Quote from: seadude on July 16, 2023, 09:29:45 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 16, 2023, 08:55:03 AMSome of us who don't model ships don't understand what you're trying to do perhaps?

Gee, I thought all my pics were kinda self explanatory?

To a ship modeller, with a passing or better knowledge of modern warship tech, yes. Otherwise, no, not really.

I do comment occasionally but, as you generally have a better idea of where you're going than I do, I don't butt in more than I need to.

Keep up the good work, old son!

Well, the next items on the to-do list were to modify the starboard bow and port bow weapon sponsons. But now those items are on hold for the moment. I was hoping to make each of them slightly larger to incorporate a possible laser defense system and/or a small 8-cell VLS. But I haven't quite figured out a design yet for how big of a sponson I want to have for each side.
Also, I'm not really sure if I can have a laser system and/or VLS in either area due to design issues and lack of spare model parts. If not, I may have to go back to the "old" weapon systems of either Phalanx CIWS, NATO Sea Sparrow missile launchers, and RAM-116 RAM missile launchers.
Since my model stealth carrier is a more advanced carrier which is supposed to be 10-30+ years in the future ahead of the Gerald Ford carrier class, I want to have more advanced defense systems if possible. Phalanx is getting old. I doubt it'll survive much longer in actual service in the next 10 years. RAM is good, but even that may only last till about the 2040's probably. The NATO Sea Sparrow launchers are old too from the 1990's and before.
In short, I hope, and may, only go with either RAM launchers, a laser defense system, and/or VLS for ESSM missiles for both weapon sponson areas.
For right now, I'm still in the decision phase.

I don't comment simply because I've nothing worthwhile to contribute, but I do watch and admire the work involved 

I'd suggest the laser device myself. I don't see how to get a VLS into the sponson. There doesn't seem to be enough room vertically. But then again, I don't know how deep VLS launchers go.

Quote from: kerick on July 17, 2023, 08:15:08 AMI'd suggest the laser device myself. I don't see how to get a VLS into the sponson. There doesn't seem to be enough room vertically. But then again, I don't know how deep VLS launchers go.

Follow along, good Sir, and I shall do my best to explain. Do be a good lad and try to keep up. 
The Mk.41 VLS comes in 3 different sizes (Heights).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_41_Vertical_Launching_System
A VLS module is made up of 8 canisters (2 rows of 4) or "cells" as they are called.
The shortest version is the Self Defense Module at about 209 inches high which would most likely be used for the ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) missiles that carriers mainly use for self defense.
ESSM missiles are 12 feet in length. In 1/350 scale, that equates to about slightly less than 1/2 inch (0.41). They are also about 10 inches in diameter. So 4 of them can be quad-packed into a single canister (Cell). So an 8-cell VLS module could hold a total of 32 ESSM missiles.
The VLS Self Defense Module is 209 inches high as I said. In 1/350 scale, that equates to approx. 0.60 inch. (A tiny bit more than 1/2 inch.).
So the height for a 1/350 scale VLS for ESSM missiles isn't a problem. Designing a new weapon sponsons to incorporate 8-cell VLS's (as well as a laser system or Phalanx CIWS or RAM) on the forward starboard and forward port sides is.
The weapon sponsons do need to be longer and wider. By how much, I don't know yet.

Well you learn something every day, thank you 

And more progress.

Cool!

And more progress.

 

Nice details

I was hoping for something a little better, but I guess this'll have to do.
The added VLS weapon sponsons on the port and starboard bow sides were made with some spare angled model parts plus styrene sheet.
Next up on the to-do list will be adding the aft flight deck port and starboard extensions plus the larger weapon sponsons that go in those two aft areas.
Once that is done, I'll then move to building/adding the bomb farm extension on the amidships flight deck which is located on the starboard side of the island superstructure.

Here's a few "unhidden" images of the stealthy island superstructure I made for my stealth aircraft carrier.
It's only 99.9% done as I still need to add two SPN-46 radars at the back.

The detail you put onto these things is fantastic. Maybe not quite to the insane level that Si (Madhatter) puts into his Star Destroyer builds, but certainly right up there!

Quote from: Old Wombat on July 21, 2023, 07:24:52 AMThe detail you put onto these things is fantastic.

I have to agree. I don't know what most of it is, but it's very impressive