USS Essex by RGL - FINISHED - Trumpeter - 1/350 - PLASTIC - as she appeared in February 1944

[RGL]

I got this second hand  quite cheaply in the suburb next to mine via an online seller. 
 

I’ve yet to purchase the Pontos upgrade set which I’ll order this week. 
 

The reason I’ve nominated Feb 1944 is that it was just before it’s only WW2 upgrade where it recieved it’s dazzle camo and a few other alterations, such as catapults which I can’t replicate and I want to weather her heavily (Sorry). 
 

it’s going to be quite the build as I want to do the interior hangar deck. 

[RGL]

A bit of research 

[RGL]

Just ordered the Pontos set, I’ve also ordered some life rafts plus paravanes. 
 

as usual there is no hull Plate details from Trumpeter so I’ll be painting over and scribing some in. 

[Red Rhino]

Hi RGL: I have this kit in my stash and look forward to following your build.

 

[amateur]

Going to be fun (for us, at least)

 

Jan

[Tigerdvr]

Nice project choice. I've been contemplating a carrier build next. Now I can sit back and enjoy watching 

your worthy efforts.

If I may, what is your impression of the Trumpeter kit?

Thanks, Harley

[RGL]

Harley, it appears to be pretty standard, no great details, smooth hull unfortunately, lots of potential though. Not many aircraft but I’m not sure yet if I’ll fill the flight deck, I think I’ll cut out all of the roller shutters and park planes inside. The Pontos update is only really available via the Korean site Hobbydecal which I’ll post photos of. Like most of these big sets, they’re expensive but replace a lot of the kit parts. 
 

@CDW has built this as well so I can go back to his build for lessons learned 

Edited October 15, 2019 by RGL

[RGL]

The Pontos instructions 

35004f1-page7.pdf 35004f1-page3.pdf 35006f1-page1.pdf 35006f1-page5.pdf

[amateur]

The fingertip in one of those instructions is helpfull

Just for my idea: how large(small) are those airplanes? I guess you can get at least two on your thumbnail?

 

Jan

Edited October 23, 2019 by amateur

[RGL]

Maybe 1?

[schooner]

Should be a great build, looking forward to following along.

[amateur]

Yup, you got my question:)

 

Jan

[RGL]

And it starts. Some fairly prominent mold lines that needed a lot of sanding, offcuts used to hold the pedestals. 

the next level which goes from the waterline to the hangar deck, the centre support struts needed to be broken off to make sure it fits flush with the base. Only a few portholes to drill.  

[SigEp Ziggy]

Can't wait to see more! I plan on kibashing a 1/350 scale USS Hornet into the USS Enterprise someday, I'm sure I can learn some tips and tricks from your build.

[RGL]

So the middle deck joined up and it’s actually flush when you break out the centre struts. 

hangar deck dry fitted and there’s going to be some big gaps. 
 

two bollards have snapped off (it’s a second hand kit so meh, I’ll replace the bollards anyway. 

 

[RGL]

The bow, I’m going to have to replace a fair bit(this is under cover anyways and hard to see) 

 

the gap is huge and you can see from the real thing there are two large holes MISSING from the bow that even have the chafing plates running to them. 

the kit and Pontos don’t include cable reels 

[RGL]

Hangar deck glued down. Seems puttied up. 

[RGL]

Hangar deck. Several hours worth of cutting out all the roller doors. The South Pacific is bloody hot, I imagine at sea the doors would be open as much as possible. I intend on detailing the inside as much as is sensible and park some planes inside.i have to get this level done before I can overspray and etch in the hull plates  

Edited October 23, 2019 by RGL

[yvesvidal]

Fantastic work Greg.

 

Yves

[SigEp Ziggy]

Great work and wonderful research. 

 

Question, to you Greg or any navy guys, I am wanting to model WWII survivors and wanted to know what measure was used for post-war Spring of 1946?

[popeye the sailor]

really nice find Greg!   looks like you have quite a bit to do..........gonna look sweet    look'in forward in seeing more  

[RGL]

So, nothing really fit well so there’s lots of gaps on this level that need fixing. The Pontos set has not arrived yet from Korea but I got extra doors (it appears there are not in the upgrade). 

[RGL]

Hangar deck goes. Lots of putty now needed, then I can start on the hull pleated. Once that is done I can superdetail the hangar deck. 

[yvesvidal]

WOW! that is a big model.

 

Yves

[RGL]

Even without the flight deck it’s longer than the Graf Zeppelin. It’s going to suck up a lot of detail. 

[RGL]

Starting on the hull plates. Nearly a whole roll of masking tape. You can see from this shot of Essex in dry dock in 1945 it’s very subtle and you can hardly see them. There are some attractions or ribs visible but I imagine this would be from the previous 3 years of war service. As I’m doing this early in her service the US Navy dark blue will hardly make it visible. 

[RGL]

As discussed, the hull of the Trumpeter kit is smooth as a baby's bum. This photo of the USS Yorktown in 1943 shows the hull plate details of this class.

 

There is also the catapult that Essex does not have and includes catwalk details Ill need to add.

[RGL]

So, I’ve etched these plates into the hull, they’ll need an  overspray 

[RGL]

So the Pontos set arrived today. A bit of bending to be done. 

[RGL]

So, after market addition will be paravanes, capstans, doors, cable reels, fire hydrants, life rafts, USN life raft rigging, USN Anchors And still quite a bit of scratch building required and lots of bits from spares.