Calling all USS Enterprise CVN-65 fans

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
JGrease,
Please share pics!
I found that old National Geographic in an antique store in La Mesa, CA one night while attending the annual OctoberFest back in 2005. All of the local stores stay open late during this 4 day festival. I paid $2 for it. There is an article on BigE and a subsequent article on, "The Nuclear Navy". I remembered this magazine from when I was a kid, but never thought I'd find it again. Small article, but a few good pics of BigE.
I can't remember where or when now, but I also found a publication from North American Aviation; bigger than a monthly newsletter, but not really a book. I'd say it is a magazine. Anyway, NA visits the BigE as their new attack a/c the A3J, (Vigilante), enters service. I have a few books on the Viggie, but that's an airplane! Some more pics of BigE in her earliest config.
PeterO,
We meet again!
Operation Sea Orbit is a great idea; one I've tossed that one around more than once. I'd probably do this three ship display when the crew was'nt standing in formation on the flight deck, but I'm sure someone would ask sooner or later..where's the E=MC2? Then I'd be explaining why I am so lazy....
1/700 Enterprise does not exist, unless you want to convert a 1/700 Fujimi Constellation. The good news is; the Fujimi Constellation/Kitty Hawk kits are rather plain,a nd adding detil is a whole lot easier than removing it and then replacing it. I do not ordinarlily recommend this king of kit bash;as these were two different ships. The hull length difference for BigE in 1/720 to 1/700 is 1/2". Can you live with that?
I built the 1/700 JAG Long Beach in her earliest config in the event I ever attempted an Operation Sea Orbit. The JAG Bainbridge kit will have to be back-dated too; which I don't have.
I do have 2/3 of these ships in 1/350 though! The ISW 1/350 Long Beach is taking up space in my closet; right next to the Enterprise...and a whole bunch of other ships! Time is a premium; building time is a gift!
I'm gonna share some pictures of CVAN-65 from 1961........the year I was born!

cool

cooler

major cool!

More to come!
Tony

[Cadman]

So Tony, would you say those images are cool.

[Peter O]

I just grabbed that National Geographic article off the CD set. The quality isn't the greatest, so I might look for a hardcopy. There's also the early 1965 article showing the 3-ship E=MC2 photo.

I'm not ambitious or skilled enough to undertake a Connie to Big E conversion, so the 1/720 RoG/Italeri kit is close enough for me. I found a set of Fujimi aircraft that should work. Of course, it's OOS, and probably OOP as well:
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/c ... m=FJM45108

RoG's website says there are 31 aircraft included, but it doesn't say what they are. It may be enough to do the version with fewer aircraft. I'm still brainstorming how to replicate the crewmen on deck... I'm really not motivated to buy a thousand PE figures, let alone paint them.

The second Enterprise pic is neat. I like the way the shadows on the beehive make the antenna arrays look almost helical rather than circular.

Peter

[jgrease]

Peter - the Revell aircraft are 11 A4s, 2 RA5s, 12 F4s, 2 A6s, and 2 E2s. My kit was the "Hunt for Red October" boxing, but I am assuming they should be the same or close to it. I highly recommend Fujimi's 1965 aircraft set no.37. I believe that Free Time Hobbies carries this set. You get 6 A1Hs, 2 RA5s, 6 F4Bs, and 4 F8s - I am using 2 boxes of the aircraft to replicate this photo:

I am also going to order the remaining E1s from Mark at Starfighter. I'm using his decal set for Big E from 1962. My only issue will be the A4s - the Revell ones are horrible when placed alongside the Fujimi planes. I will play that part by ear.

[jgrease]

Tony - here are the best images of Big E from the early 60s I have:

And a reverse view of the deck from the previous post:

Lastly:

I'll look for more on my end. Please share any info, although it is too late for my build. As I said earlier, I finished my ship, and I placed Sea Sparrow launchers even though they weren't installed that early. I am also missing the 3rd catapult overrun. Nonetheless, I am happy with the results. Again, I'll post pics when i have the air wing up and running.

[boats]

Well I just reported on board tonight and this is my first post, Navy-ret 24 yrs, Merchant Marines-ret 15 yrs. Since I sailed on The USS Enterprise CVN-65 for six years, though this to be a good place to join in. I built the model at sea of our ship after we left Bremerton Navy Yard which is where they took the old beehive off. The kit is an 1/350 Mongram kit in the long box, maybe some of you remember that kit, 1980 I think. My first was in 1970s, shore duty then back to the Prise or as we called her the E-Boat. I built the first model of her after her refueling and new island work, still have the model. Right now she needs yard work as its been in layup for about 10 years. Have all my cruse books handy and some good photos. I was a Boatswain Mate in the Navy and a Bos'n in the Merchants. Now a lighthouse keeper to a 26 foot lighthouse I built, (Eternal Sea Point Memorial Lighthouse) built for all shipmates lost at sea. Now building another lighthouse, 35 foot in the shop for (911) (Freedom Point Memorial Lighthouse) she will roll out at over two & half tons when done. If there is a form for lighthouses I can post more info on my lighthouses. "Boats"..

[Peter O]

Are there any railing sets for the 1/400 Revell Big E? I see GMM has a generic 1/400 railing set, but is there anything more specific?

Thanks!

Peter

[Aidan]

GMM and WEM do generic railing sets in 1/400 but for your specific model they dont have a dedicated set, it might be worth checking out some of the other P/E companies such as Tom's Modelworks, Eduard, L'Aresenal, Lionroar etc, they might have something, also have a look in the Calling All Ship Fans section, perhaps someone might know of a set that is available, other than that, I dont really know.

[SMBC]

Can someone please point me in the right direction on what flags would be flying during flight operations, I want to place as many flags on the ship as possible (just for looks) but I would like to stay within every possible flag that would be hoisted during flight ops and just being underway. (you can tell i was a snipe huh?) Thanks in advance

[Mark McKinnis]

Well, being an aviator I would be remiss by trying to describe the flags. However, they are generally more for the ship drivers than sinaling flight ops. If no one on the forum can get you details, I would recomend calling your local navy recruiting office and ask them if they have a signalman in the command or know one that might get you the info you are looking for. Signalman is the enlisted rate that manages and hoist the flags to signal other ships and they would be able to get you hooked up.

Good Luck!

Mark

[Guest]

During flight ops with non-helicopter aircraft, an aicraft carrier would have the 'Foxtrot' flag which is a white flag with a big red diamond shape hoisted indicating that is on 'Foxtrot Corpen'. that is, on course and speed for launching or recovering aircraft. The ship may also hoist the dayshapes 'ball-diamond-ball' on an outboard yardarm indicating that the carrier is restricted in its ability to maneuver while it is on 'Foxtrot Corpen'.

[TWoyma]

If no one on the forum can get you details, I would recomend calling your local navy recruiting office and ask them if they have a signalman in the command or know one that might get you the info you are looking for. Signalman is the enlisted rate that manages and hoist the flags to signal other ships and they would be able to get you hooked up.

If you go this route, ask if they have any Quartermasters. Signalmen merged into that rate a few years ago.

[ScottOram]

Try these:

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=273

OK.. Here goes:

Underway during Flight Operations the FOXTROT or HOTEL pennents flight from the Port Yardarm Lanyard (OUtboard). Three Black "Balls" flight from the Starboard Yardyard Lanyard (Outboard). The National Ensign and the Admirals Flag (if embarked) From the Aft Mainmast Yardarm. See below:

Once the Ship enters the breakwater or channel the Ship's Call sign is flown from the Port yardarm (center) NOVEMBER, . A variety of pennets are flown from the Starboard Yard Arm (Outboard, Center, and Inboard) signifying the presence of the Commanding Officer, Flag Officers, Battlegroup Commander, Awards (MUC, NUC, JSUC, Safety, etc.)

Once the first line ashore is thrown, the colors are struck from the mainmast and the the National Ensign is flown from the Flag Staff (Aft end of the Flight Neck) and The Navy Jack (Dont Tread on Me)is flow from the Jack Staff (Front edge of Flight Deck), Prior to 2001 the Union Jack (Blue Field with 50 Stars) was flown. Hence the term, Shift Colors.

[gtb -red]

Building a 1964 CVAN BigE from scratch. Any old photos of her anyone wish to share? Went to Navsource and wasn't what I was looking for. I guess the Navy kept a close eye on her when she was younger.Will be posting her on another thread.

[gtb -red]

Hey jgrease,still motionmodels did a super full hull 1/350. http://www.motionmodels.com/ships/cv/cvn65-h2.jpg

[EJM]

Just started my USS Enterprise this past Saturday:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ ... C01326.jpg

Well.........sorta. I don't plan to build it AS the Enterprise, but rather an entirely new fictional carrier instead which will have "some" stealth-like features to it. Anyway, here's some questions I've got:

1. I'm planning to build the carrier as if it's "brand new" (Recently launched/commissioned) so to speak meaning that the flight deck wouldn't have a lot of wear and tear yet from flight operations and so forth. So there wouldn't be a lot of noticeable marks, scuffs, faded areas, etc. What is the overall color I would paint the flight deck? I know it's probably a dark gray, right? What would be the equivalent colors for these brands:
Tamiya = ?
Testor Model Master Marine = ?

2. What are some good sites/companies for modern 1/350 deck vehicles, aircraft ordinance, and weapons such as CIWS, RAM, Sparrow launchers?

[gtb -red]

Just started my USS Enterprise this past Saturday:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ ... C01326.jpg

Well.........sorta. I don't plan to build it AS the Enterprise, but rather an entirely new fictional carrier instead which will have "some" stealth-like features to it. Anyway, here's some questions I've got:

1. I'm planning to build the carrier as if it's "brand new" (Recently launched/commissioned) so to speak meaning that the flight deck wouldn't have a lot of wear and tear yet from flight operations and so forth. So there wouldn't be a lot of noticeable marks, scuffs, faded areas, etc. What is the overall color I would paint the flight deck? I know it's probably a dark gray, right? What would be the equivalent colors for these brands:
Tamiya = ?
Testor Model Master Marine = ?

2. What are some good sites/companies for modern 1/350 deck vehicles, aircraft ordinance, and weapons such as CIWS, RAM, Sparrow launchers?

Could be CVN 80 EJM. Happy Modeling! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image;USS_ ... ._Ford.jpg

[gtb -red]

EJM sorry about that. Here's what I want to show you BigE in 2015. (maybe) http://www.naval-technology.com/project ... n-211.html http://www.naval-technology.com/project ... n-212.html http://www.naval-technology.com/project ... n-213.html

[EJM]

I've been thinking about the following two spray paints to possibly use for painting the flight deck. Anybody have any opinions they can share on if they'd be good and how well they'd work:

Either TS-4 German Gray
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=85004

Or.......

TS-82 Black Rubber
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=85082

Both of these colors should be dark enough for a flight deck, right? Or should I use something else?

[raser13]

hey guys, i usually hang out on the essex section of this board but i've got a question that is better suited to you guys. i usually model sci- fi models, imparticularly star trek models. now i know that we're normally looked down in the normal modeling world,but please here me out. i'm working on doing up all the ships named Enterprise, and this yes would include the fictional starships but i'm starting off with the oldest and working my way forward. so far i've started on a wooden sail model of the HMS Enterprize. now i'm seting my sites on the cv-6 and the cvn-65. in my research i've found out that the cvn-65 is the only ship in her class(now that's bragging rights) and models of her are a little pricey. while i can find the nemmits class ships pretty reasonable. now for my question. was there really many outside physical differances from the big e and the proceeding nemitz class or were most of the changes internal?? really i'm wondering how hard would it be to chang a nemitz into an enterprise?? thanks for any info that you can give me.