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British Illustrious Class carriers - any ideas?

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  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Aarhus, Denmark
British Illustrious Class carriers - any ideas?
Posted by Foenssenborough on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 12:41 PM

Let me start out by saying that I model as women knit... It's relaxing and fun, so I am not the world champion of modelling. But I love it, and I have now set my mind on a series of HM Ships of WWII.

I chose the scale 1/600 because I once did at 1/700 and that was too small for me, and besides the Airfix models are easy enough for me to handle. But I want to build an Illustrious Class carrier (Illustrious, Formidable, Victorious or Indomitable). But the only British WWII carrier - of any scale - I have been able to find is the Ark Royal.

Any help is appreciated - I have been thinking about conversion of the said Ark, or an entirely different model, because I have never done scratch building. 

The goal of the series is a selection of the ships in the British Pacific Fleet of early 1945.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 1:05 PM

L'Arsenal of France makes several RN carriers of the WWII/Korea era.   Incldued are the Colossus, Glory, ArkRoyal III (as lost),  and the Arromanches of France.   They are in 1:700 scale, resin & brass.  

The Resin Shipyard was also working on a HMCS Majestic with options to backdate to RN configuration.    I haven't talked with Darren of RS since August, so I don't know the status of that project.

  • Member since
    February 2005
Posted by mark netti on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 2:13 PM

Hello,

Look's like it's back to 1/700. The Illustrious class  is made by Hasegawa ( I think ). I have all 4.

Good luck and happy building. 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 2:58 PM

Heller made a kit of HMS Illustrious in 1/400. It can be found online fairly easily.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 7:21 PM

And, don't forget that Airfix has a 1/600 HMS Victorious with an angled deck.  It's not a great kit, but it is okay.

Bill

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by ddp59 on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 8:45 PM

victorious can be converted back to ww2 configuration but will entail a far bit of work via scratch building. am think of doing that once i get my hands on a 2nd airfix victorious as got the plans of her both during ww2 & after rebuild.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:40 AM

Also, L'Arsenal once made a resin and photo etch conversion set converting the Heller 1/400 Illustrious to Victorious.  I haven't seen it in their listings recently but it might be available on various auction sites.  WEM make a nice photo etch set for the 1/400 Illustrious.  And, there is an Illustrious on eBay right now.

Bill

  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Aarhus, Denmark
Posted by Foenssenborough on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:03 AM

Thank you all - I have a few ideas to work with. I really appreciate the input. It looks like Denmark will have a navy after all! One good thing about DK is that there are plenty of old kits on the local market so I have already begun a thorough search.

I might post a few photos of the finished work - though I'm no pulitzer with a camera though...

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:48 AM

Good luck!  Please keep us informed of your progress!

Bill

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