CVN-70 USS Carl Vinson circa 2001!

[EX_Birdgunner]

Alright!! I am starting my first ship (the one I did as a teenager doesn't count) and it is an aircraft carrier to boot.

I will be doing the USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 from her 2001 cruise as she was one of the carriers that began combat operations after the tragic events of Sept 11th 2001. CVN-65 Enterprise was the only other that I could learn and will be doing that one at a later date.

I will be using the Revell 1:720 kit. I know this is a deflated way to start a WIP but I am finishing up some research and was hoping the more experienced here could let me know if there is anything special that I need to do with the kit in order to build the Vinson of 2001. I have some Trumpy aircraft coming to me in the mail and plan to use the kit a/c for the hanger bay I will be scratching. Any advice is appreciated. Here is a pic of the box to wet your appetites!

TTFN,
Denis

[Koppalakki]

Nice to see someone with a messy workbench aswell

Godspeed with the build!

[EX_Birdgunner]

Nice to see someone with a messy workbench aswell

Godspeed with the build!

Ha Ha, Ya! I usually clean up between projects but I never seem to have that luxury lately.

I am about to crack plastic on this one. From what I have seen online I think I can get away with a mostly OOB build. Does anyone know of any major modifications that I will need to do, other than the hanger deck of course?

I saw a PE set by GMM, should I get it? Or save my money for the Trumpy kit waiting on the side?

Finally Iwant to show the Vinson launching aircraft but can't find any good wide shots online. Doeas anyone have a pic of what it would look like?

Thanks,

Denis

[Guest]

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=u ... yQHm84HwAQ

[EX_Birdgunner]

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=uss%20carl%20vinson%20launching%20aircraft&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bpcl=35466521&biw=1280&bih=885&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=UKSFUKj8OeeTyQHm84HwAQ

Ya I did the same search. This was mostly giving me close-ups of aircraft launching from the carrier. I was looking for something that included the entire ship in one shot with various aircraft in the middle of launching for combat operations.

Since this is going to mostly impact the air wing phase of the build I'll keep searching and press on.

Denis

[Cliffy B]

Try Defense Imagery and Navy Newsstand as well as this site: http://naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdonc ... /Query.php

On the last sight you'll have to copy and paste the high-res shots into Paint or some other graphic program in order to save them; the normal way jsut doesn't work for some reason.

[DWD]

I actually used this same kit for a build I did for a co-worker that served aboard her from 1986 to 1988. I guess the modifications depend on how far you want to go with your build. The kit is of course is not near as detailed as the trumpeter kits are but it can still be made into a nice model. I actually used the 1/720 GMM photo etch along with trumpeter and pitroad aircraft. I have included a photo. I did mine to represent her in 1988. I have submitted my build for the completed section, so it should be posted soon I hope. I made quite a few modifications to mine. Complete with hangar deck, well worth it though.

[DWD]

Sorry, submitted before adding photo. . . . . . .

[DWD]

Here's a bow shot.

[DWD]

And another cat ready on the cat!! Hope these help you decide.

[DWD]

I hope these help and are not intrusive on your thread for your build.

[EX_Birdgunner]

sorry for the lack of updates folks. Like I said I am finishing up a couple of aircraft builds which have been halted due to work, family and a back injury. I hope to get to it soon though. Thanks everyone for your help so far. Really appreciated.

Try Defense Imagery and Navy Newsstand as well as this site: http://naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdonc ... /Query.php

On the last sight you'll have to copy and paste the high-res shots into Paint or some other graphic program in order to save them; the normal way jsut doesn't work for some reason.

Thanks for the links Cliffy. He defense imagery site had some great pics from the specific time period I am trying to do.

I actually used this same kit for a build I did for a co-worker that served aboard her from 1986 to 1988. I guess the modifications depend on how far you want to go with your build. The kit is of course is not near as detailed as the trumpeter kits are but it can still be made into a nice model. I actually used the 1/720 GMM photo etch along with trumpeter and pitroad aircraft. I have included a photo. I did mine to represent her in 1988. I have submitted my build for the completed section, so it should be posted soon I hope. I made quite a few modifications to mine. Complete with hangar deck, well worth it though.

Not intrusive at all DWD. Your build looks awesome! Definately an inspiration and the open canopy on the one Tomcat is insane. I would love to know how you did that on such a small plane. Your base looks great as well.

Denis

[DWD]

Not intrusive at all DWD. Your build looks awesome! Definately an inspiration and the open canopy on the one Tomcat is insane. I would love to know how you did that on such a small plane. Your base looks great as well.

Denis[/quote]

The tomcat with the open canopy is from Pitroad, you may be able to get the same result using Trumpeter aircraft, the difference is Pitroad uses regular gray plastic for their molds and trumpeter uses clear plastic for theirs. It seems the clear plastic can be a bit more brittle and you stand the chance of destroying the aircraft in the process of removing the canopy and hollowing out the cockpit, but it can be done. Anyway the process; I used a thin plastic clear sheet called "thermalform" that you can obtain through squadron.com or evergreen scale models, you will also need a donor tomcat (I will explain why "donor" in a second). The donor aircraft is placed in a vise or clamp with the forward part of the fuselage exposed. The clamp that I use has rubber on it so its a little more gentle on the pieces I am clamping. Like I said, it may end up being a "donor" because chances are you won't be able to use it for your model afterwards. But used in this fasion, you could use it to make as many canopies as you need for future builds as well. Anyway, once your aircraft is in the vice, take a big enough piece of the clear "thermalform" plastic and heat it. I usually use a candle. You will also want to leave enough room on each side of the clear plastic so you can hold it while you heat the center of it. Once it has been heated sufficiently; and you will know when the plastic begins to sag or droop that it is heated, you then place the plastic over the canopy of the donor aircraft and while still holding it, make sure it completely covers the canopy you will be copying and pull the plastic down over the canopy. This is called "plunging". Hold the plastic in place for a few seconds and let it cool. Once it's cool you can remove it and you will see the canopy shape left in your piece. At this point you will have to take some sharp scissors or a hobby blade and cut the canopy out. It may take a few trys and patience before your successful. You will then need to remove the canopy and hollow out the cockpit on your display aircraft. Painting is straight forward, just tiny. I actually used tiny bits and pieces of plastic to make the interior of the tomcat too. Ejector seats and hood. I attached the pieces with small amout of CA or superglue. I actually have my completed build posted to the completed builds section if you wanted to see anymore of it. There are a few other aircraft with open canopies and cockpits. Hope this helps. Can't wait to see your build.

[EX_Birdgunner]

Finally an update!!

I got the Island done along with the life raft cannisters. Also, I got the sponsons on the hull. There were a few gaps there that I filled with CA glue. I then started working on some of the airwing with kits from Trumpeter, man those things are small and hard to assemble but look like they are worth it.

On to the pictures!

Here it looks like I screwed up the placement of the CWIS sponson and I am not sure if I will be able to correct that. It is really stuck in place so I might leave it and chalk that up as a lesson learned.



The ship with the island and deck dry fitted:





Close ups of the island:





The stern:



Here is some of the airwing. I have tried two methods. The aircraft still on the sprues I painted with the airbrush and will assemble them later. The two lose Tomcats I assembled first then hand painted. Still deciding which method to go with and I will see after I assemble the pre-painted planes.







For fun a quick comparison with the kit Tomcat:



After these pics were taken I closed up the stern and sanded smooth that nasty seam on the front of the Island but alas my camera batteries died so I can't show that.

That's all for now but I hope to keep this momentum going and get more done before the Superbowl!

Happy Modelling,

Denis

[DWD]

Lookin good. You gonna add a hangar deck on this one? I will be following your progress. I think there is small set of stairs that lead from the deck walkway down to the aft port CIWS sponson so if you are going to use photo etch you should be able to fix it pretty easy. I've got a photo of it if you need me to send it to you.

Doug

[EX_Birdgunner]

Lookin good. You gonna add a hangar deck on this one? I will be following your progress. I think there is small set of stairs that lead from the deck walkway down to the aft port CIWS sponson so if you are going to use photo etch you should be able to fix it pretty easy. I've got a photo of it if you need me to send it to you.

Doug

Thanks Doug,

I do plan to put in a hangar deck using the Trumpy kit as a guide. I'll use most of the kit planes to fill it up. I was not really planning on using PE since I am on a budget but I might get the GMM set anyway. As for the CWIS sponson, my OCD took over and I ripped it off along with the Sea Sparrow sponson. Now I just have to sand and re-do it.

Yes please do send the photo you have via PM. Your CVN-70 build is where I saw my error and it has been an inspiration.

Cheers,

Denis

[Caleb Gilmore]

I was on board in 01 and took plenty of pics if you'd like to see them. Stephandcaleb@gmail.com

[EX_Birdgunner]

I was on board in 01 and took plenty of pics if you'd like to see them. Stephandcaleb@gmail.com

Thanks for the offer Caleb. Email sent your way!

Denis