1:350 USS Carl Vinson Project

[Wolfman_63]

As promised, Here are pictures of the new work bench.

I had a small wooden drafting/hobby desk. Worked great for about 10 years. For Christmas my Wife bought me a new one. It's 35% larger surface area and steel supports so it is very stable. Used it the first time last night working on 1/350 A-6E's for my Vinson project.


Here is what I used for 10+ years:





Here are pictures of my new one. I like the tray in front. Very handy.




Here is one of the new large Xacto self-healing mats:







And here is it in use:




Now plenty of room to build:

[Wolfman_63]

The A-6E's are completed and now on the flight deck. Starting the A-7E's. Just have 16 of the A-7E's and 16 of the F-14's left to do. I was hoping to finish by today but doing 1/350 scale aircraft is a longer process than I estimated. Just hit 712 hours into this project and estimate about 40 more hours to go to complete. Here are the pictures of the A-6E's on deck.

[f-15ERJ145]

Looks like it would float

[Eddie M.]

Are you going to add the deck edge markings and hose reels in the catwalks?

[Rory]

Looking good, an amazing build.

Yellow sellotape , is that Kapton tape perchance?

[Wolfman_63]

Originally Posted by Eddie M.

Are you going to add the deck edge markings and hose reels in the catwalks?

There are hose reels already in catwalks. Which deck edge markings are you referring to?

[Wolfman_63]

Originally Posted by Rory

Looking good, an amazing build.

Yellow sellotape , is that Kapton tape perchance?

Yes it is Kapton tape. I use it for masking on models as well. been using it for many years.

[Eddie M.]

Originally Posted by Wolfman_63

There are hose reels already in catwalks. Which deck edge markings are you referring to?

I was in Crash so firefighting was my thing. There are green AFFF hose reels all along the catwalks as well as either boxes or baskets for 2 1/2 hose AFFF and salt water stations. I was never stationed on a Nimitz class, but I'll say there's somewhere in the neighborhood of at least 20 stations along the deck and island. The deck edge markings of red, green and purple are what I was speaking of. There are also ordinance jettison ramps, but that might be too small to deal with.

[Eddie M.]

https://arffports.files.wordpress.co...e_stations.png

http://www.midwaysailor.com/eddiemiller/fda-005b.jpg

[Eddie M.]

I'd also like to add that my observation was not meant to be critical of your work. On the contrary. I think this is museum quality work.

[Wolfman_63]

As I head down the final stretch of this long detailed build, The A-7E's from VA-105 and VA-37 are done and sitting on the bow. All that is left to do is the F-14's from VF-51 and VF-111. Here are the pictures:

[Wolfman_63]

I have completed the F-14’s and mounted the aircraft to the flight deck. The model is complete.

I am waiting for the display case to arrive. I will then attach the screws (propellers for the non-nautical folks) when I attach the model to the display case base and run the wiring. This project has been a challenge but a fun build.

I would like to thank all those that followed this build over the past 9 months and all the comments, and critiques you have provided. Build time for this has been 777 hours. Started it on April 23, 2017 and finished January 21, 2018.

The display case is on its way and should be here this week. I will post final pictures next weekend.

I hope you all have enjoyed this build.

[Wolfman_63]

Here are the final pictures. I want to make a special note to Ron at http://www.grandpascabinets.com/model-display-kits/

His display case is awesome. The fit and finish are first class.

If you ever need a display case I highly recommend him.

Thanks again for following me through this project. I hope it has inspired others to not be afraid to take on a large project.

[f-15ERJ145]

Bravo sir!!! I'll bet that it will float

[Wolfman_63]

I had a friend who owns his own photography business stop by and take some hi-res professional shots. (he took over 200!)
All these photo's are from Andy Schneider Photography. (click on picture to zoom in)

[willieself]

Everytime I check this thread I am left in awe...Congrats on a museum quality build!!!

[Wolfman_63]

For those interested in lighting their ship models, I wrote a "How To" article for Flagship Models.



Coming very soon from Flagship Models Inc. is our latest "How To" ship modeling CD. With so many model ships showing up here and at shows with LED lighting installed, we have been getting lots of requests for a new CD to explain how it's done. Dave Kopielski just completed one the most extensively lit carrier models yet and is the subject of our next how to CD. Check out our web site for the latest details at: www.flagshipmodels.com

[Wolfman_63]

I created a website so I have all my projects and builds in one location and makes it easier to link photo's.

For this project you can see all the build photo's at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-...s-carl-vinson/

and all the final photo's at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/galler...inson-project/

[Wolfman_63]

If you are an IPMS member, You can now read about all the work it took to create my USS Carl Vinson Project. You can see all the build photo's at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-...s-carl-vinson/ and all the completed photo's at https://davidsscalemodels.com/galler...inson-project/

[Wolfman_63]

I entered my 1/350 USS Carl Vinson at the Butch O’Hare IPMS Chapter Show.
I won a gold medal and “Best U.S. Navy” Plaque for my model.