USS Enterprise CV 6 1/700th kit bash

Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

USS Enterprise CV 6 1/700th kit bash

Posted by Mike F6F on Friday, June 5, 2009 12:23 PM

OK, after doing 4 1/48th scale airplanes that almost fell together, its time to get back to some "little" serious work.

For some time, I've kicked around the idea of doing a waterline carrier Enterprise attempting to represent the ship as it looked after its mid 1943 overhaul and refit.

I completed a Tamiya 1/700 1942 CV 6 several years ago and didn't do the research as well as I might have. This time I planned a little better, so I'll see how this goes.

For the project I have the Tamyia Hornet kit and a Mini-Hobby Enterprise made from the Tamiya molds, or so they say. The MH kit's moldings look OK and various parts seem to be test fitting very well. I'll be using a mix of WEM and GM PE and the GM decals. I'll also be using some Pit Road fittings from the WW2 USN set #E6.

Starting with the Hornet WL hull, which is identical to Enterprise, I drilled out the portholes on each side.

Portholes near the waterline on Enterprise and other USN ships were welded over after the Pearl Harbor attack. I missed this on my first attempt.

Using some Evergreen 1/16th rod the holes are filled.

Then cut flush. Those fine moldings of the degaussing lines will all be sanded away too. When this is completed I'll need to add hull blisters and a new degaussing cable run.

Gonna be fun you bet!

MIKE

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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stikpusher

Member since
July 2004
From: Sonora Desert

Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, June 6, 2009 1:54 PM

Myfavorite carrier! I will be watching your progress here

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

- Plankton

LSM

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kustommodeler1

Member since
November 2003
From: Exeter, MO

Posted by kustommodeler1 on Saturday, June 6, 2009 9:37 PM

Yeah, me too. I am especially interested in the foremast on the island. Among all the carriers of WWII the Yorktown class had the most distinctive Tripod formast, especially the Big-E, in my opinion this makes or breaks the model, along with the radar support off the funnel.

Enterprise CV-6 was beautiful.

Darrin

Setting new standards for painfully slow builds Dead

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, June 14, 2009 3:36 PM

Some more WIP shots.

I finished plugging the portholes, then realized the hull blisters were higher above the waterline than I first thought, so I didn't need to drill, fill and sand the portholes amidships. The blisters covered them.

Oh well, all that drilling and filling was a good "character building" exercise.

The blisters were added during the '43 refit to add stability for the ship's increased weight.

I fit some stock plastic to the hull, and sanded to fair them to hull. I've still got a little cleaning along the edges to do.

The molded degaussing cables were sanded off and I've started replacing them with some rod. I've got to "connect" the long pieces and then continue them into hull sponsons once they are added to the hull.

Its going well so far.

Next post, I'll show some work on the island. I'm trying to widen the kit's skinny island, add the visible "void" to the front of the stack, and get the other Enterprise pieces to the kit's Hornet island layout.

Mike

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Monday, June 15, 2009 3:59 PM

Here's a few shots showing modifications to the kit's island attempting to reach a closer CV 6 '43 look.

This was my attempt at a '42 Enterprise sticking with the basic kit island structure. I completed this model some years ago.

Here's a post '43 overhaul Enterprise island shot.

The kit island is too thin, and structured to represent the ship pre-war to early war. There's no void opening on the forward stack. The bridge was modified and additional deck houses were added to create a combat information center, etc.

Here's the current project's island.

I've added stock plastic between the two kit halves to add width. I'm trying to stick with some of the kit deck pieces since that will keep the masts, etc., easier to attach.

Using strip, channel and some foil the deck houses are filling in and the new rounded forward areas on on. Once the two halves were separated, it was easy to create a representation of "the void."

I believe it's getting there. Once its painted, the PE and other details are added, it should make a closer '43 appearance.

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, June 28, 2009 1:08 PM

I've completed the structural changes to the kit island, and with a little tweaking and clean-up it will be ready to prime.

There was some compromising required, but on the whole, I believe once painted and detailed with railings, etc., it will work.

The hull blister and degauss line is finished. I've added the 40mm sponson on the port aft quarter. I'll prime both sections before painting them 5-N Navy Blue.

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, July 19, 2009 12:00 PM

OK.

In response to the overwhelming interest generated by this build, here's a few more workbench progress shots.

The flight deck is mated to the hull and the basic painting is done. The island has been placed on the deck just for the photos. You can see that the deck is glossy for the decals and the 40MM Bofors guns are in place They are a mixture of Pit Road and Midship Models fittings.

There was a little trouble mating the Mini Hobby flight deck to the Tamiya hull, but no more than, I imagine, anyone has had fitting two different kits together.

I'm using the GMM decals, but the deck stripes are too wide for Enterprise in late '43-early '44. I'm not sure how I'll resolve that. I've scored the catapult tracks, and I'm going to try the White Ensign wind breaks in the down position.

The island redo is a compromise. I tried using the Tamiya island, but found it easier to adapt the other island, even though the Hornet island is closer to the late Enterprise look. Once the railings and antenna go on, I believe it will be a decent approximation.

Now for stairs, and railings, etc.

Still gonna be fun, you bet.

Mike

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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warhorse3

Member since
July 2005
From: Dayton, Ohio

Posted by warhorse3 on Sunday, July 19, 2009 5:38 PM

I've been following your progress on this one since you began it. CV-6 is my favorite ship of all time. I built the same kit about 14 years ago to the '43 overhaul but I was then unaware of the island's width inaccuracy so I didn't widen it. Keep'em coming, good stuff so far.

Regards, Bill

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, August 2, 2009 6:07 PM

A few more workbench progress shots.

Railings are going on the starboard side, the SC-1 antenna was added and a scratch built SC-2 mast and antenna are mounted.

I'm using Midship Models fittings for the 20mm mounts next to the island, since they are free standing. I'll be using White Ensign PE for the other 20s along the gallery deck. The WE guns will be used throughout.

I've given the flight deck weathering a single dry brushing shot.

Its coming along.

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Grandpa1949

Member since
November 2006

Posted by Grandpa1949 on Monday, August 10, 2009 9:41 PM

This is a great looking build you have going here Mike. Keep up the good work and post a lot more pictures. You can never have enough pictures!

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, August 16, 2009 2:58 PM

Thanks Grandpa. More photos, you got 'em.

Here's a few more workbench progress shots.

It is said that using a macro lens and shooting your 1/700th models at 1:1 or better, will keep your opinions of your skills in check.

I've almost completed the ladders, railings, etc., on the starboard side. I'm showing some as yet unpainted just for contrast in these shots.

Since this project is a kit bash, and I wasn't sure how well the flight deck from one kit would fit to the hull of another kit, I left putting the fantail and forecastle railings off until now. If there were fit troubles, and I had to "rassle" the pieces together, I didn't want to knock those railings off. Doing them now, made for some fiddly times. You can see one section is bent, and I need to replace it.

The fantail is easier. You can see the scratch built support for the 40 MM tub. It needs one more horizontal cross piece, but I'll mount that when everything else is complete. I've fit the 5"/38 guns here. They are from the Midships set. I've had to compromise them slightly to fit below the flight deck level.

I fixed an error I made on the SC2 mast along the island, and have other antenna yet to mount.

Still lots more to come you bet!

Mike

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, August 30, 2009 12:17 PM

Wow, the responses to this build just keep on coming in. I hope FSM has the space.

Anyway, here's just a couple of workbench progress shots.

I've started weathering the hull, done more weathering to the flight deck and completed the railings, for the most part.

The island needs a couple more details and an adjustment or two and it will be finished. I'll hold off adding the last few antenna pieces until I'm satisfied with paint touch up and tweaking.

The only major chore remaining is mounting the 20MM guns. Then I'll tackle the aircraft.

Again, when you come in this tight, it keeps you humble.

Mike

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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warhorse3

Member since
July 2005
From: Dayton, Ohio

Posted by warhorse3 on Sunday, August 30, 2009 2:04 PM

I can appreciate the high level of craftmanship you've put into this build, Mike. I don't have the opportunity to get online very often, but I have kept up with your progress so far. Don't be discouraged at the seeming lack of interest. As it has been stated on another thread, most who view may feel that their opinion has already been posted by others and that any comment by them would be superflous. I'm curious as to how you plan to display the "Big E", I'm assuming at sea? Regards. Bill

Regards, Bill

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, August 30, 2009 6:36 PM

Thanks Bill.

I'm going to mount the model on a plain black base as I have done on my other 1/700 ships.

I don't believe I'd do "water" very well and often I believe such a display distracts from the model itself.

Now, if someone is doing more of a diorama, as opposed to a display of a model, then of course you'd need water.

We had a similar discussion earlier this year on a post I did of my CVN 65 Enterprise.

/forums/1063029/ShowPost.aspx

I also case my models. With all the photo etch, I think it is a necessity.

Mike

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Monday, September 7, 2009 7:44 PM

OK here's a few from a studio shoot.

I've basically finished the ship, and I've mounted it to the black base.

I still see some paint touch-ups and there's a detail, or two I may still add before I call it done. Of course, I still have the aircraft to do.

The rigging is completed. I used guitar string painted dark gull gray. There might be another antenna I could squeeze in.

The hull and flight deck are weathered with washes and drybrushing.

As always, there's things you see you could have done differently, or better. Hope there always is.

Mike

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Saturday, September 12, 2009 12:50 PM

Here's a couple more shots from the last photo session.

I missed a bit of railing on the aft island. Sometimes you can stare at the model all day long and not see it. Look at a photo though and bang, there it is.

The model was painted with the discontinued MM Acryl marine colors. I grabbed a few bottles before they were gone from my LHS.

I'm working on the aircraft now. I don't plan to add many. I'm using Trumpeter planes.

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Saturday, October 10, 2009 10:22 AM

This project is done. As with most, there's always things you wish you could do over. There were too many compromises with the island. With the way I reworked it, I didn't figure a way to put in the bridge windows. I could have tried a few things, but decided to leave well enough alone.

Anyway, some final shots.

I haven't added patches, etc., inside a ship model before. I have used them with spacecraft and aircraft. I got the replica WW2 style embroidered USN Wings and the Presidential Citation Ribbon from Worldwide Militaria, www.wwmeinc.com. Their service was excellent. I picked up some other stuff for future builds.

The Dauntless, Hellcat and Avenger A/C are Trumpter's.

>

In some ways I probably had my reach exceed my grasp on this one. It will be nice when a new Yorktown-class 1/700th kit, with an island that's wide enough, and has the "void" included.

Let me know what you think.

Mike

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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jtilley

Member since
May 2003
From: Greenville, NC

Posted by jtilley on Sunday, October 11, 2009 10:35 AM

A first-rate model in every respect, Mike. I especially like the weathering - including the subtle light grey effect just above the waterline. Lots of models miss that sort of thing. And the aircraft look great. And I don't think I would have caught your "compromises" in the fattening of the island if you hadn't mentioned them.

One interesting point. We know you reproduced the "void" at the front of the stack, because you told us so and it's visible in some of your early "in-progress" shots. But it's just about impossible to see in any of the shots of the finished (or nearly finished) model. Just as it's almost impossible to see in photos of the real ship.

I haven't bought the Trumpeter 1/700 Hornet, but as I understand it, its island is of the right width. (Though, of course, it doesn't have the "void" - as the real ship didn't.) I wonder why that kit has received so little attention in the various web forums. I've never seen a single picture of it in completed form - and there are precious few reviews of it.

What's next, Mike?

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

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tucchase

Member since
May 2008

Posted by tucchase on Sunday, October 11, 2009 1:42 PM

While it may be true you haven't had much written response, you have had over 800 views. Maybe others are like me and can't really respond because all the picture links are broken. Can't see a single one. Probably some conflict between my computer and IE8 and the format used by your picture site. From what you have written for the captions it is obvious you have really put a lot of work and research into the model. Just wish I could see it to appreciate it better. This is only the second or third thread I have viewed in the last couple of years that had broken links.

Anyone out there have an idea why they might be broken? And what, if anything, I can do about it?

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warhorse3

Member since
July 2005
From: Dayton, Ohio

Posted by warhorse3 on Sunday, October 11, 2009 6:46 PM

Well done, Mike! I like the use of the Navy and P.U.C. insignia.

Regards, Bill

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Mike F6F

Member since
November 2003
From: Virginia

Posted by Mike F6F on Monday, October 12, 2009 6:13 PM

John and Bill, Thanks for your comments.

Tucchase, I'm sorry you can see the photos. I have no idea why you can't. PM me and I'll e-mail a few to you, if you'd like.

The "void" does become hard to see once the deck house and walkway are installed. I imagine scale has something to do with that too. At 1/700, the railings are just large enough to help cover the opening.

As for my next model...

It won't be another carrier anytime soon. This was my 5th. I still want to do a Forrestal. I like to try a show it as it looked the day the ship conducted the first cat shot of a F-14 Tomcat. I've got some photos, but they're all deck shots. I'll need to find something from that time to try and confirm deck markings armament etc. I also want to take a stab at a modernized Essex. I'd like to do a Tico-class cruiser and a gator LHD too.

Right now I'm looking hard at the new Hasegawa 1/72 E-2 Hawkeye that's in my stash.

Mike

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

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tucchase

Member since
May 2008

Posted by tucchase on Monday, October 12, 2009 11:20 PM

Mike F6F wrote:

Tucchase, I'm sorry you can see the photos. I have no idea why you can't. PM me and I'll e-mail a few to you, if you'd like.

It's getting strange! Late last night I could see about a third of the pics. Now I can see them all, and they look fantastic! Beautiful build. Don't know what the hang-up was yesterday but it seems fine now.

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mfsob

Member since
March 2005
From: West Virginia, USA

Posted by mfsob on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 6:11 AM

I have done one aircraft carrier, updating the ancient Revell Enterprise from "as built" to her current appearance, and that stretched my meager abilities to the limit. You went far beyound that and ended up with quite the unique showpiece. Well done!