Hello everyone. First post, wanted to show you my Independence I am working on. I am converting a Revell Saratoga into the Indy as it was when I served on her in 1988-1990. I was a CIWS technician (FC1), so the Saratoga having the CIWS mounts really attracted me to the kit. However, The entire rear port sponson and CIWS mount was completely incorrect for the Indy. Once I got started "fixing" the port aft CIWS enclosure, I realized there was a whole lot more fixing that needed to be done. Below are some pictures of my modifications so far. I have also added some PE 1/600 scale railings from Toms Modelworks. This really added a whole new level of detail to the kit.
So here are some picures. Be kind, I have been away from modeling for a LONG time. This is my second kit in about 15 years (the first is of my first model was the Midway, listed in the Gallery on this site).
This is the port aft sponsor that had to be extended to match that of the Indy.

Here is what I had to go by as far as how the sponson goes the entire length. It's weird that there are so few good clear port aft pictures of the Indy. This pictures was pre-CIWS, and there is another change to the sponson that you will see in a second.

Another view of the Sparrow launcher sponson.

This is where I worked while on the Indy. I was LPO of Mt. 22, the forward port mount. I wish I'd thought to put a quarter next to this assembly, because it is really small.

And this is the Port Aft CIWS Mount (Mount 24). This is what started all the dang rebuilding and railings and such because this went together so well. I am almost jealous that this wasn't the actual mount that I worked on while on the Indy, but oh well...

And this is what it actually looked like (except for the lack of CIWS and Sparrow). Note the "box" area on the sponsor that replaced the boat platform. I had to scratch build this, as you can see in the first picture.
So that's it for now. I hope I posted this in the right place. Suggestions, and critiques welcome.