn't be too difficult to scratchbuild.

John

cvfan · Post by **cvfan** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:04 am

I also have the Revell 1/400 Enterprise kit. I like it just fine but there's an area of detail that I cannot find reference to in any of the pics of the Detail and Scale book or in the text.

The area on both sides of the island support structure (below flight deck level) is different from how the model portrays it to how it looks now. The D&S book does have a few pictures that shows the early Enterprise this way so I take it that at the time of the model being tooled, this was correct.

That area now shows a lot more structure on either side of the island support, inbetween elevators 2 and 3.

Since the Revell kit has been kitted with an updated air group, depicting Enterprise's 1974-1975 cruise, is this area as shown on the model correct for that time period? When was that area built up on the real ship? I cannot find any information on that anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:34 am

That kit was made looong before the refit. Revell upgraded the aircraft, but obviously did nothing to the kit. At this point in the interest of building it, I am living with the ship as it stands with some fixing up to detail what is there. I am not a rivet counter, so the only things I will ultimately change are the Sea Sparrow launchers - the kit provided ones are horrendous, and I have opened up a couple of the hangar doors and built a basic interior.

PS- Another observation: the fit of the bow to the hull is horrible, as are most of the other parts.

cvfan · Post by **cvfan** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:28 pm

I guess I should looked at this thread more carefully!

Those wonderful pictures posted on the first page - 3rd picture - shows exactly what I needed to know! Sure, it's "just" a model (a 15 foot model in 1/72!!) but it's also at NASM. I'm pretty sure that not just any detailing will do. The under flight deck structures on either side of the island support structure are there, therefore, I will be adding those on the Revell kit. It appears to be a simple addition, just cut some sheet styrene to shape, etc. I'll investigate the D&S book for additional details.

cvfan · Post by **cvfan** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:19 pm

Heller is a big name in 1/400 ships, however, I am unable to determine any of their modern ship models have Sea Sparrows in 1/400.

You could probably grab a couple of donor 1/350 Sea Sparrows from another ship......

Or just build your own. I'll probably be doing that on my circa '75 Enterprise.

Charles Landrum · Post by **Charles Landrum** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:38 am

There is only one source for good Sea Sparrow launchers - Veteran Models. The launchers are beautiful and come in an accessory set (not inexpensive). You can order from Fleetnet in Japan.
http://www.fleetnet.jp/default.php Email:info@fleetnet.jp
Commander's Series Models used to carry them as well.

There is no less expensive route. The launchers on the DML Spruances are decidedly underscale.

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:07 pm

I had seen the Veteran Model stuff but I couldn't find any way to order them. I can only imagine the cost from Japan to here...

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:23 pm

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:31 pm

ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 7, 2007) - A group of distinguished visitors
observe flight operations aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS
Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise is currently underway conducting carrier
qualifications. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman
Brandon Morris (RELEASED)

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 4M-004.jpg

ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 6, 2007) - A landing signalman enlisted (LSE)
directs an SH-60F Seahawk, attached to the "Dragonslayers" of Helicopter
Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 11, to the landing area on the flight deck of
the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise
is underway conducting carrier qualifications. U.S Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Morris (RELEASED)

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 4M-001.jpg

ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 4, 2007) - An EA-6B Prowler, assigned to the
"Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, approaches the landing
area of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) with
German frigate FGS Sachsen (F219) in the background. Enterprise is
currently underway conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Milosz
Reterski (RELEASED)

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 2R-002.jpg

Norfolk, Va. (Nov. 18, 2006) � Sailors assigned to USS Enterprise (CVN
65) return to Naval Station Norfolk following operations in support of the
global war on terrorism. Enterprise Carrier Strike Group is comprised of
Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1), Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON-2),
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), guided-missile
cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul
(DDG 74), guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47), and fast combat
support ship USS Supply (T-AOE 6). U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist Seaman Ash Severe (RELEASED)

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 1S-048.jpg
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 1S-038.jpg
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 1S-052.jpg

Red Sea (Oct. 31, 2006) - Capt. Dan Cloyd, commanding officer of
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) looks
over to the Enterprise-class aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
during an on station turn over. Eisenhower is deployed in support of
Maritime Security Operations (MSO). U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew D. Leistikow (RELEASED)

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 0L-146.jpg
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 0L-105.jpg
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 9G-115.jpg
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 9G-101.jpg
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 9G-069.jpg

Arabian Sea (Sept. 25, 2006) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the
"Checkmates" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two One One (VFA-211),
prepares for an arrested landing on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise and embarked Carrier
Air Wing One (CVW-1) are currently on a scheduled deployment in support
of Maritime Security Operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S.
Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Noe Solis
(RELEASED)

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 9S-009.jpg

jgrease · Post by **jgrease** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:53 pm

Can anyone tell me if that yellow extension of the stripe from the deck is present on the stern of the 70's Big E? I'd love to know if I have to scratchbuild one in 1/400.

The Ship Model Forum

Calling all USS Enterprise CVN-65 fans

Aircraft question for 1/400 E

1/350 aircraft on 1/400 carrier.

Revell 1/400 Enterprise observations...

Revell 1/400 Enterprise

Sea Sparrow Launchers