USS Enterprise, CVN-65, in 1/350 scale, Tamiya Kit #78007

Jeff Head · Dec 2, 2012

Re: Â¦^��: My build and review of Tamiya's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN065

Equation said:
(Star Trek theme song playing) as the new Big E emerges from her dry docks after a bottle of Dom Perignon broke the occasion as she splashes onto the water.

My own artwork showing her...now I can't wait to build THIS model when she comes out:

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...and another:

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That last show the UCAS, the JSF, the F/a-18 F Surperhornets and the E-2D on her deck.

Equation · Dec 2, 2012

Re: Â¦^��: My build and review of Tamiya's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN065

Jeff Head said:
My own artwork showing her...now I can't wait to build THIS model when she comes out:

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Looks like there's some significant changes on the Ford class island.

Jeff Head · Dec 2, 2012

Re: Â¦^��: My build and review of Tamiya's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN065

Equation said:
Looks like there's some significant changes on the Ford class island.

Yes there are.

Smaller, a good deal futher back on the deck, single integrated mast, PARS, etc.

Check it all out here:

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On my Ford page of my World-wide Aircraft Carriers site.

...and here's what my eventual 1/350 scale model of the USS Enterprise, CVN-80, will look like:

Jeff Head · Dec 3, 2012

Airwing detailed, markings/decals added, and they are all on deck

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(December 2, 2012)

Detailing the aircraft with some final additions and then touch up, and then placing all of the decals on the aircraft is a time consuming effort, particularly when you are talking about 36 aircraft at a time.

I used the decals that came with the Trumpeter and Tamiya 1/350 scale aircraft kits to add the decals. In most cases I used the Trupmeter decals to augment the Tamiya decals because the Tamiya decals are very basic. Basically the "Navy" decals and the star insignia. The Trumpeter decalss come with unit numbers, unit logos, air intake decals, squadron numbers, etc. in addition to the same decals that Tamiya provides. Since I was not using complete sets of all the Trumpeter models, I was able to raid the Trumpeter decal sets to round things out. This of course is at the expense of future aircraft, for which on future builds I will have to buy more decals.

Once the final pinting and details were done (and this could include anything from open cockpits to more detailed weapons) in my case it involved some touch up and addition to the folded wing areas, and to the intakes and tires, I sprayed all of the aircraft with a Gloss Coat enamel from Model Master. This allows the aircraft gloss to help hide the line along the edge of the decal. Here's how that looks going from the finished painting to the first set of decals. I would usually put the insignia on the wing, the intake danger warning and the aircraft number on each time, followed by the vertical stabilzer logo, and the "Navy" decal on the body of the aircraft between the back edge of the wing and the start of the horizontal stabilizer on each side.

Each aircraft had between eight and twelve decals...so an average of ten, times 36. This is 360 decals, many of which are extremely tiny, and also very fragile. If one does not make sure thay the decals get wet enough...they will easily pull apart. At the same time, if you allow them to get too wet, it is easy for them to slide right off the backing when you are placing the decal sheet to carefully transfer them from the sheet to the model.

Generally, while the decals are softening and coming loose, I clean the surface of the model where the decals will go using very mild detergent water and a paint brush I use just for this purpose. I then dry it quickly and add some clean mostiure on the surface. Then, I work with the edge of the table for horizontal and vertical stabilizers or wings and carefully use another paint brush to move the decal to the side of the sheet, and then using either my tweezers or a small pick I carefully move the decal onto the model surface, holding the model in place with one hand while the decal sets on the edge of the table, and using the other hand to carefull move the decal onto the model surface. I do this for a few decals, usually three, on each side of the aircraft. Genrally for aircraft, most of the decals are placed on both sides (ie. logos, unit numbers, aircraft numbers, jet intakes, insignia, the Navy marking, etc.)

I do not worry too much about getting the individual decals perfectly positioned at first...just move onto the next aircraft with the decals in the same position. I will do four aircraft at a time this way, coming back after the fourth is applied and then working the decal into exactly the right position and then ensuring that there are no bubbles or wrinkles under the decal before gently drying it off just a bit ...not completely, because it is best to let the air do that, just enough so there is no noticable moisture sitting on the decal. I then move forward to the next decal for those four aircaft and will generally do three decals at a time before coming back and doing the other side of the aircraft for the same decals. This way I can move through four aircraft at a time fairly quickly.

But "fairly" is a relative term. To completely decal up thirty-six aircraft with all of their markings can take me 10 days to two weeks. They are very intricate and minute and one has to work carefully and slowly...that's why I saw "firly fast" is a very relative term here.

Anyhow, here's how the aircraft looked after carefully gluing them to the deck (using a small pick or tweezers to add small drops of glue right to the aircraft wheels) in their various positions:

And here are three pictures of more of the overall layout of the aircraft. I am using three catapaults on deck to launch a fairly large package of AEW and tanker aircraft off the port bow catapault followed by several F/A-18C aircraft. From the two waist catapaults, I am launching some EA-18G Growler EW aircraft followed by F/A-18E and F/A-18F strike and air dominance aircraft. Eighteen aircraft are being launched in all, with the other eighteen on deck and spott3ed around the deck, with several on the elevators:

That is looking very nice now...like the real thing.

A point to note, the day before I was finishing this, on December 1st, the USS Enterprise, CVN-65, was decommissioned after almost 52 years of service. To the last she carried out her duty as a mainstay of US power projection and foreign policy. Of GREAT NEWS was the announcement that day by the Secretary of the Navy, that the third Ford Class Carrier...the first of which, CVN-78, USS Gerald R. Ford will be launched in 2013...the third, CVN-80, will now be officially named the USS Enterprise! That is excellent and outstanding news. When a 1/350 scale model of her comes out, I will immediately buy and build her. This is what she what will look like once it comes out and I finish her:

At this point, within the next two weeks, I will build the deck equipment, paint it, and place those tugs, fire trucks, cranes, etc. on deck. Also, I will add the props and screws and rudders and then build the stand and add the switch for the hangar bay lights I installed in the carrier. At that point, she will be finished for now...coming back a few months from now to add about 150 painted, 1/350 scale deck personnel to the vessel.

Jeff Head · Dec 17, 2012

Deck equipment built, detailed and placed on1/350 scale USS Enterprise (Complete)

The Build - Building, detailing and placing the deck equipment. Carrier complete (Mostly)(December 16, 2012)

I had a large crain, a fork lift, two fire trucks, five tugs and two fueling trucks to build and p[lace on deck. Putting these together and painting them properly adds significant realism to the carrier deck and its air operations.

I painted a lot of the parts on the sprues in the various colors. A lot of yellow, but alos various grays, orange, black, and some metal/steel.

Once the parts had been painted and dried, I then carefully cut them loose and glued them together. Then touch up paint work was in order, as well as detailing with various additional parts, like the twine for the cable on the crain, small taanks for the fire trucks, and the extended attachement for the aircraft foir the tugs, and the folded versions for those tugs not actively working with aircraft. I decided to hae one of the tugs pulling an S-3 off of the port, aft elevator, and another positioning the E-2C next to the island.

These pictures show the completed equipment in place on deck. The crain is large and located next to the starboard, aft elevator. Several pieces of equipment around the idans, and other parked in convienent locations around the deck.

Here are a few more:

Now, here are a few pictures of the carrier deck, showing some close ups, and then showing the overall carrier, port, starboard and from the fron and aft.

And with that, the carrier is essentially complete. I have all of the antennae painted and ready to place, but did not want to do that before I placed it on its stand and away from the work surface. Alo have to quickluy add the rudders, props, and screws, which are also all painted, and then finally wire the stand with the switch for the hangar lighting system and place the carrier on its stand. ut that is all the work of a single day, and I also have a couple of other projects to complete before continuiing with my schedule. My Father-in-law drove trucks all of his life...literally for over 60 years. He recently retired from over-the-road work at the age of 82. I am building him a Peterbuilt Conventional Tractor, with a Catepillar 359 Engine in it. it will be all detailed and nicely painted up, including the sleeper, and with the hood aboe to life up and show the detailed engine. This will be my Christmas present to him and so I have to spend all of my time between now and then on that.

Then, once that is complete, it will be on to the USS Lassen (whiose schedule is slipping as a result) and then the two Type 054A PLAN Firgates and so forth as shown below. One day, when I complete the final tidbits on the Enterprise I will add the additional pictures here at the end.

SCHEDULE for Future Activities as of December 17, 2012

<hr>

Once my USS Enterprise, CVN-65, is complete, I will be moving forward with my model building schedule as follows:

- By Jan 15, 2012: Complete the USS Lassen, DDG-82.
- By Feb 15, 2013: Complete PLAN Xuzhao (FFG-53) and Huangshan(FFG-570).
- By Mar 15, 2013: Complete Cyber Hobby's USS Independence, LCS-2
- By May 01, 2013: Complete entire PLAN Carrier Group.
- By Jun 15, 2013: Complete Entire US Carrier Group (Just the CSG).
- By Jul 01, 2013: Start the UK Carrier Group Centered on Airfix's HMS Illustrious.
- By Aug 15, 2013: Start the JMSDF Carrier Group Centered on Fujimi's JMSDF Hyuga.
- By Oct 01, 2013: Start the French Carrier group centered on Heller's Charles de Gaulle.
- By Nov 15, 2013, Start the US ARG centered on the USS Iwo Jima and USS Sommerset.

The completion of the PLAN Carrier group, centered on the already completed

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,(in addition ot the other escorts already completed) will incluide Mini Hobby's's PLAN Guangzhou, DDG-168; the PLAN Ningbo, DDG-139; and the PLAN ChangZhang5, SSN-405 by Hobby Boss. If a 1/350 scale model of the PLAN Type 071 LPD, Yuzhao Class, is added, I will add one of those, propbably LPD-999, Jinggangshan.

The completion of the US Carrier Strike group, centered on the completed

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, (in addition ot the other escorts already completed) will include Trumpeter's USS Bunker Hill, CG-52 and USS Freedom, LCS-1 and Hobby Boss's USS Texas, SSN-775. (All of which I already own). When a 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN-80 (or any Gerald R. Ford Class) comes out from Trumpeter, Airfix, Tamiya, Dragon, or whomever else, I will add it to this group along with another AEGIS Cruiser. Whatever Ford Class coms out, I will build her as the USS Enterprise, CVN-80.

The UK Group will indlude the Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious (which I already own), two Airfix 1/350 scale Daring Class DDGs (which I own and should arrive in January 2013), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Type 23 HMS Duke class Frigates (which I already own), and the Hobby Boss 1/350 scale HMS Astute SSN and Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Tragalgar SSN, both of which which I already own. One day, when a 1/350 scale HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier and a 1/350 HMS Ocean LPD come out, I will add both to this group.

The French CSG will be centered on Heller's 1/400 scale Charles De Gualle (which I already own). I have purchased 1/400 scale Heller French De Grasse, D612 DDG, which is an ASW DDG, the French Duquesne, D603 DDG which is an anti-air multi-purpose DDG, and the French Aconit F713 FFG and Gueprattet F714 FFGs, both of which are Lafayette class frigates. These five vessels will round out my French CSG. As soon as a French Robin class nuclear sub, like the French Perale S606 SSN comes out, I will add that to the group. Also as soon as the Forbin D620, Horizon class anti-air DDG is available, I will purchase it and add it to the group as well.

The Japanese JMSDF group will be centered on Fujimi's very finely detailed, 1/350 scale Hyuga, DDH-181, which I own. It will be escorted by Trumpeter's 1/350 scale DDG-177, Atago, an AEGIS class DDG (which I have purchased), Trumpeters's 1/350 scale DDG-114 Susunami (A Tachanami Class DDG which I own), and by the 1/350 scale SS-503 Hakuryu (which I own), one of Japans new, very modern and capable AIP Diesel Electric submarines. As soo as a DDG-115 Akizuki in 1/350 scale becomes available, I will add it to this group.

The completion of the US ARG will include

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(which I have already completed), Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Iwo Jima LHD-7, Gallery's 1/350 scale USS Sommerset, LPD-25, and Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS The Sullivans DDG-68,

Then, finally it will be a complete Russian CSG (centered on Trumpeter's Kuznetsov which is available but I have not purchased yet) the Russian Slava Class cruiser, Varyag by Trumperter (which I own), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Udalaoy DDGs (which I own), Hobby Boss's Akula II class SSN (which I own), and the

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, which I have already completed.

Recently I purchased Heller's 1/400 scale Foch, the Clemceau Class carrier that was sold to the Brazilians in 2000 and in 2002 was refitted and bacame the Brazilian CV, Sao Paulo, using steam catapaults. I will build the model as the Sao Paulo and thus start a Brazilian group, though the Type 22 DDGs and the FFGs the Brazilians use are not available at present.

Then, again, once the models are available, I'd like to build an Italian Group centered on the Cavour and their Horizon DDGs, a Spanish Group centered on the Juan Carlos and their F-100 AEGIS FFGs, and ultimatly an Australian Group centered on the new Canberra Class LPD and the Hobart class AEGIS DDGs. If they ever build the models, an Indian group centered on either the Vikramaditya or their new ADS Carrier the Vikrant and their Kolkata class DDGs and Shivlak class FFGs would also be nice.

You can see all of these actual carriers, read their histories and specifictions at my site:

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...and most of their surface escorts at:

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Air Force Brat · Dec 18, 2012

Re: Deck equipment built, detailed and placed on1/350 scale USS Enterprise (Complete)

Jeff Head said:
The Build - Building, detailing and placing the deck equipment. Carrier complete (Mostly)(December 16, 2012)

I had a large crain, a fork lift, two fire trucks, five tugs and two fueling trucks to build and p[lace on deck. Putting these together and painting them properly adds significant realism to the carrier deck and its air operations.

I painted a lot of the parts on the sprues in the various colors. A lot of yellow, but alos various grays, orange, black, and some metal/steel.

Once the parts had been painted and dried, I then carefully cut them loose and glued them together. Then touch up paint work was in order, as well as detailing with various additional parts, like the twine for the cable on the crain, small taanks for the fire trucks, and the extended attachement for the aircraft foir the tugs, and the folded versions for those tugs not actively working with aircraft. I decided to hae one of the tugs pulling an S-3 off of the port, aft elevator, and another positioning the E-2C next to the island.

These pictures show the completed equipment in place on deck. The crain is large and located next to the starboard, aft elevator. Several pieces of equipment around the idans, and other parked in convienent locations around the deck.

Here are a few more:

Now, here are a few pictures of the carrier deck, showing some close ups, and then showing the overall carrier, port, starboard and from the fron and aft.

And with that, the carrier is essentially complete. I have all of the antennae painted and ready to place, but did not want to do that before I placed it on its stand and away from the work surface. Alo have to quickluy add the rudders, props, and screws, which are also all painted, and then finally wire the stand with the switch for the hangar lighting system and place the carrier on its stand. ut that is all the work of a single day, and I also have a couple of other projects to complete before continuiing with my schedule. My Father-in-law drove trucks all of his life...literally for over 60 years. He recently retired from over-the-road work at the age of 82. I am building him a Peterbuilt Conventional Tractor, with a Catepillar 359 Engine in it. it will be all detailed and nicely painted up, including the sleeper, and with the hood aboe to life up and show the detailed engine. This will be my Christmas present to him and so I have to spend all of my time between now and then on that.

Then, once that is complete, it will be on to the USS Lassen (whiose schedule is slipping as a result) and then the two Type 054A PLAN Firgates and so forth as shown below. One day, when I complete the final tidbits on the Enterprise I will add the additional pictures here at the end.

SCHEDULE for Future Activities as of December 17, 2012

<hr>

Once my USS Enterprise, CVN-65, is complete, I will be moving forward with my model building schedule as follows:

- By Jan 15, 2012: Complete the USS Lassen, DDG-82.
- By Feb 15, 2013: Complete PLAN Xuzhao (FFG-53) and Huangshan(FFG-570).
- By Mar 15, 2013: Complete Cyber Hobby's USS Independence, LCS-2
- By May 01, 2013: Complete entire PLAN Carrier Group.
- By Jun 15, 2013: Complete Entire US Carrier Group (Just the CSG).
- By Jul 01, 2013: Start the UK Carrier Group Centered on Airfix's HMS Illustrious.
- By Aug 15, 2013: Start the JMSDF Carrier Group Centered on Fujimi's JMSDF Hyuga.
- By Oct 01, 2013: Start the French Carrier group centered on Heller's Charles de Gaulle.
- By Nov 15, 2013, Start the US ARG centered on the USS Iwo Jima and USS Sommerset.

The completion of the PLAN Carrier group, centered on the already completed
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
,(in addition ot the other escorts already completed) will incluide Mini Hobby's's PLAN Guangzhou, DDG-168; the PLAN Ningbo, DDG-139; and the PLAN ChangZhang5, SSN-405 by Hobby Boss. If a 1/350 scale model of the PLAN Type 071 LPD, Yuzhao Class, is added, I will add one of those, propbably LPD-999, Jinggangshan.

The completion of the US Carrier Strike group, centered on the completed
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
, (in addition ot the other escorts already completed) will include Trumpeter's USS Bunker Hill, CG-52 and USS Freedom, LCS-1 and Hobby Boss's USS Texas, SSN-775. (All of which I already own). When a 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN-80 (or any Gerald R. Ford Class) comes out from Trumpeter, Airfix, Tamiya, Dragon, or whomever else, I will add it to this group along with another AEGIS Cruiser. Whatever Ford Class coms out, I will build her as the USS Enterprise, CVN-80.

The UK Group will indlude the Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious (which I already own), two Airfix 1/350 scale Daring Class DDGs (which I own and should arrive in January 2013), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Type 23 HMS Duke class Frigates (which I already own), and the Hobby Boss 1/350 scale HMS Astute SSN and Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Tragalgar SSN, both of which which I already own. One day, when a 1/350 scale HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier and a 1/350 HMS Ocean LPD come out, I will add both to this group.

The French CSG will be centered on Heller's 1/400 scale Charles De Gualle (which I already own). I have purchased 1/400 scale Heller French De Grasse, D612 DDG, which is an ASW DDG, the French Duquesne, D603 DDG which is an anti-air multi-purpose DDG, and the French Aconit F713 FFG and Gueprattet F714 FFGs, both of which are Lafayette class frigates. These five vessels will round out my French CSG. As soon as a French Robin class nuclear sub, like the French Perale S606 SSN comes out, I will add that to the group. Also as soon as the Forbin D620, Horizon class anti-air DDG is available, I will purchase it and add it to the group as well.

The Japanese JMSDF group will be centered on Fujimi's very finely detailed, 1/350 scale Hyuga, DDH-181, which I own. It will be escorted by Trumpeter's 1/350 scale DDG-177, Atago, an AEGIS class DDG (which I have purchased), Trumpeters's 1/350 scale DDG-114 Susunami (A Tachanami Class DDG which I own), and by the 1/350 scale SS-503 Hakuryu (which I own), one of Japans new, very modern and capable AIP Diesel Electric submarines. As soo as a DDG-115 Akizuki in 1/350 scale becomes available, I will add it to this group.

The completion of the US ARG will include
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(which I have already completed), Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Iwo Jima LHD-7, Gallery's 1/350 scale USS Sommerset, LPD-25, and Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS The Sullivans DDG-68,

Then, finally it will be a complete Russian CSG (centered on Trumpeter's Kuznetsov which is available but I have not purchased yet) the Russian Slava Class cruiser, Varyag by Trumperter (which I own), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Udalaoy DDGs (which I own), Hobby Boss's Akula II class SSN (which I own), and the
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
, which I have already completed.

Recently I purchased Heller's 1/400 scale Foch, the Clemceau Class carrier that was sold to the Brazilians in 2000 and in 2002 was refitted and bacame the Brazilian CV, Sao Paulo, using steam catapaults. I will build the model as the Sao Paulo and thus start a Brazilian group, though the Type 22 DDGs and the FFGs the Brazilians use are not available at present.

Then, again, once the models are available, I'd like to build an Italian Group centered on the Cavour and their Horizon DDGs, a Spanish Group centered on the Juan Carlos and their F-100 AEGIS FFGs, and ultimatly an Australian Group centered on the new Canberra Class LPD and the Hobart class AEGIS DDGs. If they ever build the models, an Indian group centered on either the Vikramaditya or their new ADS Carrier the Vikrant and their Kolkata class DDGs and Shivlak class FFGs would also be nice.

You can see all of these actual carriers, read their histories and specifictions at my site:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

...and most of their surface escorts at:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Wow, awesome, I love the twine on the crane, those are things that really add detail and realism to modeling which I love and admire but have little patience for.

Jeff Head · Dec 20, 2012

Re: Deck equipment built, detailed and placed on1/350 scale USS Enterprise (Complete)

Air Force Brat said:
Wow, awesome, I love the twine on the crane, those are things that really add detail and realism to modeling which I love and admire but have little patience for.

Thanks! That's what it takes to get the best look on it.

I have now completed all of the antennae, and the safety webbing around the deck (bow and aft end of the flight deck), and am adding the display stand with the Hangar Deck Switch tonight and will be completely done.

By the way, when responding to posts that have a lot of pictures in it, you may want to consider just keeping some of the text, otherwise, every time the thread loads, it has to load up those pictures multiple times and it really slows things down. You may want to edit that last response and just leave the one pic of the crane or something. Your call, just a little pointer.

Here's my review...now up on Fine Scale Modeler Magazine:

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Jeff Head · Dec 28, 2012

Final touches, deck webbing, stand & hangar bay light switch, props, rudders & screws

With the flight deck equipment complete and added to the flight deck, it was time to finish the few remaining items in order to fully complete the model.

First this involved adding the Photo Etched (PE) webbing around the deck edges. Particulalry on the bow and waist launch points, and along the aft edge of the flight deck and along each elevator. I did this by painting them first and then adding them to each location. Note: Once again, I use quick acting glue for the PE parts, which is very thin (the kind of stuff that will glue your fingers together if you touch some of the glue and then touch two fingers) and then I thicken it up a little with a slight mixture of normal model glue. This has worked well for me in getting the PE parts to dry somewhat quicker and have a more defined base.

These all looked very good as shown below

Then I put together the stand, with the wiring and switch for the hangar bay. As it turned out, the thickness of the 9 vdc batter was a little greater than the height of the stand, so I had to scratch build a holder and then some flat surfaces for the stand at that level so it would all look nice and stand there. I decided to just glue the stand to the bottom of the carrier. At first I was going to wire in some connectors so I could detach the carrier from the stand, but decided this was not needed, so I just glued the stand to the carrier and routed the wire out of the bottom of the carrier, through the stand to a terminal block, and then from that terminal block to the switch and to the battery.

I build a slide in, slide out holder for the battery and use sprue parts (as before) to shore it up and provide additional support for the nex structure.

Here is that assembly:

Finally it was time to add the deck edge antennae (which I located in the lowered position to reflect the ongoing air operations on deck), add the Propos, Rudders, and screws, and then place the entire thing on its stand and check the lights. Once all of that was completed, the carrier, now fully complete, looked really good as shown here:

Now that is the completed Tamiya, 1/350 Scale, USS Enterprise model by Jeff Head.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCHEDULE for Future Activities as of December 27, 2012

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that the USS Enterprise, CVN-65, is complete, I will be moving forward with my model building schedule as follows:

- By Jan 15, 2012: Complete the USS Lassen, DDG-82.
- By Feb 15, 2013: Complete PLAN Xuzhao (FFG-53) and Huangshan(FFG-570).
- By Mar 15, 2013: Complete Cyber Hobby's USS Independence, LCS-2
- By May 01, 2013: Complete entire PLAN Carrier Group.
- By Jun 15, 2013: Complete Entire US Carrier Group (Just the CSG).
- By Jul 01, 2013: Start the UK Carrier Group Centered on Airfix's HMS Illustrious.
- By Aug 15, 2013: Start the JMSDF Carrier Group Centered on Fujimi's JMSDF Hyuga.
- By Oct 01, 2013: Start the French Carrier group centered on Heller's Charles de Gaulle.
- By Nov 15, 2013, Start the US ARG centered on the USS Iwo Jima and USS Sommerset.

The completion of the PLAN Carrier group, centered on the already completed Trumpeter's 1/350 scale PLA Navy's Aircraft Carrier CV-16, Liaoning, (in addition ot the other escorts already completed) will incluide Mini Hobby's's PLAN Guangzhou, DDG-168; the PLAN Ningbo, DDG-139; and the PLAN ChangZhang5, SSN-405 by Hobby Boss. If a 1/350 scale model of the PLAN Type 071 LPD, Yuzhao Class, is added, I will add one of those, propbably LPD-999, Jinggangshan.

The completion of the US Carrier Strike group, centered on the completed Tamyia's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN-65, (in addition ot the other escorts already completed) will include Trumpeter's USS Bunker Hill, CG-52 and USS Freedom, LCS-1 and Hobby Boss's USS Texas, SSN-775. (All of which I already own). When a 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN-80 (or any Gerald R. Ford Class) comes out from Trumpeter, Airfix, Tamiya, Dragon, or whomever else, I will add it to this group along with another AEGIS Cruiser. Whatever Ford Class coms out, I will build her as the USS Enterprise, CVN-80.

The UK Group will indlude the Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious (which I already own), two Airfix 1/350 scale Daring Class DDGs (which I own and should arrive in January 2013), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Type 23 HMS Duke class Frigates (which I already own), and the Hobby Boss 1/350 scale HMS Astute SSN and Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Tragalgar SSN, both of which which I already own. One day, when a 1/350 scale HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier and a 1/350 HMS Ocean LPD come out, I will add both to this group.

The French CSG will be centered on Heller's 1/400 scale Charles De Gualle (which I already own). I have purchased 1/400 scale Heller French De Grasse, D612 DDG, which is an ASW DDG, the French Duquesne, D603 DDG which is an anti-air multi-purpose DDG, and the French Aconit F713 FFG and Gueprattet F714 FFGs, both of which are Lafayette class frigates. These five vessels will round out my French CSG. As soon as a French Robin class nuclear sub, like the French Perale S606 SSN comes out, I will add that to the group. Also as soon as the Forbin D620, Horizon class anti-air DDG is available, I will purchase it and add it to the group as well.

The Japanese JMSDF group will be centered on Fujimi's very finely detailed, 1/350 scale Hyuga, DDH-181, which I own. It will be escorted by Trumpeter's 1/350 scale DDG-177, Atago, an AEGIS class DDG (which I have purchased), Trumpeters's 1/350 scale DDG-114 Susunami (A Tachanami Class DDG which I own), and by the 1/350 scale SS-503 Hakuryu (which I own), one of Japans new, very modern and capable AIP Diesel Electric submarines. As soo as a DDG-115 Akizuki in 1/350 scale becomes available, I will add it to this group.

The completion of the US ARG will include Tamiya's 1/350 scale, USS Iowa, BB-62 (which I have already completed), Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Iwo Jima LHD-7, Gallery's 1/350 scale USS Sommerset, LPD-25, and Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS The Sullivans DDG-68,

Then, finally it will be a complete Russian CSG (centered on Trumpeter's Kuznetsov which is available but I have not purchased yet) the Russian Slava Class cruiser, Varyag by Trumperter (which I own), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Udalaoy DDGs (which I own), Hobby Boss's Akula II class SSN (which I own), and the Russian Alfa Class SSN, which I have already completed.

Recently I purchased Heller's 1/400 scale Foch, the Clemceau Class carrier that was sold to the Brazilians in 2000 and in 2002 was refitted and bacame the Brazilian CV, Sao Paulo, using steam catapaults. I will build the model as the Sao Paulo and thus start a Brazilian group, though the Type 22 DDGs and the FFGs the Brazilians use are not available at present.

Then, again, once the models are available, I'd like to build an Italian Group centered on the Cavour and their Horizon DDGs, a Spanish Group centered on the Juan Carlos and their F-100 AEGIS FFGs, and ultimatly an Australian Group centered on the new Canberra Class LPD and the Hobart class AEGIS DDGs. If they ever build the models, an Indian group centered on either the Vikramaditya or their new ADS Carrier the Vikrant and their Kolkata class DDGs and Shivlak class FFGs would also be nice.

Jeff Head · Dec 28, 2012

Re: My build and review of Tamiya's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN065

Equation said:
Wow...that's remarkable Jeff! Say, what if you need to change the battery for the lighting, how do you access it?

I built a compartment into the stand that holds the battery. You can see it in the last pictures I posted for the final activities and completion of the model. When the 9 vdc battery runs down, I simply turn the model stand over, remove the vertical slider I built for the compartment, orizontally slide the battery out, disconnect it from its leads, and then replace it with a new 9 vdc battery, slide it back in, replace the slider cover, and then turn the stand back over.

Presto! New battery and power supply for the lighting. Here's a pic:

You can see the cover/slider for the compartment (it slides up vertically) there to the left of the battery.

There are more pictures and more details on my

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bd popeye · Jan 5, 2013

Re: My build and review of Tamiya's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, (CVN-65)

Jeff you must have the patience of Job. Excellent work..

One thing. I noticed you have the larger tow tractors in the hanger deck moving aircraft. In reality this would never happen. "spotting dolly's" are use exclusively in the hangar deck. Those larger tow tractors only go to the hanger deck for maintenance in the GSE shop which is at the forward end of the hangar.

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These days this vehicle is painted white.

A/S32A-32 AIRCRAFT TOWING TRAC- TOR.—(The A/S32A-32 Aircraft Towing Tractor , also called "The Spotting Dolly," is designed to tow, turn, and position aircraft within the confines of an aircraft carrier hangar deck.

USS Enterprise, CVN-65, in 1/350 scale, Tamiya Kit #78007

Jeff Head

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Air Force Brat

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The Last Jedi