Error in the 1/350 Trumpeter Nimitz...?

[CMdelRio]

Howdy folks, this is my 1st time posting anything here to your forum. I noticed a problem about the Trumpeter Nimitz, which I think significant, but I haven't heard anyone mention. Let me try to describe what's missing, and where it's located. It's a missile deck that is on the portside just forward of where the slanted "landing strip" ends. In real life it would be about 50 to 100ft. forward of where that "landing strip" deck-ends. Usually there's a CIWS mount on it, or now days it's got a RAM launcher. I thought I was crazy when I 1st started doing research, and maybe that it had not been yet built in '75. I was wrong, it's has always been there. It's funny because Trumpeter shows the Nimitz on the box, on the Starboard side, so you wouldn't notice it in the "artist's rendition" of the ship. As a former sailor, and being around these ships, I know that it's not just the Nimitz, but every single Nimitz class aircraft carrier includes this convieniently forgotten or "left out" missile deck. This is how the ship would protect itself from stbd side threats, how it was left out, I don't know, but it fustrating that I'll have to build from scratch after all the great reviews I've heard about it, but this was never mentioned....any comments? Thanks.

[Steve Hurrell]

This is not an error mate.

The kit Trumpy have released is an 'as commissioned 1975' version. I have a high angle port side view of the Nimitz on sea trials in '75 in one of my reference books and there is no port forard weapon sponson. This, I believe, was fitted during a refit in the '80s.

Stay safe

[Bill Code]

I was an airdale that work that deck back in her 1977-78 med cruise..She was still pretty much as built then..She had 3 missile sponsons for Nato sea sparrows BDMS. The kit is correct for Nimitz till her 1980 yard period when the sponson you are refering to was added and she recieved her CIWS mounts.. Now that platform high up on her radar mast behind the island wasnt there either till later..

[CMdelRio]

I stand corrected! Thanks guys. I appreciate your info-Now, I'll just have to figure out how to build the sponson from scratch.

[simon b]

By checking reference pics and trial and error !!!

[kevinb120]

I am sure there are quite a few errors that are subtle. I am having so much trouble simply researching the ship in ONE year snapshot in time I cant figure how a company could possibly get everything right on such a large subject I am planning on do some things I know are wrong in the case of personal choice, like the rear fender included in the PE set. I'm doing a 1980/Teamwork 80 (theoretical) fit-it matches the decal set comming form YMW, the PE sets, and what Trumpy aircraft sets have available perfectly with just about no scratchbuilding. I am obsessed with getting the aircraft 'right' but the fender looks SOOOO good I'm doing it anyway. I am pretty much going to 'wing it' based on other modeler's build-ups to make the hangar bay. Every pic you see anyway has cargo stacked to the ceiling blocking the 'view'. I have already noticed the sides of the island are not that perfect, you can't miss it when you try to put the '68' on the sides. I'm a decent modeler, but in no way shape or form a ship 'expert', but I am an information sponge so I quickly learn what I need to for the most part.

I would say the biggest single miss on the Trumpy Nimitz is the tilly crane(or lack thereof, not sure what the 'robot' they give you is supposed to be........) With the incredible popularity of this kit, Trumpy should come out with an equipment set with proper cranes, more/different tractors, forklifts, fire equipment, etc- just like the aircraft packs, especially if they plan to expand the kit for modern versions. Nuances I see coming missing from all the PE sets are some of the lighting on the sides of the island and attatchment points for the mast rigging to name a few.

But for the most part, seeing how hard it is to find enough info to 'get it right', how the heck will anyone know exactly how you actually 'got it wrong'??? A lot of people who serve on a ship that big don't get to see everything at once at one point in time Where can you find info covering EVERY award and marking on the island, EVERY radar config, EVERY aircraft on board, EVERY weapon system, EVERY paint scheme, EVERY piece of deck equipment, EVERY cargo config in the hangar for any ONE day in its existance???? Anyway, the fender looks soooo cool its going on mine, let the detail-nazis envy my.......stern

[Ray D. Bean]

I am sure there are quite a few errors that are subtle. I am having so much trouble simply researching the ship in ONE year snapshot in time I cant figure how a company could possibly get everything right on such a large subject I am planning on do some things I know are wrong in the case of personal choice, like the rear fender included in the PE set. I'm doing a 1980/Teamwork 80 (theoretical) fit-it matches the decal set comming form YMW, the PE sets, and what Trumpy aircraft sets have available perfectly with just about no scratchbuilding. I am obsessed with getting the aircraft 'right' but the fender looks SOOOO good I'm doing it anyway. I am pretty much going to 'wing it' based on other modeler's build-ups to make the hangar bay. Every pic you see anyway has cargo stacked to the ceiling blocking the 'view'. I have already noticed the sides of the island are not that perfect, you can't miss it when you try to put the '68' on the sides. I'm a decent modeler, but in no way shape or form a ship 'expert', but I am an information sponge so I quickly learn what I need to for the most part.

I would say the biggest single miss on the Trumpy Nimitz is the tilly crane(or lack thereof, not sure what the 'robot' they give you is supposed to be........) With the incredible popularity of this kit, Trumpy should come out with an equipment set with proper cranes, more/different tractors, forklifts, fire equipment, etc- just like the aircraft packs, especially if they plan to expand the kit for modern versions. Nuances I see coming missing from all the PE sets are some of the lighting on the sides of the island and attatchment points for the mast rigging to name a few.

But for the most part, seeing how hard it is to find enough info to 'get it right', how the heck will anyone know exactly how you actually 'got it wrong'??? A lot of people who serve on a ship that big don't get to see everything at once at one point in time Where can you find info covering EVERY award and marking on the island, EVERY radar config, EVERY aircraft on board, EVERY weapon system, EVERY paint scheme, EVERY piece of deck equipment, EVERY cargo config in the hangar for any ONE day in its existance???? Anyway, the fender looks soooo cool its going on mine, let the detail-nazis envy my.......stern

Hi, Ray in Canada here....you may wish to take a look at my Photo CD offering entitled NIMITZ CLASS CARRIERS, which covers CVN 68, 69, 73 and 74, the early and later years. These are photos from my huge collection of CVN files of close ups of the starboard side details, fantail and quarter view shots, plus the islands and masts of the CVNs. Its $19.95 USD includes shipping to Conus USA, email me at still mo@mts.net for details......

A second CD is in the works now to augment the first, the post refit (2001) rebuilt NIMITZ only, and will be available mid summer and will have 25 HANGAR BAY PHOTOS..... RDBean.