Calling all Nimitz-class CVN fans
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NYVet9296
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2020 5:14 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Hi everyone, I'm starting my 1/350 build of Theodore Roosevelt from early/mid 90's while I served onboard. Does anyone have any photos of the hangerbay from that time period? Since GMM has discontinued the upgrade decals for the Nimitz class carriers, does someone know where i can score pdf's of the originals or any other decal sets to help me in my build?
Thanks
Thanks
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Lethal215
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:25 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Skimming NARA and found 9 pages with 20 pics per on Nimitz being built at NNSY.
https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=CVA(N)%20Nimitz
Very old school build, pics in black and white. Not sure if at some point during build process she was moved to a different drydock. She's really jammed in as the build progresses from 1968 to 1972. Sponsons and flightdeck beyond the hull were attached after the fine hull of the ship, it seems. I'm not a builder, but was an operator; flew in CVW-9 when she went around the world 97-98 and into RCOH. Shipyard doesn't look anything like it does today. Curious if anyone worked on her during construction?
With the life span of these ships, it's no surprise they've gotten a little heavy. I remember a NPS theses that discussed this. Surprised to see it online:
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA508879.pdf
https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=CVA(N)%20Nimitz
Very old school build, pics in black and white. Not sure if at some point during build process she was moved to a different drydock. She's really jammed in as the build progresses from 1968 to 1972. Sponsons and flightdeck beyond the hull were attached after the fine hull of the ship, it seems. I'm not a builder, but was an operator; flew in CVW-9 when she went around the world 97-98 and into RCOH. Shipyard doesn't look anything like it does today. Curious if anyone worked on her during construction?
With the life span of these ships, it's no surprise they've gotten a little heavy. I remember a NPS theses that discussed this. Surprised to see it online:
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA508879.pdf
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arg
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:49 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
I have a very basic question regarding the Nimitz-class CVNs: What would be good colors for the hull/island, and the flight deck? I'll be starting the 1/720 Italeri CVN-71 Theodore Roosevelt in the near future, and I'd like to start prepping with the proper paints. Thanks! I ordered the Starfighter Decals CVN decals, and the Gold Medal Models photoetch.
- Mark McKinnis
- Posts: 1612
- Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:30 pm
- Location: Cape Canaveral Florida
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Hello,
For modern (post WWII) USN Ships, I use light ghost gray for vertical surfaces and gunship gray for the decks. If you can find haze gray, that is the correct color but light ghost gray is almost identical in that scale and easier for me to get.
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
Good luck,
Mark
For modern (post WWII) USN Ships, I use light ghost gray for vertical surfaces and gunship gray for the decks. If you can find haze gray, that is the correct color but light ghost gray is almost identical in that scale and easier for me to get.
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
Good luck,
Mark
- maccrage
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:54 pm
- Location: Milwaukie, OR
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
I'm in the same boat.NYVet9296 wrote:Hi everyone, I'm starting my 1/350 build of Theodore Roosevelt from early/mid 90's while I served onboard. Does anyone have any photos of the hangerbay from that time period? Since GMM has discontinued the upgrade decals for the Nimitz class carriers, does someone know where i can score pdf's of the originals or any other decal sets to help me in my build?
Thanks
However, I'm doing Vinson.
- Timmy C
- Posts: 12446
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:00 pm
- Location: Ottawa, Canada
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Paints for modern USN ships are here in the Camo and Coatings section: viewtopic.php?f=69&t=104955
The third post has what you need - note they're matches for 1:1 scale, so you might want something lighter for "scale effect" if you ascribe to that.
The third post has what you need - note they're matches for 1:1 scale, so you might want something lighter for "scale effect" if you ascribe to that.
De quoi s'agit-il?
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arg
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:49 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Mark McKinnis wrote:Hello,
For modern (post WWII) USN Ships, I use light ghost gray for vertical surfaces and gunship gray for the decks. If you can find haze gray, that is the correct color but light ghost gray is almost identical in that scale and easier for me to get.
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
Good luck,
Mark
That sounds good - I picked up both those colors (Light Ghost Gray and Gunship Gray) at my hobby shop today!
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arg
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:49 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
I've startied in on the 1/720 Italeri Theodore Roosevelt build. I've clumsily searched a little on Shapeways, but was still wondering: Does anyone (on Shapeways or elsewhere) make 1/720 (or even 1/700 if that will work) Phalanx CIWS and the dual 4-round containers of Sea Sparrow launchers? I'd like to improve on the lumps of plastic provided in the kit without having to do a ton of scratchbuilding.
- gjholmes77
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2015 12:11 pm
- Location: Niceville, FL
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arg
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:49 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Thanks - I will look into that!
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El Santo
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2018 9:37 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
This wouldn't matter much when building a model, but I'm curious, and this community seems like the best bet to have someone with the knowledge that I seek. Do the Nimitz-class carriers and their older, fossil-fueled cousins carry reloads for their Sea Sparrows (or their ESSMs nowadays), or do the rounds in the launchers themselves comprise the complete arsenal?
- gjholmes77
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2015 12:11 pm
- Location: Niceville, FL
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Here is a picture from CVN-71; reloading the Sea Sparrow underway.
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El Santo
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2018 9:37 pm
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
That's interesting to see, but I'm not sure it answers the question by itself. Are there any clues in the picture to indicate that those reload rounds came from the carrier's own magazines, rather than from an underway replenishment ship attached to the Roosevelt battle group?gjholmes77 wrote:Here is a picture from CVN-71; reloading the Sea Sparrow underway.
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sctbrd
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:18 am
- Location: Czech Republic
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Youtube has a video with Bill Clintons visit, there are some bay shots, especially toward the end.NYVet9296 wrote:Hi everyone, I'm starting my 1/350 build of Theodore Roosevelt from early/mid 90's while I served onboard. Does anyone have any photos of the hangerbay from that time period? Since GMM has discontinued the upgrade decals for the Nimitz class carriers, does someone know where i can score pdf's of the originals or any other decal sets to help me in my build?
Thanks
https://youtu.be/n6wIiy8egKU
I remember they stored the Marine Corps helicopters in the aft bay, since the chow line sometimes went up there.
Also the American flag on the port side opposite the elevator door, and the big script "TR" above the museum entrance.
RE-division 92-94
1987-1996 Nuke EM, CGN-40, CVN-71


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sctbrd
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:18 am
- Location: Czech Republic
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Yes they have a small "museum" on the starboard side aft of the main hangar Bay. Its small, great for visitors.
https://eliseprudhomme.com/rough-riding ... udhomme-4/
https://cvn71.files.wordpress.com/2015/ ... 91-009.jpg
https://eliseprudhomme.com/rough-riding ... udhomme-4/
https://cvn71.files.wordpress.com/2015/ ... 91-009.jpg
Last edited by sctbrd on Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
1987-1996 Nuke EM, CGN-40, CVN-71


- Fivi_1241
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2013 5:21 pm
- Location: Puck, Poland
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Hello!
A lot has been said about Nimitz-class kits in 1/350 and 1/700, but did anyone have an opportunity to take a critical look at Revell's 1/1200 Nimitz? It's a fairly modern tooling and seems fine detail-wise, but I wonder if it is also accurate in terms of dimensions and general layout.
A lot has been said about Nimitz-class kits in 1/350 and 1/700, but did anyone have an opportunity to take a critical look at Revell's 1/1200 Nimitz? It's a fairly modern tooling and seems fine detail-wise, but I wonder if it is also accurate in terms of dimensions and general layout.
- maccrage
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:54 pm
- Location: Milwaukie, OR
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Got my 1/350 Nimitz kit, and the WEM PE sets. Ordered the BaconFist Carl Vinson sponsons. Still debating on the hangar sets, since most of it won't be visible since I'm not lighting it. Since the GMM decal set is long out of production, I'll have to paint the numbers. And damn, am I dumb. 6 years on the blasted ship, and not one damn picture. As a lifelong modeler, I hang my head in shame. 
- Dave C.
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Wed May 12, 2021 11:09 am
- Location: Troutville, Virginia
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Hello! I have the 1/350 Nimitz and am hoping to do the Roosevelt from it. Has anybody done a 1/350 Roosevelt, and if so, are there many modifications to make? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Dave C.
Dave C.
- maccrage
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:54 pm
- Location: Milwaukie, OR
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
BaconFist on Shapeways makes Roosevelt specific sponsons, as well as Nimitz-class hangar bay details. You will also want to pic up the White Ensign Models photo etch set 3568, which has the proper SPS-49 mast and the stern dock.Dave C. wrote:Hello! I have the 1/350 Nimitz and am hoping to do the Roosevelt from it. Has anybody done a 1/350 Roosevelt, and if so, are there many modifications to make? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Dave C.
- Dave C.
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Wed May 12, 2021 11:09 am
- Location: Troutville, Virginia
Re: Calling all Nimitz CVN-68 class Fans!
Thanks for info. I'll look at those sites. Is there much re-modification to the hull for the Roosevelt?