Tamiya 1/350 CVN 65 USS Enterprise

[ojays]

A long drawn out build as not the best of kits regards fit issues, and my frustrations with fat fingers and poor eyesight.
I originally saw this kit going for a reasonable price on E-Bay so bought on a whim.
Researching other peoples builds it came to light that to make it into a decent model, many aftermarket parts and patience would be needed.
I probably spent more on after market (PE, Vehicles, Airwings, Crew Figures, Decals) than I paid for the kit. (why do we do this to ourselves)
Presently she is on the shelf of doom as I started her over 3 years ago, frequently moving onto other projects when I got frustrated.
Hope this is of some interest to you all.
If your sitting comfortably, I will begin

[boatman]

HI Gregg will you ever build her ?
chris

[ojays]

HI Gregg will you ever build her ?
chris

Some more of the build following.

[ojays]

Always intending to convert to R/C and having hanger decks with lighting, I had no idea what I had got myself into.
I started by modifying the hull to allow for motors, working rudders and prop shafts.

[boatman]

COR Gregg you have done a fanstatic job on them motors an sharfts brilliant a chap on our Norwich pond sailed his but he had to wait for a calm day as he said if its to windy she would roll over an he had a keel wheight on as well is there any more pics to see
chris

[ojays]

Having seen several peoples builds with the hanger deck included, I set out to do something similar but still allowing for it to be removeable for access to the R/C gear.
Made totally from plasticard, I must admit was harder than I imagined as other builds I have seen were all static show models.
Initially I made it as one through deck, before realising that wouldn't be practical so I had to split it into two sections, each removeable seperately
Although not accurate to the real vessel, I achieved what I had set out to do.

[boatman]

HI again in that last pic are they yellow leds ? an has she sailed at all ? as I know how hard it is to get a carrier to balance as I built on here my USS NIMITZ in 1/144 scale an it was a devil to balance to sail but she did an good but what you have achieved in such a small scale is a miracle in my opinion an could you put on full size pics Gregg as on my windows 10 it cut off half the pics fantastic build very well done
chris

[boatman]

HI again Gregg exscuse me for askin but what part of ebay did you look on to find this ? as I cant find where the models are on there as im a fairly newbie on there
chris

[ojays]

HI again Gregg exscuse me for askin but what part of ebay did you look on to find this ? as I cant find where the models are on there as im a fairly newbie on there
chris

If you mean the main kit, I just typed in USS Enterprise model kits in the e-bay search bar.
The lighting is battery powered Christmas lights.
Hope this helps.

[boatman]

Very good Gregg yes I lit my Nimitz up in all the hanger bays but what you are doin in such a small scale as I said fabulas but has she been on the water yet ?
chris

[ojays]

HI again in that last pic are they yellow leds ? an has she sailed at all ? as I know how hard it is to get a carrier to balance as I built on here my USS NIMITZ in 1/144 scale an it was a devil to balance to sail but she did an good but what you have achieved in such a small scale is a miracle in my opinion an could you put on full size pics Gregg as on my windows 10 it cut off half the pics fantastic build very well done
chris

Not had out on the lake because of lockdown, however I have done ballast trials in the bathroom. Lots of ballast used to get her stable, but don't think she will handle anything but calm.
Don't the photo's enlarge if you double click them, if not I'll post the rest full size for you.

[boatman]

Not had out on the lake because of lockdown, however I have done ballast trials in the bathroom. Lots of ballast used to get her stable, but don't think she will handle anything but calm.
Don't the photo's enlarge if you double click them, if not I'll post the rest full size for you.

YES THE PICS do enlarge but on this windows 10 I can only see just over half the pic as its cut off so a full size pic is always better for me anyway cheers
chris

[Steven000]

Great work so far Gregg!
Very interesting project,
I hope you'll be able to finish her :thumb2:
Steven

[ojays]

To be able to light the bridge/tower internally I had to hollow out the interior. After this I used green tinted plasticard for the window area.
I decided to replace the kit radar arrays and other tower appendages with the PE parts from the detail up kit.

[boatman]

To be able to light the bridge/tower internally I had to hollow out the interior. After this I used green tinted plasticard for the window area.
I decided to replace the kit radar arrays and other tower appendages with the PE parts from the detail up kit.
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HI Gregg that is just fantatastic doin this in such a small scale an I have done my ships bridges windows in a pale green as well as as a boaty m8 says its blue in the windows but I think its a pale green to cut down the suns glare on the sea but back to your model its great an all the pe as well an you say you have got fat fingers an such well I wish I could model this well you must have used a magnifier glass to do it im blown away very well done indeed an I like the big pics so now I can see an enjoy your work wow you the man any more to come hopefully
chris