Aircraft Carrier Group Build (July 07 to July 2010)

Um, was hoping my first post would be more positive... but... have been looking and dry fitting my monogram 1:700 nimitz, and the deck is seriously flawed.. sort of swewed to the side, and I noticed a large "dimple" on deck.. me thinks the previous owner left the box and/or deck too close to a lightbulb?? In any case, I have a backup, a better kit (I think), dragon essex 1:700 scale.

Question: I usually prime my aircraft with light grey, tanks with flat black... what do you use for "primer"? I use enamels... do I prime with usual light grey, then AB gunship grey (and others)? Or do you prime with light coats of gunship grey to begin?

JMart,

Actually, I was hoping to add another name to our list to get off of thirteen participants (yes, I am superstitious about that number).  I will get you added to post #1 immediately.  Out of the box is not a problem, I started going a little crazy with details on my USS Saratoga, but that is just how I usually build.  A 30-year layoff is quite a while, and there have been a lot of advancements just in the past few years.  Please feel free to ask any questios along the way, as I want this build to be a learning experience for all.  Last, but certainly not least, welcome aboard!

Greetings.. Im back to modeling after almost 30years (yikes!).. starting with some of the same kits I built as a kid.. meaning, Revell/Monogram US birds and ships. I have a Monogram 1:700 (I think, box just says 16" long) USS Nimitz. Could I join in the GB? Im not very good, will be a straight OOB of an easy (?) build, but would love to start a ship and learn some stuff... thanks!

mph34,

 As I was a participant in your Farewell F-14 group build, it would be an honor to have you in this group that I started.  This is my first attempt at starting one on my own, and so far I am pleased with the turnout.  If you read some of my postings you will pick up on the fact that I am really busy with work right now so I am not getting online as often as I would like.  Please do not let that discourage you as I still try to look in from time to time, and I will be glad to answer any questions that I can as a former carrier sailor.  I have added you to the list on post #1, so just let me know when you pick a kit and a scale, as you said, there is plenty of time.

I apologize for not getting in a posting lately, but the thirteen hour work days are in full swing, and I have been a little preoccupied on my one day off each week.  Enough complaining already, here are some photos that I took just before the outage started.  The first shows the aft end of the flight deck with the new "nets" installed on one side, and the other side cleaned up and ready for them to be added.

Here is a full view of the flight deck with the island temporarily installed...

and here is a closeup of the island itself...

Since the photos were taken, I have not advanced too much other than to finish installing the nets around the flight deck, and to paint all of the nets grey.  Hopefully by this time next month I will be back to more regular working hours, and progressing much faster.  Keep the group posted on your progress as well.

I havent start on my yet  been working alot and trying to finish up the gb im in,  and guess what?  i won a free model of USS Ronald Regan from Italeri from raffle at the model show.  nice carrier  prolly will do it after im done with the uss hornet for this gb. 

Greetings all!

Just checking in to see how my group is doing.  The past week has been hectic at work and I do not even start working thirteen hour days until Sunday.  There will definitely be a slowdown on my model production until late October at best, but I will keep checking in and will provide updates when I do make some progress.  I am going to try to take a photo or two of where I am presently with the Saratoga (the flight deck is nearing completion, the hull is mostly assembled and painted, and the island and smokestack are essentially done).  Enjoy the ride, and keep building!

hey

sorry  been away for long time since been busy with my job and renetly had shutdown at my work where i have to work more than 8 hrs everyday.  argh   now im all done but still have other stuffs to do   will get start on my carrier soon  hopefully 

Dan,

Thanks for the information, and good luck at your event with your kit search.  I once read a comment that Heller in french means "can not be built".  It sounds like the lower hull is probably better left off, or in this case, removed.  Keep the group and myself posted on your progress.

Hey Scotty, yup I use Paintshop Pro 9 (I just don't have the bucks for PhotoShop) and the resizing is pretty simple, you just go to Image >>> Resize and than enter the size (in pixels that you want), but it is easier if you wait for resizing till all the rest is done.

So what is the "rest", you ask, well after selecting a nice image you want, you add a new layer for the text (actually I make a new layer for every line of text, so that I can slide and rearange them as much as I want), if you are satisfied with the badge, you merge all the layers into one, after this you can't change anything anymore on the design and than you resize to the size you want it to be.

About the waterline model, yes, they are easier to display, however in this particular case I would choose this option because there is a huge fault on the bottom of the hull (I suspect that's the reason the previous owner hadn't even started the kit).  The mold for the hull  is obviously a three-part mold, but the bottom part isn't aligned properly with the other two molds, the result is that a big area of the bottom is lower (if the hull is held inverted that is) than the rest of it (am I making any sense ?  A picture will be better of course, so that will follow).  Fixing this is possible but would require a lot of work and energy.  So, I'm still not entirely sure what road I'll go.

However, Sunday there is a model event that will have lots of stands, and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to resist temptation (haha, beginning of the month, the wallet is still full :D) if I see a nice model, so that might even be a nice little AC which would replace good old monsieur Charles in this GB :) 

Dan,

 Paintshop eh?  I was wondering what program folks used to create group badges.  How do you set up the size, as the images are less than a full 8.5 by 11 inches?

On a modeling note, I sort of like waterline ships myself, as they are a bit easier to display.  The Trumpeter USS Saratoga that I am building comes with a nice water display base to sit the ship on.  I also picked up the Trumpeter 1/700 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1978 version, and it too includes the water display base.  A very nice option in my opinion.  When I built the USS hornet, heading out on the Doolittle raid, I mounted the ship to a piece of walnut with good results as well.  The only downside to a full hull build is that you have to be cautious of the propellers (or screws as we called them in the Navy) on the bottom as well as your planes on top when displaying the ship, especially if it will be moved from time to time.

kustom,

Nice job on the island! the additional lighting looks good, and I know that we had several of those lights on both the Eisenhower and the Lincoln, so adding extras was probably a good choice.  Keep us informed as you progress, but everything so far looks great!

AJB93,

It is never too late, well at least not until the group build ends in this case.  I will add your name and selection to post #1.  One question, are you building the Essex itself, or another ship of that class?  Let me know, and in the meantime, aboard!

scorpr2 wrote:

Can someone tell me how do I attach the group badge to my signature or whatever it's called?

Easy :

1 you copy the image to your computer

2 you upload the copy to your online album (like Photobucket.com for instance)

3 when uploaded to your album you see a couple of line under the thumbnail in your album

4 you copy the textline that looks like this : [ img]url of the picture[ /img]

5 you paste this line in the signature box of your profile

6 you're done 

Well, got the basic Island assembly done on the Reagan. Had quite a bit of overtime at work the last few weeks, and havent had much time to work. I studied photos of the Reagan's island, and using parts in the kit, but shaded out not to be used, I added lights to more represent the real carrier's deck lighting, which is more than abundant. Detail painting is next.

click it it get bigger.

No problem at all, Scotty, I enjoy tangling with PaintShop now and than, to at least lift my skills with it a little up

As said before, I haven't started my carrier yet because I really need to work on a couple of other builds first otherwise it would seem that I have more wips than finished models but I'm thinking of chopping De Gaule's bottom and make it a waterline model (sounds kind of weird doesn't it ? ), or maybe even get a new kit for this GB (hehe, any excuse is good enought, isn't it ?)

Scotty, 

Your assumption is correct. Thanks

Doug,

Thanks for joining the group! I have added you to our listing on post #1 with your USS Yorktown.  I made the assumption that you meant the Essex-class ship, CV-10, and not the Yorktown-class, CV-5, so let me know if I am mistaken (it will not be the first time).

DURR,

Thanks for the link,  I will be checking it out further later on.

All,

We have a winner in our group badge election!  As voting concluded in a three-way tie, and since I started the group, I have decided...to go with...wait for it...wait for it...the creator's favorite!  I greatly appreciate the time and effort that Dan put forth in developing the choices for the group, and if he likes his design #1 the best, that is good enough for me.  I have added this to post #1, and I will be adding it to my signature line shortly.

Thanks once again Dan!

Ok, Scotty, I've got a kit, well, it turns out I've had this kit all along, laying on the attick.

It's the 1/400 Charles de Gaulle from Heller, I picked up this a kit a couple of years ago on a flea market, so I don't acutally know if it's still complete. But, heck, I'm gonna give it a try.

So as soon as my other running projects are completed, I'm gonna start building her. 

    I would like to join this build .... i've never done a carrier but it looks like a whole lottta fun.  Im not sure what i will do ... something 1/700. This might be my chance to tackle a waterline build. I like the middle badge. I hope i am not to late!

EDIT:

after a little research im toy'n with the idea of scratchbuilding a Apollo 8 Command Module

-Doug 

i vote for #6    that is #1 + #2  + #3   = 6   which translates to it don't make no difference to me

That site looks pretty good.  I signed up for it!  Looks like it will be very helpful. 

By the way, for the group badge I vote for number 3.

some of you guys may already know this place   some one my even be a member

this site is devoted strickly to a/c carriers and the planes that use them

http://www.carrierbuilders.net/   

DURR,

Welcome to the group!   I have added your name to post 1 along with your choice of a 1/700 scale kit.  Just let me know your ship name when you decide, and I will update the list.

deathrattler32,

Troublemaker! 

All,

We presently have a three-way tie for the voting on the group badge.  There is still time to get to the polls and cast your ballot!  I will announce the winning badge and add it to post one after the voting ends (whenever I get around to sitting at the computer on Saturday ), so please let your voice be heard (OK, let your words be typed) by Friday night.