Can't find WW2 Ship

Nothing is 350 is cheap, unfortunately. It's a rather large scale when you're building carriers. I think the Enterprise at 350 was just over two feet long!! CVL's would probably end up closer to 1-1/2 feet.

I get FSM...I'm surprised I missed that part. Grrr.

According to the most recent issue of FSM (in the upcoming kits list), a 1/350 scale Independence-class CVL is supposed to be coming out later this year.
I think it was from Blue Water Navy, but I'm not sure. Guaranteed it won't be cheap, though. Maybe Trumpeter will do one someday!

There is no plastic 1/350 CVL, which means no cheap one. Without going into the economics of resin casting it is very unlikely you will find a mutli-media kit of this sized ship for less than the one you saw on eBay, unless a modeler is just looking to dump one.

As far as scratchbuilding, that would indeed be the way to go for you on this project. Why not give it a shot? You can get good plans from the Floating Drydock

http://www.floatingdrydock.com

And supplement them with photos that they sell as well. They are an outstanding resource for anyone who is building a WWII US naval ship.

If you have no experience in scratchbuilding, I would suggest picking up Mike Ashey's book on Ship Models from FSM; the last few chapters cover pattern making in this scale which would be very applicable to your project.

Good Luck!

Kurt

For plans try the Smithsonian.

I've ran into this problem with the WWII Patrol Frigates.