Merit 1/200 USS Hornet CV-8 OOB Review

Tracy White

Member since
August 2005
From: EG48

Posted by Tracy White on Thursday, January 2, 2014 7:22 PM

Local VFA club?

If you're near Seattle I know of a plastic model shop that buys collections. I'd offer to buy them, but the shipping might be a bit much....

Tracy White Researcher@Large

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rwiederrich

Member since
December 2012

Posted by rwiederrich on Thursday, January 2, 2014 5:34 PM

1/200...that's huge. I just picked up the 1/350 scale Trumpeter Essex, Yorktown, Franklin from a renter who was throwing them away. I don't build carriers...just sailing ships.

What should I do with them? I'd like them to go to someone who will appreciate them.

Rob

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tates

Member since
June 2012
From: Canada

Posted by tates on Thursday, January 2, 2014 2:28 PM

I got the 1/200 Missouri for Christmas and I was happy as a clam. Then I saw this thread, now I'm all sad because now I have to go buy this kit.

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Bricko86

Member since
October 2012

Posted by Bricko86 on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 11:13 PM

Saw this in my local hobby shop yesterday. was quite impressed. just have to clear my stash a bit first.

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GMorrison

Member since
September 2012

Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, December 5, 2013 5:21 PM

Ray Marotta

I've had the Nichimo 1/200 Yamato in my stash since 1983. I paid about $50.00 for it in a hobby shop in Yokohama. Maybe one day I'll build it. Right now I'm still working on my Trumpeter 1/350 USS Lexington with a Yankee Modelworks backdate set to add the 4 twin mount 8 inch turrets, director houses and GMM PE. I'm almost 2 years into this build because I only work on it a couple of hours a month...

Hows taht YMW set, Ray? I've got the basic model and was thinking about that as a project.

Also am I correct that Trump came out with some appropriate a/c?

Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

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Ray Marotta

Member since
December 2002
From: Lyons Colorado, USA

Posted by Ray Marotta on Thursday, December 5, 2013 2:26 PM

I've had the Nichimo 1/200 Yamato in my stash since 1983. I paid about $50.00 for it in a hobby shop in Yokohama. Maybe one day I'll build it. Right now I'm still working on my Trumpeter 1/350 USS Lexington with a Yankee Modelworks backdate set to add the 4 twin mount 8 inch turrets, director houses and GMM PE. I'm almost 2 years into this build because I only work on it a couple of hours a month...

]

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Old Salty

Member since
December 2013

Posted by Old Salty on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 12:52 PM

Looks great; I have GOT to get me one of these things!!! :)

Currently doing the 1:350 Trumpeter USS Ticonderoga (CV 14), and have the 1:350 Mighty Mo, Enterprise (CVN 65), USS San Francisco & a couple others, but I think I could find SOMEWHERE for a 1:200 Hornet! Maybe I can extend my basement. Your pictures are great as is the description. his is def on my gotta have list.

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Tojo72

Member since
March 2003
From: Western North Carolina

Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, October 17, 2013 8:33 AM

Looks great,but way too big for me.space,budget,and ability.

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tankerbuilder

Member since
August 2008

Posted by tankerbuilder on Thursday, October 17, 2013 8:14 AM

Bevins to hetsy !

That my frend is wun big pyle of parts .I like whut I see ! Mine , Mine , Mine ! I knew I shouldn't have watched " Finding Nemo " with the grandchildren !

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tankerbuilder

Member since
August 2008

Posted by tankerbuilder on Thursday, October 17, 2013 8:12 AM

Kin I order mine now Santy ?

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Sauron

Member since
August 2006
From: Mordor

Posted by Sauron on Monday, October 14, 2013 6:44 PM

My pleasure, Paul. Maybe Santa will bring you one for Christmas !

"One Ring to Rule Them All, One Ring to Find Them, One Ring to Bring Them All, and in the Darkness Bind Them."

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Paul5910

Member since
June 2006

Posted by Paul5910 on Monday, October 14, 2013 1:12 AM

Thanks Rick. I hadn't even heard about this kit. I love 1/200 scale ships!

Paul

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Sauron

Member since
August 2006
From: Mordor

Posted by Sauron on Thursday, September 19, 2013 2:06 PM

Actually it was $360 including shipping and you might be surprised at how well a kit holds value when it is the only game in town. For example the Nichimo 1/200 Yamato I got some years ago for $275 is still going for $350-$400 new and it's the only one at that scale. I'll build the Hornet and probably even add another hundred bucks in AM PE details before I'm done with it. At my age it's not about the money as long as I can afford it (which I may not be able to in 2 years even if I'm still around). I'm blessed with a very understanding wife of 40-odd years and an 800 sqft model workshop to piddle around in. I'm thankful for every day.

By the way, if anyone would like to see photos of all the sprues or closeups of anything in particular I'd be glad to post those. She's not inexpensive or perfect but then there's not another one out there like her. Kinda like my wife : )

Rick

"One Ring to Rule Them All, One Ring to Find Them, One Ring to Bring Them All, and in the Darkness Bind Them."

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Leftie

Member since
September 2003

Posted by Leftie on Saturday, September 14, 2013 5:21 PM

Still waiting for a more thorough review before I spend $400. I see Trumpeter/Merit still didn't find it necessary to add port holes to their taxi boats. Tip off the iceberg I'm sure. I bet you'll be able to buy this kit for less than $200 in a year and a half. Any takers?

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Rambo

Member since
August 2012
From: Parker City, IN.

Posted by Rambo on Saturday, September 14, 2013 5:01 PM

Wow where do you have the room for all those 1/200 boats?

Clint

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subfixer

Member since
March 2004
From: Spartanburg, SC

Posted by subfixer on Saturday, September 14, 2013 7:37 AM

That is impressive! I like what I see.

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

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Sauron

Member since
August 2006
From: Mordor

Merit 1/200 USS Hornet CV-8 OOB Review

Posted by Sauron on Friday, September 13, 2013 10:12 PM

This kit is actually made by Trumpeter but marketed under the Merit name. It comes in a huge box (16"x5"x51") with a one-piece hull. All sprues are in sealed bags. The small details are very nicely done and some pieces are quite delicate. There are 8 large deck and structural pieces and 28 major sprues. The flight deck is clear so you can see the very detailed hanger deck below. A full complement of aircraft are included: 16 B-25, 5 F4F-4, 5 SBD-3, and 8 TBD-1 as well as a large sheet of decals for them. Interestingly, they are also molded in clear plastic with very fine detail (including panel lines!). Ten sheets of photoetch contain railings, stairs, radar, and numerous other details.

A color painting guide is included for both the ship and aircraft. There is an option to configure her for the Battle of Midway or for Doolittle's Raid. The 20 page construction manual is broken down into 39 steps with clear line drawings however if you intend to apply the camouflage paint scheme you will want to study the sequence closely and change it up somewhat.

This will make a fine companion to the other 1/200 scale ships in my collection: the Arizona, Yamato, Bismarck, and soon to be released Trumpeter Missouri which I have on pre-order. Enough talk, here are a few photos.

Rick