I have a dream...

Do it in 1/72 scale so you can at least get it out of your house!!

I've been gathering research data on the Essex class, as I want to do a cross-section of a WW2 carrier in 1/72 scale. If nothing else, if you started tomorrow, you might finish it by 2013.

That's a TON of work (literally and figuratively).

Jeff

You must be out of your darn mind...

u gotta be outa your mind!!! there was one that built either 1/72 or 1/48 and it was in the rc boat magazine that i get. it had to have its own trailer and GEEZ, it needed a small army to get it i the water and ready to go....good luck trying to get it done for 2013, this guys been woring on his for 2/3 years, and its still got to be painted and detailed!!! but, if you've got the money and the space (and a VERY docile missus!!!) good luck to you and would you post some pics when (if?) shes done? dan

lets expand on that thought. how about you build it as a working ship. ie. take it to the local marina or lake for a spin. maybe do a mighty mo in the same scale.hell, let's ge everybody involved , each doing a different ship till we have an entire battle group!!!! yea i know.."right after i hit the lottery" sounded good anyway

You can probably buy a hull at 1/96th scale. However the detailing will be up to you.
Here is Andrew "Jarbak"'s RC model
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2510904&postcount=9

http://rongeorge.com/modules/Gallery/ships?page=3

These ships get big quickly.

1/72nd scale Bismarck - Brad B.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=279692
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=232369
http://groups.msn.com/ModelersAndHobbyForum/portlandregatta1.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=85
http://groups.msn.com/ModelersAndHobbyForum/portlandregatta1.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=86
http://groups.msn.com/ModelersAndHobbyForum/portlandregatta1.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=87

However if you build one at 1/48th, keep us in the loop and give us step by step construction photos.

Somebody built a 1/72 scale CVN-65 a number of years ago in FSM. I remember it was so big it had a "centerfold" to show it. Magnificent job, too.

Go for it and build it as rc so you can launch 148 scale rc planes off it dream big and enjoy just building it

A 1/48 scale USS Enterprise CVN-65? I suggest that you start by getting a diagram of the ships "frames" and start cutting 10th one of them with a jig saw out of pine or partical board. Next year when your finished let me know and i'll tell you what to do next.

What a dream. Where would you store it?

Thanks for all the encouragement! Straight jackets can be sent to my home address, thanks. :)

Unfortunately, I live in a 2-bedroom apartmenet right now; I do all my modeling in our garage, which is detached from the apartment building. My wife is whole-heartedly behind me on this, but we both know there's no place to put it. My thought is that if we buy a house in the next few years (which we've talked about) then I'll have a workshop big enough to build it (like a large shop-type setup). If I do get around to doing this, I'll definitely be posting for help with the a/c...that alone is a daunting task.

For now, it must remain a dream...but a good one. :)

I say go for it. It CAN be done. Just make sure you're cat doesn't start sleeping in it...

yes it can be done
but a full-scale 1:48 modern carrier
you are crazy!
good luck to the insane one! lol

Most of us have run across these over the years...

Here is a 1/24 scale HMS Invinceable by Duncan Cameron
http://wmunderway.8m.com/gallery6/gallery6.htm
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3176150&postcount=24

And the 1/20th scale Graf Spee by William Terra
http://wmunderway.8m.com/gallery13/gallery13.htm

Oh, and a 1/24th King George V battleship
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3176502&postcount=18

I have the plans and about 100 photos of the USS Carl Vinson CVN 70 built in 1:72 scale by a couple of guys in Queenland, Australia back in 1986-87.
It is really a fantastic model.
The images I have are from the very start of the project to the completed model.
I have been planning to do a CVN in 1:72 scale for sometime.
I have seen a 1:72 scale model of the USS Nimitz CVN 68 in the maritime musium in Monaco complete with all the aircraft and deck equipment.

Beau.

What I don't get is why such a scale. Heck, if you are only going to build it at 1:48, no one may notice it . My as well go for it. I think a 1:24 ir 1:12 should do it.
I assume the guys at the lumber yard are your very close friends.

Man I love dreams.....

Robert

For what it's worth,

such a thing already exists. There is one for sale in the Boat Trader, around the VA area (if I recall right)

It's unfinished (of course) but the boat floats, and the flatop's been done.

There's a big one in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. I think it's 1/72 though. It was fully loaded.

Why go thru all that work wait until2013 and buy the Enterprize from the Navy when it is decomissioned ! May take up alot of space but it will as accurate as can be Oh yes winning the lottery prior to then would be helpful also !

yes you are nuts but in a good way
you know realistically in 144th scale it could be within reason both in price and storage