1/350 CVN-65 USS Enterprise 2001

[JimVarnellABH2USN]

Doug,
Your really doing some fantastic details to the Big "E". This is truly an inspirational build and one I will reference if I ever get to build this kit. I for one really admire all the details you are pouring into this build. Between you, Ryan, and Laci I'm worried I will never reach that level of detail. You three guys kill me, as well as amaze me.

Please keep up the fantastic work, I'm loving it.

[navydavesof]

DWD,

Man, the level of detail you're laying down, I cannot even hope to compare, man. I am building 2 "what-if" modernized battleships, a what-if" up-gunned LCS-1, and a "what-if" patrol craft/corvette, and I can tell that I won't be able to measure to your level of detail. You are AWESOME!!!

Keep it up, mate!

[silvershadow]

Well done, looking great

[autodecepticon]

These are already in god mode. I am no where near your skill. Awesome.

[youngtiger1]

Holy cow Big D, look at all that cool detail pop right out after your paint it is sure paying off because your Big E is the best

Mike

[D.A.C. BB-61]

Absolutely incredible, Doug. I recently pulled the trigger on this kit(having wanted it for years). Your work is truly inspirational. As I currently begin acquiring PE, aircraft, and decals(apparently no longer for sale anywhere), I find myself continually returning here to check out your work. Being new to ship modeling(building my first now, a 1/350 USS IOWA, Modern) I hope to just successfully glue together the basics. Your levels of detail are awesome!! Thank you for the images and inspiration.

[DWD]

Thanks for all the comments on the work you guys! I painted and added the wooden crates to the hangar openings. I also pieced together the internal hangar openings along with some of the hangar walls to show some overall effect so far. I still need to add the warning lines around these areas. I also built the ceilings with support structure to complete the hangar openings themselves. Just have to paint them and then I will start permanently assembling all the walls.

[LE BOSCO]

HI Doug

what to say except it's just sublime
cheers
nicolas

[DWD]

Thanks Nicolas! I have been working on putting the warning lines in the hangar openings and around ordinance elevators and have finished most of that. I finally got to a point where I was able to glue the hangar walls in place as well. I still have some more weathering to complete on the hangar floor before that's done. I will also be adding some aircraft and stowage to the hangar deck as well. I will start constructing the hangar ceiling probably very soon. It's taken quite a while constructing the hangar from scratch and getting it all painted and pieced together, but it seems to be moving along quite well now. Here are some progress photos up to this point.

[silvershadow]

Simply just AWESOME!! Well Done!

[Brian001]

Unbelievable Doug! You've certainly set the bar high.

[rtwpsom2]

That is truly impressive Doug. Your hard work and dedication impress the hell out of me.

[LE BOSCO]

HI Doug

an incredible job as always
cheers
Nicolas

[Goodwood]

Now you just need a mini Pavel Chekov running away from some Marines...oh wait, wrong year!

[Edward Wilson]

Man this brings back memory's of my years on the Enterprise, best hangar i have ever seen. I don't know what was under those eight small oval hatches on the deck, I never saw them open, but they each centered exactly over the Reactors. I really hope my attempt at my old ship ends up looking half as good, although I got hung up re-shapeing the rear hull and haven't picked it back up in some time..

[davetwin]

Been following this for a while now and am really enjoying seeing it progress. Cant wait to see the finished article

[ESO]

Great work DWD.

I have a question for you seasoned carrier builders:

How high do you build the walls of the hangar to fit the roof etc?

and how do you create those perfect inner hangar door curves?

Best regards,
Espen

[DWD]

Thank you to all you guys for all the compliments and comments and following the build. I really appreciate it a bunch.

.......How high do you build the walls of the hangar to fit the roof etc?
and how do you create those perfect inner hangar door curves?....

Well, to try and answer your question about the height of the hangar walls.....they need to be high enough to go just above the hangar openings and low enough to clear the flight deck above. I will actually build a "hangar ceiling" to fit the hangar instead of using the flight deck as the ceiling. That should leave a little less than 1/4 inch clearance in most of the area above the ceiling. In some areas, it will be less than 1/8 inch. The one thing you want to make sure of is to build the hangar walls with the exact same height or you will end up with spaces between your walls and ceiling if there are high and low spots. Hopefully, that helps???

As far as the hangar openings, I have included a photo of some of the tools I used to obtain the openings. There is some explanation of this on page 10 of this thread with some progress photos. If you still have questions on the "how to", just let me know and I will see what I can do ESO. Thanks for following the build.

[ESO]

Thank you Doug.

I seem to have skipped that page for some reason. If you have time to make a quick guide I would really appreciate it.

All these build threads are really inspiring to read. They help greatly with my preparations for my own late model Nimitz Class. I haven't decided if I want to go with CVN75, 76 or 77 yet.

Regards,
Espen

[DWD]

Here you go ESO. Here is a guide for how I went about creating the hangar openings.