1/72 scale USS Enterprise

[craig175]

Hi Everyone I have been on and off this forum for a while now but I thought I would post some pictures of my ship, its been going for 8 years ( I dont get a lot of time on it) but it is operational now and I can start getting into some of the details like hangars and working lifts.

Anyway here are some pics

Cheers

[Richard J OMalley]

More please .

[Capit�o Norbert]

WOW. really a big monster..
as said Richard we are waiting for more pics

[Leonidas]

Simply AWESOME!

[craig175]

Hi Guys, glad you like the ship. I made some mistakes in the construction which meant some parts didnt stand up to the wear and tear of operational use so its just come back out of a refit, for a better word. but I will detail that later.

Here are some more pics of her underway.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the model or construction

Cheers

[Haanaya]

Hi,

Amazing model, two questions, how much does it weigh, and how do you find it for handling? what sort of turn circle and stopping distances are you getting?

Thanks!

[Neptune]

Great job.

Can we have some pics of the inside as well? And what are you using for motors and ballast?

[jcmackay]

Hi Craig,

I want to second the comments of Neptune, Norberto, Richard, and Haanaya - beautiful ship!

But please give us some more details, such as if you built the hull yourself or bought it, etc.

More! More!

John

[desron48]

great build......is it plank on frame....fiberglass hull??

joe

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Craig How are you good to see you posting again on MW . When are you going to get that airwing on the deck awesome build with or without the airwing , keep posting
Here is a picture for you from Bill Clarke of the Big E approching Norfolk for her 50th, Nov 2011 .

Dave Wooley

[craig175]

Hi Guys thanks for the comments:
To answer some of your questions, I built the hull. Its plank on frame with a fibreglass coating outside and a resin seal inside. she weighs in at about 100Kg dry and 300Kg with Ballast.

The ballast consist of 10 X 30 A/H batteries and the four motors were designed for Wheel chairs and Golf carts, they pull about 4 amps each when she is running. Maximum real speed at the moment is 5.5 knots.

There is also small footprint 64Bit computer onboard to provide storage for the cameras when mounted, the GPS, Wireless link and sound effects.
Normally the computer is stowed in the forward section but there is a pic of my cat dosing where the PC normally lives.

The following pics give you a look at the construct and a little of the interior, I will try and take some more interior shots in the next week or two to post up.

The Frames al lined up

Planking Completed

sanding the fibreglass for painting

Looking Inside

The bow and forward flight deck

Starboard showing sponson construction using plastic sheet

Motors

Engine Test

Computer Room

More Wiring and showing framework for flight deck

Sorry for getting carried away with the photos, I will stop for now

Cheers

[craig175]

Thanks for the comment and the pic Dave.

I am slowly working on the airing, there a couple of tomcats and F18's ready and a COD on the way, with some Tow Mo's almost ready as well

Cheers

Craig

[boatman]

HI Craig your model looks wonderfull an i like the rest of the guys would love a look inside her if poss an i know a little about what it took to build her as i have just finished building my USS NIMITZ scratchbuild an she took me 6yrs as i have fitted several working features in her. But my model is small compared to yours as she is only 1/144sem scale but still nr 9ft long ( pic of her below sailing with her airwing on hope you dont mind me posting a pic of her on your build thread)

anyway i will be following your thread avidly
chris

[boatman]

Sorry for getting carried away with the photos, I will stop for now

Cheers
(craig quote)

Well as far as im concerned Craig lets have more build pics of her as a model of this size is fairly rare so more pics please an could you tell me what them holes are for in between the front bridel catches as ive seen them on the real ship ?
chris

[craig175]

Thanks for the comments Chris, love the Nimitz, hopefully mine will eventually look a bit like that when the air group is finished.

As for the holes in the front I always assumed that they were port holes and open to the outside with the hatches in front.
However I recently discovered this photo of Enterprise which indicates they have glass as well. I am guessing but I would think the hatches may be for protection in heavy seas.

A navy person is probably best to answer that

Cheers
Craig

[Admhawk]

Awesome model!!

The portholes in front are for the forward conning room used in emergencies.

[rtwpsom2]

Those 5 portholes are about all that remain of CVN-65's namesake CV-6. They were removed from her conning tower during her scrapping and subsequently installed on CVN-65 as a memorial.

[boatman]

Many thanks for your answer's to my questions guys an here 's another can anyone tell me why the front set of rudders on BIG E are set at an angle is it to do with the rudder missing the hull as it moves back an forth ?
chris

[Richard J OMalley]

Thanks for showing the construction photo's .Amazing work !

[Capit�o Norbert]

Hi Craig wonderfull pictures i like the pic in the swimming pool really fantastic
and the pics of building steps.
please post more
p.s. December 1 is the last day USS Enterprise serving USA Navy after 51 years of service.