My Tamiya 1:350 USS Enterprise

Wow.  Really, really nice work.  This is really giving me the itch for a carrier build.  But I'm still holding out hope that Trumpeter or maybe Gallery Models will eventually release a modern carrier, or at least an update for Tamiya's Big E.  I love the kit, but to get her built as she was even in 2000 takes a lot of scratchbuilding and I haven't attained that level of skill yet.  I'd love to see a Nimitz class as represented in 2003-ish...

Beautiful work, and the Titanic and QE2 are equally as beautiful.  The Titanic with the PE upgrades is definitely on my list.

Phil

Thanks!

Updating the Enterprise to the 2000's is proving daunting.  Every time I look at the pictures I find more and more I need to add.  I'm currently tackling the radar domes on the island, the port side, and the landing radar mini island (pictured in the pics I just posted in white styrene).  I already finished the CIWS mounting locations, and a few other platforms on the island and the ship itself.  

To look at it, it looks "almost done" but it's not even flippin close.  I still have 40+ aircraft to finish as well.

Loving it though!

Hi Grymm, Trumpeter do a 1/350 Nimitz, If Gallery did one it would cost hundreds of dollars but their aircraft are fantastic.

Jockster.

I just got my airwing from China this week, all the Trumpy aircraft I could want, and a few extras, I got a bit carried away and have Phantoms, Corsairs and Vigilanties which look great but were finished service by 1996. maybe I'll hide one of each in the hangar! And for tongue in cheek, I found in my stash 10 Mitchells from Doolittles raid......maybe!

Jockster.

I have the Trumpeter 1/350 scale Nimitz Jockster I got it when it was brand new back in 2001 and it cost me around $225 US Dollars back then not to meantion what the Airwing costs me around $60 US Dollars.

I am going to do an updated Nimitz next.  Already grabbed the PE and another set of Nuclear Carrier decals.  Working on buying all the new Airwing, and ordered the actual kit this past week.  I need the Enterprise done by the fall so I can tackle the Nimitz this winter when I get most of my building done.  

MrMaker and Mikeym, groovy baby, I'm interested in the Numnutz myself, but way off in the future, Mikey, have you built yours? do you have any pics posted? I'd love to see the difference between the Tamiya and Trumpy kits.

I have taken several steps back.  I was unhappy with my Island CIWS mount that I scratched up, and have completely reworked it from the ground up.  

Sourcing Radar domes (Since this is a present day build) has been a task, but I finally found a store with 5 million different sized beads, so that's one thing off the list.  

I got my hands on two SLQ-32 ECM's (One for the island and one on the port side), and am trying to work on some scratched Rolling Airframe missile launchers.

Pictures forthcoming!

Mr M

Island CIWS done for the most part.  Top rails are last to go on after its mounted since they are in a vulnerable position. 

First the old CIWS I made:

And the rebuild:

More to come in a few days

Mr. M

Very nice and neat Mr. M. A museum quality build! It's good to watch you and A.M. Nearing the end of yor builds while I am just starting mine! I am really disappointed in Tamiya for the missed opportunities with this kit. I have the drawings I need to now start building the hangar deck on mine, the first real construction on my kit since the strip down!

Small update.

This has to be one of the most......... nay....

This has been THE MOST ANNOYING PART OF THE BUILD.  

Painting the stupid black straps onto the life raft canisters.  This has killed me for some reason.  Give me PE... give me 40 aircraft each with 15 microscopic decals... but god don't ever make me do these damn raft canisters again.  No idea why these drove me so crazy, they aren't even hard... just... gah!

Good news.  Those stripes no longer appear on any carrier and I dn't believe they ever did on the Enterprise either.

I wish.

Yep, you got me.  Decal strips may be the way to go.

Ah they are done now.  Decal stripes are a brilliant idea though when I start the Nimitz!

Mr. M

I'm gonna have a go at making a new canister on my lathe and moulding a lot of copies, later though, I have just about finished construction of the hangar deck on mine.

Roy dear chap, I thought you'd left the planet! :P 2u2

Very nice work!  I'll be following your build.

Mike

Just a quick update.  The Enterprise is underway once again after ANOTHER move.  I have a dedicated workshop now, and I need to get this thing done so I can start on other projects.  

Last night I finished the last of the major airbrushing on the Island, got all of the new Radar domes scratched, and worked on the airwing.  

New pics soon.  

Mr.M

One pic is better than none. Decals are ongoing and the radar domes are coming together. I realize the decals aren't true to any specific time period. I just put on what I thought looked good. 

BAM!

Aaaaaand she's done.  Onto the JJ 1701 Enterprise now!  

We need more pics than that!

I love how you immediately dive into the next project.

That looks great.do you plan on populating it? I've always felt it adds a ton to the visual interest .not like there is not a lot there already

More pics coming!

Rualduke:  I may populate the deck more in the future, but after doing the handful of aircraft that are on there already, I was ready to kick the whole thing through a wall.  Perhaps after the JJ 1701 build I will be sane (or insane) enough to revisit 65.  

Mr.M

I remember seeing her when I was in the Navy back in 64, I was out of Mayport, Fl. Magnificent ship she was and HUGE!