more on Essex class ships

The planes will be the hardest part of the conversion. Hasaqawa has the Corsairs and I carved up the TBMs to resemble ADs. The Banshee and Panther are harder since nobody makes these. I used Evergreen 3/16 round stock for the fuselages and 1/32 sheet to make wings with tear drops of resin for the wing tanks and canopy. These are easy compared to making the Cougar, Skyray, and Cutlass that were being sent to the fleet in 1955 onward. With these, I carved out a plug in wood and made a plaster mold and made resin copies which did not turn out to be the greatest. Still need more time and patience.


Scott

Scott
I know you are looking for Essex class carriers but Revell re-issued a 1/540 version of the Mid-Way class CVA-42 USS Franklin D Roosevelt with Cougars, Corsairs, ADs and some Skyraiders. I also have two 1/540 1970's Revell issues of CVA-43 USS Coral Sea (my father's ship) which also has planes ]from the Korean era. I converted some of the Cougars into Banshee / Panthers by removing the wings and using the fuselage. I had some spare "trainer jet" wings from another kit which I used to make my new wings and tear-drop wingtip fuel tanks. I know this may not be exactly what he is looking for but at least he will have some options to work with. The re-issue Roosevelt can still be found at local hobby stores or on-line if you look. Hope this helps.

QUOTE: Originally posted by scottrc The planes will be the hardest part of the conversion.

Check White Ensign Models website. You may find what you need there under their "Airstrike Aircraft" line...it's a line of 1.700 resin planes

http://whiteensignmodels.com/

Nice call Martin, never thought of WEM. I didn't see any Panthers of Skyraiders so I may call them. They did have the Cutlass and Skyray which are bloody hard to scratchbuild. They also have the Demon and Tiger.

Scott