1/720 Revell USS Enterprise CVAN-65 in 1968 configuration

[LE BOSCO]

a very clean and impressive work Jhon
congrats
Nicolas

[DWD]

Nice build you have going John. You are putting a lot of work into this one, and at a small scale! Looking good!

[MightyJJK]

Making good progress on the superstructure�
I noticed that on the beehive dome, the antennae are actually T shaped. I shaped the bottom row of these antennae, part 47, into Ts with my #11 blade. Not happy with the detail on the dome kit part 46, I cut spare PE into tiny rectangles and yet tinier rectangles and stowed them in sticky tack. I then tacked the rectangles to the dome directly over the detail scribed into the kit part w/super glue. These rows are now probably a bit too large to scale, but I�m hoping it won�t be too obvious and that the added visual interest will be worth it.
I built the 4 sides (parts 37-40) and spent some time filling in the large gaps in the rows of windows and at the corners with thick super glue filed/sanded to conform to surroundings. I also sanded smooth the lower section walls all the way around [the molded door placements are wrong.] I lightly scribed panel lines and placed PE doors per references, including up on the roof. I also created the angled structure protruding from the port side with .60�/1.5mm square rod cut diagonally.
When I dry fit the top part 41, I noted that the roof top deck area did not conform to references. The flag bridge needed to be extended aft of the enclosed TV mount structure, which also needed to be filled in. I raised the space with sheet styrene and super glue, and then filed/sanded the flag bridge roof top and TV structure to better match references.
I made some PE ladders, then bent and tacked the PE railing starting with the newly extended flag bridge. I bent the railing for the top of the TV mount structure and set aside. I then bent single pieces to go from end to end within the kit molded detail and tackled them all the way around the roof top.
With the TV top railing set aside I sprayed the panel arrays with Model Master Light Gray FS36495 and set aside. When dry, I�ll mask the panels to protect them prior to adding any more PE detail.
So while that thoroughly dries, I�ll start on the antennae and mast details�...

[MightyJJK]

More pictures from above description:

[MightyJJK]

What I did on my winter break� I completed the superstructure, and thus the ship. Here�s how:
I extended and reinforced the main antennae/mast from the spares box. I wanted it to be stronger to hold the tension of the rigging later, so I drilled the top of the beehive dome and trimmed the new mast to the proper height, placed a dab of super glue on the bottom, slid it into the dome and tacked it in with a drop of s-glue at the top of the dome.
Turning to the GMM PE set, I started with the SPN-6 antennae, kit part 43. References show the mast for this has a �crow�s nest� type structure as well as a ladder. I cut out the small support structure at the top of the kit part. I found a substitute for the mast in the spares box better suited to support the ladder as per references. I used the end of a paint brush to shape the PE part and joined it to the remnant of the kit part. I built the crow�s nest from scrape PE metal and PE railing and glued the antennae in it and set it aside. I cut the mast & ladder to size, joined them, and glued them to the superstructure.
Next came the vertical support posts around the aft-most three sides. I cut PE railing sections to create the posts, and placed them with dabs of superglue at each end as per references.
References showed two small platforms aft, each with a dish antennae. I cut the platforms from spare PE metal. The supports and landing gear- �dish antennae� came from Hornet PE set leftovers.
To complete the beehive/mast assembly, I added the kit part main mast supports. Then spare PE metal became a small antennae structure aft of the main mast and a PE ladder went forward of the main mast.
Next I tackled the 2 antennae fore and aft that look like umbrella shafts (not sure what they�re called). The kit parts (#42) looked too thick so I dug around the spares box for adequate stock and scratch built them. I stretched Walthers �Goo� from bottom to top over the 4 horizontal arms, then I used the leftover PE smoke stack tops from my Hornet PE kit to represent the wagon-wheel looking tops of these antennae.
More scratch building for the numerous double-cone antennae around the superstructure. Several were missing or misplaced on the kit part, so I decided to recreate all of them according to references. I used the fins from 1/72 missiles from the spares box sanded to a long oval and cut triangles from spare PE metal, yielding 2-D representations of the 3-D �cones�.
Next I made the GMM PE SPS-12 antennae and glued it atop the shaft from kit part #44. And the same with GMM PE SPS-10 for kit part #50.
After masking the panel arrays on the superstructure, I glued all these antennae and the beehive in place. I then airbrushed the superstructure the vertical surface color, Model Master Neutral Gray.FS36270.
Next came the windows on the 2 upper decks and other areas of the SS. After a coat of Future, I used the �windows� from 2 sets of the GMM #701-D Naval Ship Decals, and cut more from Microscale Black Stripe Decal. And the �65� from the StarFighter Decal set.
Next I carefully hand-painted the top upper decks with the deck color, Model Master Engine Gray, FS36076.
Then I cut out the appropriate efficiency awards from the GMM decal set �1/700 Nuclear Carrier Decals� My references showed �CEWEE� on the Starboard side and the reverse "EEWEC� on the Port side.
Next I use the Walthers Goo once again to create the rigging from the upper and lower horizontal masts to their appropriate attachment points per references.
This basically completed the Superstructure.
But when I placed it on the flight deck to take some pictures, my eye was once again drawn to those oversized hose reels. It really bugged me and I finally decided to change them. After all that tedious work making them, I just couldn�t accept how they looked - aarrggghh! After searching the spares box, I came back to the Italeri CV-62 Indy kit and cut apart the lifeboat parts to represent the reels on my Big E. I paint them black, then dry-brushed with silver, and glued them in place after removing the PE ones and touching up the decks with the MM Engine Gray.
Finally satisfied, (you have to stop adding detail at some point!) I took pictures of the �finished� ship. In the pictures, the elevators and the superstructure are only dry-fit. I will glue them in place at the appropriate time and/or after I complete and place the aircraft, deck equipment, etc. Also, the blast shields are left off for the same reason. I also realized I forgot to place the saluting guns and the lifeboats, which I'll do at that time as well.
Looking back at all my posts above, I realized it took me almost a year to complete this ship! Granted, I don�t get to the bench near as often as I would like, but I was a little surprised it took me that long even with all the scratch-building and detailing. This is by far the most detailed and complex model I have ever built (and technically, I'm still not done!!)
Now on to the CVW-9 aircraft. As mentioned before, I�m building 1/72 scale models of each aircraft and will use them as 3-D references to try to replicate as much detail as possible on the 1/720 aircraft. With the site moderator�s indulgence, I plan to post each of those (albeit in far less detail than above) in the �Air Wing� forum on this site, and then come back here each time I place the small aircraft on the deck.
Lastly, I want to express my most sincere and heart-felt thanks to this site and all the members who answered questions, offered encouragement and advice, and provided tips, parts, and references. I could not have achieved the results I did without The Ship Modelers Forum/ModelWarships.com. (BTW, I�m very pleased with the results, knowing I did the best I�m capable of.) Special thanks to CliffyB (Mk 25 Missile Launchers) and Charles Landrum (BPDMS director references). Thank you all very much!

[MightyJJK]

More pictures as described above:

[MightyJJK]

Still more pictures as described above:

[MightyJJK]

"Completed" Ship, various angle close ups:

[Goodwood]

"Let us make sure that history never forgets the name...Enterprise..."

[MightyJJK]

So it�s been over a year since my last post. Yeah, I took a break from this Enterprise project, and went back to my comfort zone and built a few 1/72 WWII planes in the interim.

But about September of last year (2014) I returned to this project. As I stated early on, I will build each of the aircraft in 1/72 before I do the 1/720 squadron. And so I have started with the A-6A Intruder of VA-35, Black Panthers.
First, I always try to use to most definitive references I can find. As mentioned before I�ve been using the GRS Videos, Naval Aviation Films, DVD, �USS Enterprise CVAN-65 1968 Tonkin Gulf� (see http://cv41.org/ ) which is actual footage of flight deck operations from the time in question. I made numerous stills from the video which I could then zoom in on at length. I also referred to The Military Press; The History of US Naval Air Power; by Robert L. Lawson which has a �center fold� of the 1967 (a year earlier) configuration of this plane. And lastly, the USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) WestPac Cruise Book 1968, which is now available on line at http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cvn65-68/index.html.

Below are a few shots of the 1/72 plane. It is the MRC/Fujimi A-6A Knight Rider kit No.27016, with the squadron specific decals coming for the old Hasegawa/Minicraft kit No. JS-023.
With the 1/72 plane as my �model� I then moved on to the Trumpeter 1/700 A-6E Set, kit # 03421. I used Starfighter Decals Part # 700-53, 1968 USS Enterprise,CVAN-65,CVW-9 (NG) all aircraft, for the 1/700 decals. I also used 2 of the Gold Medal Models Part # 700-33A, 1/4 Airwing Details photo-etched sets for the landing gear doors, bomb racks, and refueling probes.

I painted the tops gray, then embedded them upside down in poster sticky tack to mask the tops and painted the bottom of the planes white. Then I hand painted the tops of the control surfaces and rear wings white. Then I painted the wheels and leading edges of the air intakes black; and the exhausts burnt iron. Next, I used the same custom mixed chromide yellow-cream color from the 1/72 plane for the nose and leading edges of the wings. Lastly, I used Testors gloss Sky Blue for the canopies; and once dry coated that with Alclad Chrome to achieve what I think is a nice effect. (The blue alone just didn�t look right.) With all of the above thoroughly dry, I cut off the wings on 9 of the 12 planes so that I could pose the with wings folded.

Then came the decals. Let me say that the Starfighter Decals are outstanding! But they are VERY delicate. As a precaution, I coated the sheet with Microscale Decal Film to �strengthen� them a bit. I had to hand cut them individually which is very time consuming. (Each plane took about an hour!) They slide very nicely after only 15 seconds or so in a drop of water; and they nestle right down with a dab of Microscale Red setting solution. Again, they�re super delicate so get them where you want them then touch them with the solution and leave them alone because they will get mushy in about 10-15 seconds. To position and hold the planes for some of the decal application, I use a plastic water bottle cap.

With all the decals applied, I moved to �final assembly.� I glued the folded wings in place. And finally, I glued the tiny delicate photo-etched refueling probes in place.

Below are step by step shots of the process above.

The 1/72 RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-1 Smokin' Tigers and it�s 1/720 counterparts are next!

[Jaguar]

Wow, those A-6,s are amazing. There is no difference between two scales

Jorge

[MightyJJK]

Wow, its been a few years since I've posted an update. Well, I've been busy with family, work, and other projects, but I have built 4 more 1968 CVW-9 aircraft in both 1/72 and 1/720 (700): First, two F-4Bs; VA-92 Silver Kings and VA-96 Fighting Falcons. Then the A-4s; VA-56 Champions A-4E and VA-113 Stingers A-4F. And I have two RA-5C Vigilantes on the bench now; RVAH-1 Smoking Tigers.

Let's start with the F-4Bs in 1/72 and 1/700...
I built two 1/72 Fujimi kits; K-4, 72104 for the VF-92 and G-11, 26011 for the VF-96, basically "out of the box�
To render these 2 specific planes, first I referenced GRS Video's DVD, USS Enterprise Tonkin Gulf, which has over an hour of footage taken by actual crew members of flight deck operations. As I played the DVD on my computer, I paused on the planes and screen captured, then zoomed in on those screen captures. References don't get much better than the actual planes!!
For the VF-92 plane I mainly used the Fox One 72-001 Decal Set: Phantom Mig Killers. Its for the 1972 F-4J VF -92 on the USS Constellation, so I had to make some adjustments to them, and I supplemented this set with decals I made/adjusted on my computer and printer/copier, then printed on Micro-Mark decal paper.
For the VF-96 plane I mainly used the Furball Aero-Design Set # 72-001: F4Bs of Vietnam Conflict [Part 1, "Bravo MIG Killers" ] which is for this specific plane.

[MightyJJK]

Here's the 1/700 F-4s. I wasn't happy with the Revell Big E Kit provide planes, I found them too few in number and pretty inaccurate. So I went with two of the Trumpeter 1/700 F-4J kits # 03423
Upon closer inspection I found the planes had inaccurate raised exhausts so I highlighted these areas with a silver sharpie, then corrected all the planes by carving off the offending protrusions & scraping the rear fuselages smooth with my #11 blade
I removed the planes from their sprues, attached them to a cardboard base with Sticky Tak and airbrushed them with Insignia White, FS17875.
Next I masked the upper and rear control surfaces of each plane. Then I embedded each masked plane in sticky tak ensuring the upper surface was exposed from the horizontal center line up. I then placed each masked plane on cardboard and airbrushed the upper surfaces Flat Gull Gray FS36440.
With the basic paint scheme complete, I used Testors Sky Blue [#1108] for the canopies the over-coated them with Alclad Chrome to achieve a glass effect. I painted the inner rear wings Silver [#1146] the wing tips of the 92 planes Insignia Yellow, [FS33538] and the 96 wing tips Gloss Black [FS17038.]
Next came the decals from the Starfighter Set # 700-53, for the 1968 Enterprise, Carrier Airwing 9, specifically for these planes and their fellow squadrons. They must be individually cut from the sheet but slide very nicely in just a few drops of water and nestle right down Microscale setting solution.
To apply these decals to these tiny planes, I anchored each plane on a ball of Sticky tak and applied the appropriate decals to the upper surface, then moved the plane to a bottle cap anchored with another ball wherein the plane is held by yet another ball so I could apply the appropriate decals to each side. I repeated this process for every plane.
I used the BigBlueBoy #70041 photo-etched set for the landing gear and their doors; the bomb racks and the rocket rails. I also used the kit-provided fuel tanks. I attached the photo-etched parts and fuel tanks with thick gel super glue on each plane. Then I hand painted all of these details Insignia White, [FS17875] and followed up with the tires in Flat Black [FS37038. ]
With my razor saw I cut off the wings at the appropriate place on 6 of the planes, for now at least, so that I could later pose them with Below are the completed the F-4B Phantom 2 VF-92, Silver Kings and VF-96 Fighting Falcons of CVW-9 for my 1968 USS Enterprise Project.
I placed the 1/72 Planes on the shelf next to my 1/720 Enterprise and put the 1/700 F-4s on the Enterprise's flight deck. Once I've built their fellow squadrons & service vehicles, I'll glue them in their final position on the flight & hanger decks.
With the F-4s done , it was on to the A-4 SkyHawks.

[MightyJJK]

1/700 F-4s build out continued...

[MightyJJK]

Completed F-4B Phantom II VF-92, Silver Kings and VF-96 Fighting Falcons of CVW-9, in 1/700 (and 1/72)...

[MightyJJK]

Next is my build of the A-4 SkyHawks of VA-56, Champions, and VA-113 Stingers in both 1/72 and 1/720 (700)

First the 1/72s: I built two Fujimi kits; F-24, No. 25024, one as the A4-E for the VA-56 plane and one as the A4-F for the VA-113 plane. These models have very accurate panel lines and the fit and finish is very good. I basically built them �out of the box� as per instructions, with just a little scratch building and ordinance from my spares box.
Regarding the ordinance; the kit only provides a set of rocket launchers, a set of wing-root 20 mm cannons, one set of external wing tanks with fins and a single fuel tank without fins, as well as bomb racks, but NO bombs.
I wanted to outfit the 2 planes differently to provide further contrast between them, so I consulted all my references, and went to my spares box to see what I could come up with that was historically accurate. [And as it turned out, my selections ended up matching the aftermarket 1/700 planes I bought..more on that later]
Because I previously built both the �history of the Blue Angels�and �history of the Thunderbirds� in 1/72, all of which are demonstration aircraft, my spares box had a good assortment of Vietnam era ordinance to choose from.
I came up with the configurations shown below. On the VA-113 A-4F, I went with a center-line rack of 6 MK-80 Slick Bombs, 2 external fuel tanks (with out fins) on the innermost wing positions; and the 2 kit-provided LAU-10A rocket launchers which carry four 5 inch Zuni Folding Fin Aerial Rockets on the outermost wing positions.
On the VA-56 A-4E, I went with an external gas tank in the center-line position; a set of 3 MK- 82 Slick Bombs on the innermost wing positions and 2 AGM-12A/B Bull Pup rockets on the outermost wing positions.

Again, to produce these specific planes, the decals are key. Here's what I used aside from what came with the Fujimi F24 kits: For the VA-113 Stingers A-4F, I mainly used the Microscale 72-0401 A-4F USS Enterprise Set which was specifically made for this plane for that year. For the VA-56 Champions A-4E, I used "scaled-up" Starfighter Decals which I'll come back to in a minute.
I also used Scale Master sets SM-15A & 15B: US Navy/Marines Lettering; MicroScale decal stripe sets in various sizes and colors; and bits and pieces from my decal spares box. And I made the VA-56 pilot name decals on my computer

I already had the 1/700 Starfighter Decals Set 700-53 and thus knew they had the artwork for the squadron markings for all the 1968 CVW-9 Aircraft. After an exhaustive search, I contacted Starfighter Decals and asked if they could create 1/72 Squadron-Specific decals for the various aircraft that I couldn't find aftermarket decals for, of which the VA-56 was one. They were happy to accommodate me.

With the 1/72s done, it was on to the 1/700s.

[MightyJJK]

With the 1/72 A-4s complete, I moved on to the 1/700s.
The Revell Enterprise kit-provided planes are A-4Es only and would have required alot of work. I found SNAFU Store 3D Printed A-4 Es & Fs on Shapeways.com; a web site marketing 3D printed items from specialty vendors, like SNAFU. These planes have exquisite detail and came with virtually the same ordinance as what I used on the 1/72s. Unfortunately, they did not have any landing gear. So again, I hit the spares box. I decided to use rear landing gear leftover from the plastic Trumpeter 1/700 F-4 Phantoms I previously made, and front landing gear from leftover 1/700 Photo Etched sets from BigBlueBoy and Gold Metal Models.

Painting the 1/700s mimiced the procedure for the 1/72s. Albeit starting with the Flat Gull Gray. I stood the planes on masking tape on a cardboard base and airbrushed the upper surfaces. Next I hand-brushed Insignia White on to the bottoms of all the planes , as well as the nose tips of the VA-56 planes. Then hand-brushed white on the upper control surfaces on the wings and tail. I then hand-brushed black on the tires of all the planes, as well as the nose tips of the VA-113 planes. I then hand-brushed the tips of the external fuel tanks with the either Testors Orange or Testors Light Blue on the 6 planes in each squadron with external tanks. I then hand-brushed Olive Drab on the bombs on the 6 relevent planes in each squadron. I also painted Neutral Gray on the front and rear tips of the rocket launchers on the relevent 6 planes in each squadron. Next I brushed the Exhaust color on the exhausts of all the planes . Then Insignia Red on the edges of the jet intakes of all the planes. Finally, for the canopies I used Testors Sapphire Blue to simulate the canopy glass. This completed the color schemes for both squadrons on all the planes.

[MightyJJK]

1/72 and 1/700 VA-56 Champions A-4Es and VA-113 Stingers A-4Fs

Next for the 1/700 A-4s came the Starfighter Decal Set # 700-53A for the 1968 Enterprise, Carrier Airwing 9, which includes these specific planes. With a blade and straight edge, the decals must be individually trimmed from the carrier film; most RIGHT ON or very near the edges; as they just fit into their locations on the planes.
I used a ball of Sticky Tak to keep the planes from moving while applying the decals.; then; starting with the wings, I cut and laid the decals out. The decals slide quickly and easily in just a few drops of water. Then I slid the decals with a toothpick from the backing onto the planes.
With the wing tops complete, I cut, trimmed and laid out the side decals and shifted the plane to its side on the sticky tak; then applied the decals one by one down the sides of the planes.
I repeated this process of cutting, trimming, laying out, floating and decal placement for every plane.

I placed the 1/700 A-4s on my 1/720 USS Enterprise's flight deck Once I've built all their fellow Airwing 9 squadrons & service vehicles, I'll glue them in their final position on the flight & hanger decks.

Below is the decaling and the completed 1/700 VA-56 Champions A-4Es and VA-113 Stingers A-4Fs

[Psar77]

Whoa !!!!
This is soooooo inspiring build MightyJJK!!!
Really makes me want to start my Trumpeter USS Constellation wright now
Have you finished your project ?

[MightyJJK]

I just finished my build of the RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-1, Smoking Tigers. They are the fourth set of planes and the 5th build overall in my 1968 USS Enterprise Project. The ship in 1/720 & all the CVW-9 aircraft in 1/72
I should explain why I built two airplanes when there's only one squadron of Vigilantes on the �68 Enterprise. When researching the kits for this project, all the sites said if you�re building a 1/72 Vigilante the Trumpeter Kit No.1616 is the best, period. So, I bought one, put it in the stash and moved on.
When I later read the Squadron Mini-In Action book, I learned there were Early and Late versions particularly noticeable at the wing roots and intakes. The Trumpeter kit is a Late version; and sure enough the �68 Smoking Tigers flew the early version.
So, I ended up on Ebay looking for kits where I could see the parts and know I was getting an early version. At $8 & $9 a piece, I ended up buying two, just in case there were any missing parts, etc. Both came virtually complete. The kits were the Minicraft-Hasegawa kit # JS-027. and the Ace Plastic Model Company kit # 150-01. (Niether were complete nor accurate. My goal was to improve them and make them look as much alike as possible)
When looking at a �68 cruise book reference photo, I noticed two RVAH-1 Vigilantes side by side with very different markings. While both had the same tail; One had a wavy line between gray & white; and �closed� jet intake warning; while the other had a low, straight line between the gray & white; and an �open� jet intake warning. So, with two Early kits in hand, I decided to build those two specific planes depicted in the photo.
For the 1/720s, they are a combination of the Revell Enterprise kits planes, with Trumpeter 03420 1/700 Tail Rudders and landing gear. I used the StarFighter Decal Set 700-53.
E-2A Hawkeye is next.