Enterprise or Hornet

I vote for Hornet...with $150, you can get most of the add-ons you need, including the additional aircraft (Navy or B-25s, you choose) and a photoetched set to go along with it...

$150 buys you the Tamiya kit, and that's about it...

Which do you prefer, modern or WW2?

Both kits build up very well, and both are impressive when done. Hornet takes up a little less space than the Enterprise does, though...

You can also think about the Trumpeter Essex Class carriers, either Essex herself in her early war fit, or Yorktown in her mid-war rig.

Regards,

Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com

Tough choice! I'm building Hornet right now, and it's a great kit. I haven't built the Tamiya Enterprise (yet) but it looks fantastic when done, especially with photoetch. Jeff's advice was right on the mark, costwise. Expect to pay about $200 for Enterprise plus photoetch.

P.S. You'll need to buy additional aircraft for Hornet.

I'd opt for the Hornet. I've seen the kit and it's really impressive. The add-ons are nice, too.

Just came back from the Hobby Shop and wound up getting the Hornet. After looking at it, it really is an impressive kit. I think I made a good choice, thanks for the input you guys.

Keep us posted on ease of construction. How are you getting the camo done?

Thought I would try something I did on my Fletcher as far as the camo goes. I cut masks out of regular printer paper and tacked it to the hull with tiny balls of silly putty, then airbrush it on at low pressure. worked great on the Fletcher, nice clean lines. Got the portholes drilled and the hull halves together today. Now gotta do something about that fat bow of hers.

I am looking for information on how to paint, detail and weather ENTERPRISE.

Check out the how-to section of www.modelwarships.com. There's also a couple of Enterprise models in the gallery, you can always contact the builders via email.

Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com

If you buy the Hornet, you can convert it to the Enterprise (CV-6) and then after you buy the other kit (you know you will) you can have an old and new or Big E and Little E display. Both are beautiful kits.

I was thinking of a possible future project. Using Enterprise CV-6, CVN-65, and a Star Trek Enterprise kit all mounted together on a base with a plaque reading "USS Enterprise : Past, Present, Future?" What do you guys think?

I think it's been done before...can't remember who did it though...but they did the series, the entire Enterprise line. Would make one helluva exhibit, that's for sure!! JH

First Enterprise was a sloop that particpated in the Battle of Valcour Island (Lake Champlain) during the Revolutionary War.

Second Enterprise was a schooner that operated in the Continental Navy from 1776-February 1777.

The third Enterprise was a schooner built by Henry Spencer at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1799.

The fourth Enterprise was also a schooner, and commissioned in 1831.

The fifth Enterprise was a screw sloop commissioned 1877.

The sixth Enterprise, a motorboat, served in a noncommissioned status in the Second Naval District during World War I.

The seventh USS Enterprise (CV-6), we all know about.

The eighth is CVAN-65, still active.

Then you have the Space Shuttle Enterprise

Then we venture off into Star Trek...

NX-01: (commissioned 2151) The ship of Jonathan Archer in the series Enterprise.

NCC-1701: (commissioned 2245) Constitution Class

NCC-1701-A: (commissioned 2286) Constitution Class

NCC-1701-B: (commissioned 2293)

NCC-1701-C: (commissioned unknown) Ambassador Class

NCC-1701-D: (commissioned 2363) Galaxy Class

NCC-1701-E: (commissioned 2372) Sovereign Class

I know that they did the entire Enterprise history in a display case in the Star Trek movie "First Contact." Looked very impressive, especially with all of them gold plated.

Good luck on the build, and maybe the big display. Should be impressive!

demono69

They are both great kits, however the Hornet is my favourit.

I think in "Star Trek, the Motion Picture" Decker shows Ilya a display of all of the Enterprises as well. That would be a great series to build if pics and plans could be obtained of all of the schooners and the motorboat.
Jeff, the Enterprise NCC-1701-B is an Excelsior class.

***Jeff, the Enterprise NCC-1701-B is an Excelsior class.***

Thanks, I was workin' from memory when I typed all that in....I knew it was something like that but wasn't sure. Not being a sci-fi modeler, I think I did pretty good! :-)

It's kinda scary when you can list all the ships going back to the Rev War...man, I need a hobby!!!

Jeff