Wanted: Revell 1-480 (?) USS Enterprise

[sequoiaranger]

Decades ago I made a competent, but simple, model of the USS Enterprise for my dad, who was aboard the Enterprise for all the 1942 carrier battles.

My dad passed away a few years ago, but I have "his" model Enterprise on my mantle-piece. I am hoping to "upgrade" the model with some special items, but because I might have to tear off some parts, I would like to have a "backup" model if I make any mistakes (who, ME make mistakes???).

Revell made this kit a long time ago, but I hope it is still around. I shopped the Internet but was unable to come up with one.  I hope you can help. The kit was also made as the Yorktown, I believe. That would be fine if you have that one instead.

BTW, the "upgrade" I am considering is making the model Enterprise flight deck out of wood from the ORIGINAL CV-6 flight deck. Yes, you read that correctly. I have a block of actual Enterprise flight deck that was salvaged from the USS Enterprise as she was being broken up in the mid-1950's.

[Thorvic]

PM sent

(EKFG stikes again.... )

[sequoiaranger]

A guy in Greece sent me one. The hull got crushed in transit (no reinforcement to the kit box--that's two in a row. What is it with Greek ship guys?) but is repairable. About $35 USD.

The 1/487 kit (erroneously reported as 1/480, and marked on the box as 1/540) comes with stern decals for any of the three "Yorktowns", and nameplates as well. Some of the differences between the three are noted and parts furnished, but some are not (f'rinstance, the squared-off forward flight deck of the Hornet). I'm building the USS Enterprise anyway.

Unfortunately, the kit is equipped with quad 40mm (none of the Yorktowns at Midway had these, yet---they were all the "Chicago Piano" 1.1's), so I will have to cut them down a bit to have the four guns equally spaced so as to appear like the 1.1's. The only aircraft included is/are SBD Dauntlesses, so my timeframe will be late on the 4th of June, 1942,  when the dive bombers took off to finish off the Hiryu (last of the four Japanese carriers sunk that day).

There are a few other projects prioritized earlier in the "pipeline" to finish first.

Thanks to all that thought of me or were looking for kits for me!

[Thorvic]

You can get some other suitable aircraft types :=

http://www.starfighter-decals.com/white-ensign-resin-aircraft.html

and decals:-

http://www.starfighter-decals.com/1480-scale-de.html

Which might help with the build

Cheers

Geoff

[sequoiaranger]

I sent away for a set of two TBD's and two F4F's. I will still have the SBD's on deck and taking off, but a viewer of my display will be able to see a TBD (a few of Torpedo 6's TBD's came back from the attack on the Japanese carriers--ONLY a few) and F4F on the hangar deck with wings folded, just to have all the representative aircraft on board.

Thanks Thorvic. The extra aircraft types will enhance my model.

[PR19_Kit]

Sequoiaranger  ,

I just read this thread for the first time.

I'm just blown away by the thought of you re-building your Dad's model 'USS Enterprise' with a wood deck from the REAL 'Big E'! What' a fantastic idea, well done indeed. 

[sequoiaranger]

>I'm just blown away by the thought of you re-building your Dad's model 'USS Enterprise' with a wood deck from the REAL 'Big E'! What' a fantastic idea,<

Thanks. I hope I can get some cabinet-maker to make thin sheets from the block I have (blocks now---I acquired a few more so I can afford "wastage") without too much hassle or costs.

My father re-visited the USS Enterprise as she was being broken up (one of the greatest shames of our country's naval tradition not to have memorialized her), and said he was in tears as he walked off her, knowing she was being destroyed. As with many young men, trials of danger shared with "mates" makes a lasting impression. He firmly associated himself with the USS Enterprise and delighted in the fact that I made him that model.

I **KNOW** he would be immensely pleased to know that parts of his old Enterprise would find their way into my living room. I only wish the Enterprise wood had been available while he was alive [the US Naval Historical Center had warehoused blocks of salvaged Enterprise deck for "plankowners"--those original crewmembers.  So many have died off without claiming their block that there were dozens of leftover blocks, so they recently made them available to the USS Enterprise Association strictly for keepsakes], and he could have touched his dear old ship again (getting misty here, sorry). But....**I** will have that pleasure and remember him fondly.

[PR19_Kit]

(getting misty here, sorry). But....**I** will have that pleasure and remember him fondly.

Don't worry about that please. I built my Dad a model of his favourite aircraft, a 4 (AC) Squadron Hawker Audax, for his 80th birthday, and he almost broke down when I presented it to him. Since then he's passed on, but my Mum still has the Audax in its case on her sideboard, and I get a bit emotional every time I see it even now.

It's one way our hobby can connect to the history that's gone before us.

[NARSES2]

Wonderfull idea and a great tribute. When I build real world stuff there is always the thought around somewhere in what passes for a brain nowadays that I am building something that commemorates history.

[Barry Krell]

When trying to break apart the Enterprise, you could try bunging it in the freezer!  Apparently, it breaks down the old glue and makes it easier to come apart.

I've only heard about this trick, I've never actually tried it.