is there a kit for USS Forrestal (CV-59)?

Monogram/Revell had a Forrestal in I think 1/525 scale pretty big sucker too. Check Ebay.

gzt wrote:

I am an airplane guy, but my friend asked me: is there a kit for this ship available ???? I appreciate your help  Thanks

The Revell 1/542 kit should still be available at Pacific Front Hobbies in Roseburg Oregon. It is $35 and can be found at their web site www.pacificfront.com WS

Airfix made a 1:600 scale version of the Forrestal.   It may also be found in a Heller boxing

Gentlemen, thank you a lot for help !! I really appreciate such a great response.

Dreadnought52 wrote:

gzt wrote: I am an airplane guy, but my friend asked me: is there a kit for this ship available ???? I appreciate your help  Thanks  The Revell 1/542 kit should still be available at Pacific Front Hobbies in Roseburg Oregon. It is $35 and can be found at their web site www.pacificfront.com WS

Well I was close scale wise. Now someone please produce a 1/350 scale Forrestal.

The old Revell kit got reissued many times, under the names of the other three members of the class (Saratoga, Ranger, and Independence).  As the Saratoga it was still in the Revell-Monogram catalog just a couple of years ago, if I'm not mistaken. 

I bought one of those Saratoga kits not so many years ago (well, more like seventeen years ago, come to think of it) for my nephew.  I was surprised to discover that Revell had in fact modified it quite a bit since its original release in 1957.  (The date comes from Dr. Graham's book, Remembering Revell Model Kits.)  Not only were the aircraft different, but the original 5-inch guns were gone and various other changes had been made to the original parts.  I didn't have a chance to study the kit in detail (because my nephew and his father went home and took the model with them), but it sure was a different kit than the Forrestal I built when I was in elementary school.

Aurora also made a series of Forrestal-class carriers for a while.  They were about the same size as the Revell versions (maybe a little bigger - 1/500 scale maybe?).  There were four different boxes for the four ships, but (to Aurora's credit) the instructions were labeled "Forrestal-class Carriers" and acknowledged that all four kits were identical.  Each featured a gloriously big plastic bag full of airplanes, in a lighter grey plastic.  That the Aurora kits were less sophisticated than the Revell ones was obvious even to me at that age, but those planes sure were cool.

I'm not sure about this, but it sticks in my mind that Italeri may have issued a Forrestal-class kit in 1/720, in 1980s configuration, some years ago.  (I may be wrong about that.  Maybe some other member with a definitive kit list can correct me.)  I think I remember seeing it in a Testor's box.  If I'm right, it's probably the most detailed an accurate of the bunch - which isn't saying a great deal.  The Italeri U.S. carrier kits aren't nearly as complex or detailed as their new 1/700 competitors from Trumpeter (which cost at least five times as much), but they're basically sound, accurately-shaped models - and the decal sheets are great.  My guess is that the Italeri/Testor's kit, if it exists, would be a good, sound basis for a serious scale model.

Later edit:  the Steel Navy website (http://www.steelnavy.com/) has a review of the Gold Medal Models 1/720 "Supercarrier" set of photoetched detail parts:  http://www.steelnavy.com/GMMcarrier720.htm

The review mentions at least one component specifically for a Forrestal-class ship.  That suggests that my senile memory may be right:  Italeri did make one.

Still later edit:  The 1/542 Saratoga is in the current catalog of Revell Germany:  http://www.revell.de/en/products/model_kits/model_kits/ships/?id=208&KOKANR=01&KOSCHL=03&KGSCHL=05&L=1&page=1&sort=0&nc=1&searchactive=&q=&SWO=&ARMAS4=&PHPSESSID=2c478342bd72c4d4105d9b1b49d5a98d&KZSLPG=0304&offset=3&cmd=show&ARARTN=05089&sp=1

I think this is the "updated" version I bought for my nephew.  Note the description of the armament and air group.

The Revell Forrestal is in 1/542 and can be found for under $20 on eBay, plus shipping. It is usually under the boxing of Forrestal or Saratoga. The current boxing would represent something from the 80's or 90's. The Aurora Forrestal kit is 1/600 and considered one of the worst kits of the class. However, there is a 1/600 Forrestal released by Airfix (and re-released by Heller) that is regarded as well-detailed and well-proportioned. Italeri has released a 1/720 version as every ship in the class (Forrestal, Saratoga, Ranger, and Independance). In any case, each kit needs some attention to represent a particular ship - all were quite different. Thanks for letting me muddy the water some more. IMHO, the 1/540 kit is the nicest, and with the Gold Medal Models PE, will look quite nice when done.

My recollection is that the Aurora kits were a little bigger than the Revell ones - but we're talking about recollections that are about 45 years old.  I may well be mistaken.  I do remember that, like most Aurora kits, those were pretty crude - even in the eyes of an elementary school kid.  (But I did like those bags full of airplanes!) 

I'm glad to get my foggy recollection of the Italeri/Testor's kit confirmed.  

I have fairly strong memories of the grand old Revell kit in its original incarnation.  It came in a huge box, with the flight deck (molded in a different shade of gray - or maybe it was dark blue) carefully wrapped in heavy tissue paper.  Thomas Graham's fine book, Remembering Revell Model Kits, contains a nifty photo of one of the built-up displays that were supplied to hobby shops.  The finished model sits on a cardboard diorama featuring (sort of) the Golden Gate Bridge.  The lettering on the background reads:  "History-making addition for any real model fleet.  Build America's mightiest super carrier U.S.S. Forrestal."  An irresistable sales pitch if ever there was one.  But the price, $2.98, put it out of reach for most kids with pocket money - the sort of thing to drop hints to Mom and Dad about during Christmas season.

As a matter of fact, I have an older Forrestal from Revell in the garage - it has a dark blue flight deck and planes from the when she was first launched. That boxing also features the sponsons with 5" guns - still probably one of the best naval vessel kits of the time - the molding is excellent, compared to the Revell Essex class kits of similar scale.

By golly, I wasn't imagining that blue flight deck!  (Were flight decks actually painted blue in 1959, though?  I doubt it.  If I'm not mistaken, the asphalt-like, dark, slightly brownish-grey deck treatment we're familiar with today was in use by then.  I have an even vaguer memory that at least one of the other Revell Forrestal-class ships, in their original incarnations, had a dark brown flight deck.  Can anybody verify that?)

One obscure detail that I can confirm is that Ranger was the only one of the class to retain her original forward gun sponsons throughout her service life (sans guns).

Bert Kinzey released a "Detail & Scale" volume on the Forrestal some years ago which gave excellent coverage of the ship and its various configurations over its lifetime. It also included pretty detailed notes in the back on each of the various kits released over the years, and the corrections/enhancements required to make them "respectable."

Verlinden also did a "Lock On" for the Forrestal which had lots of great color photos, but very little (as I recall) in the way of period-by-period changes to the ship and its equipment.

I've been collecting sources and parts for an "ultimate" version of the Italeri 1/720 Forrestal for some years now, but most of the stuff is currently in storage and inaccessible, or I could give a bit more detail.

Greg 

Mikeym_us wrote:

Dreadnought52 wrote:  gzt wrote: I am an airplane guy, but my friend asked me: is there a kit for this ship available ???? I appreciate your help  Thanks  The Revell 1/542 kit should still be available at Pacific Front Hobbies in Roseburg Oregon. It is $35 and can be found at their web site www.pacificfront.com WS Well I was close scale wise. Now someone please produce a 1/350 scale Forrestal.

Scratchbuiding the 1/350  Ranger after finishing 1/350 FDR.

I seem to remember that the Aurora kit had a preprinted set of runway stripes and a black area running or ff the angled deck.

[quote user="jtilley"]By golly, I wasn't imagining that blue flight deck!  (Were flight decks actually painted blue in 1959, though?  I doubt it.  If I'm not mistaken, the asphalt-like, dark, slightly brownish-grey deck treatment we're familiar with today was in use by then.  I have an even vaguer memory that at least one of the other Revell Forrestal-class ships, in their original incarnations, had a dark brown flight deck.  Can anybody verify that?)

Just joined.

I do remember that, almost half a century ago,  I built a USS Forrestal with a Brown flight deck AND a prepainted black waterline and bottom hull !  It was a fairly large scale too, the planes were much larger than the usual 1/600 Airfix and 1/800 Otaki, Arii.

I am quite sure about the deck color and painted hull, but not sure why, I always thought it was some Japanese kit. The other things I remembered is all the 5" gun turrets were molded in black instead of a silvery grey like the rest of the kit.

Besides being bigger than the rest of my "fleet", those planes from this kit were also much better detailed than the Aurora kit.

 

The Aurora kit was really crude, even an 8 years old can tell that. But when we play "wargames", the Aurora carrier is always the one to beat, because it simply had more planes than 4 other carriers kits combined

Hi;

 I seem to remember the Revell ship specifically .It was my second carrier .The other was a W.W. 2 version of the Wasp.(By Lindberg )

 Now, the Revell ship did have what I choose to call a steel blue deck . Unlike the Lindberg ship , it did NOT have a full hangar deck . The guns were grey .The one described by the poster with black guns may have been a very early version by , believe it or not Bandai or Otaki .I don't remember which.

 When I realize how many have come and gone, it's scary .  T.B.

Zombie thread- but I remember old Bondoman. Good to see him lurch back into view.

I have an old CV-60 boxing from 1989 acc'd to the molds. Got it on eBay for $10 plus shipping as it had been started. That came with a bunch of F-14s.

I'm looking to use it to kitbash a full hull Midway.

The newer version of the Revell kit was a good kit as far as it went, but there were many ommissions.  For example, Revell did not add the port side flight deck extension aft of and part of the number two elevator. The port side forward boat deck should have been enclosed.  The Mk 56 gun directors that had been molded into the forward catwalks should have been ommitted.  The flight deck still includes six arresting cables and two barricades: these should have been changed to four cables and one barricade.  The lights at the forward edge of the flight deck should be left off. The cannisters on the base of the former gun sponson on the starboard quarter should have been removed and replaced with cylinders.  The auxillary conning station on the island should have been reshaped. An elevation dome for the SPN-41 radar, a fresnel lens , and the LSO platform should also have been added.  The decals should have been updated as well.

The old Aurora kit was a 1/600 kit and had even more mistakes and was little more than a children's toy.  The Airfix/Heller was a much, much better kit of the ship as built.  The Italeri 1/720 kit needs too much work to make it a worthwhile project for me.  It is ideal for those who like to scratchbuild. 

There are four kits of Forrestal class ships that deserve an honorable mention . . . the Arii 1/800 kits. Granted, they are small and do not fit with any collections other than with the 1/800 series of USN carriers, but they are little gems!  I built the USS Saratoga and presented it in a wood and glass display case to my son-in-law. He served onboard in the late '80's and early 90's, and he remembers her very fondly.  He was thrilled, and he could not find any fault in the details except for the missing LSO platform.  He still has the model on display at his workplace. 

GM, I am looking forward to your Midway!  I am trying the same thing with that old FSM article as a guide.

Bill

The revell kit in 1/542 scale can be found found now (also one for the Saratoga) on ebay.  Look here for the Forrestal bidding at $20:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/REVELL-USS-FORESTALL-CV59-SHIP-MODEL-KIT-IN-BOX-1-542-NOT-PUT-TOGETHER-/302183169736?hash=item465b853ec8:g:XdEAAOSwEzxYVJf6

 

Look here for the Sarataga bidding at $10":

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Revell-Monigram-1-542-U-S-S-Saratoga-CV-60-/112253438234?hash=item1a22d3891a:g:0nYAAOSwEzxYZpkr