USS Enterprise (CV-6) by PvG Aussie - FINISHED - I Love Kit - 1/350 Scale - PLASTIC

[PvG Aussie]

The USS Enterprise (CVN-65), previously designated as CVA(N)-65, is a retired aircraft carrier of the United States Navy.

Launched in 1958, it was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth naval vessel of the United States to carry the name Enterprise. She is nicknamed "Big E". At 1,123 feet (342 m), she is the longest naval vessel ever built. (Wikipedia)

[PvG Aussie]

I have changed to the WWII USS (CV-6) Enterprise focusing on the time of the Battle of Midway in June 1942. 

The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was a Yorktown-class carrier built for the United States Navy during the 1930s. She was the seventh U.S. Navy vessel of that name. Colloquially she was called "The Big E" served with unparalleled distinction in WW II and was the most decorated ship of that war. (Wikipedia)

Edited September 10 by PvG Aussie

[Jman8763]

Good luck with your build! I'm working on the trumpeter 1/350 USS Essex! If you need any help or advice please let me know! Cant wait to see progress updates on your build! 

[ddp]

even tho it is a different ship, the Yorktown was the lead ship of the class that the Enterprise & Hornet was part of.

CV-5 USS Yorktown Booklet of General Plans (1940) https://archive.org/details/cv5bogp1940

https://www.navsource.org/archives/02/06.htm

http://www.cv6.org/ship/big_e.htm

Edited September 10 by ddp

[PvG Aussie]

Thanks @Jman8763 and @ddp for your help. I'm finding so much information on the internet about the CV6 that I'm having to focus on one period (mid 1942) in order to set a standard. 🤔 It really is an amazing ship! 

Cheers, Peter

[ddp]

what aircraft & armament comes in the kit to see what time period the kit represents?

[Landlubber Mike]

Hey Peter, I'm in for this one.  I've got the kit in the stash with the Pontos upgrade set.  Looking forward to seeing you work your magic on it!

[PvG Aussie]

Welcome on board Mike. I'm sure it is going to take quite some time but should be interesting as I have also ordered the Pontos set.

Cheers, 

Peter           👍

[PvG Aussie]

@ddp You will have to wait till the kit arrives, but I think the aircraft are Grumman F4F Wildcats, Douglas SBD Dauntless and Douglas TBD Devastators. 

Peter  🛩️

 

 

[Jman8763]

13 hours ago, PvG Aussie said:

Thanks @Jman8763 and @ddp for your help. I'm finding so much information on the internet about the CV6 that I'm having to focus on one period (mid 1942) in order to set a standard. 🤔 It really is an amazing ship! 

Cheers, Peter

 

Are you going for battle of Midway? For me my time frame for my Essex is summer of 45. The big E was a great ship and it was a shame she got scrapped. 

[Landlubber Mike]

If you're really a masochist, Infini makes a nice upgrade set for the aircraft:

 

Edited September 12 by Landlubber Mike

[PvG Aussie]

4 hours ago, Jman8763 said:

Are you going for battle of Midway?

I would like to do Midway but all numbers and insignia were removed at that time and I would like to use the decals I am likely to receive. The most significant would be "The Big E".

 

[PvG Aussie]

1 hour ago, Landlubber Mike said:

Infini makes a nice upgrade set for the aircraft

I'm already one step ahead of you Mike, I ordered it the other day. 😁 Cheers, P

[Canute]

Your supposition of the aircraft is spot on, Peter. Double-check the stars and bars insignia. I think they were using a red outline in that time frame, in lieu of the red dot in the center of the star. Red dot could have been misconstrued as a Japanese himomaru aka "meatball".

[PvG Aussie]

Thanks Ken @Canute, I will check this. Great save if they are 'meatballs'.

Cheers, Peter

[ddp]

according to this link https://www.navsource.org/archives/02/020551.mp4 it is a white star in a dark blue circle.

[PvG Aussie]

6 hours ago, ddp said:

according to this link https://www.navsource.org/archives/02/020551.mp4 it is a white star in a dark blue circle.

The evidence is there @ddp but check this out. Now I'm very confused! 🤔

Cheers,

Peter

[ddp]

your picture is in May wereas the video i linked was during the Midway battle so plenty of time to paint the red meatball white. i think you can see white painted centers but not certain because of the video quality.

[PvG Aussie]

I just found an unboxing video of this model and, guess what? The aircraft decals have a white star in a blue circle!

 

Cheers,

😁

 

[PvG Aussie]

While I'm waiting for deliveries, I thought I would fill you in on what I have ordered for this build;

• 1/350 scale, USS Enterprise (CV-6) - I Love Kit
• Pontos 37031FB 1/350 USS CV-6 Enterprise 1942 Detail Set w/Blue Deck
• 2 Decal sets from Bell Cube Set 1 Set 2
• 2 sets of Naval figures Set 1 Set 2
• 20 extra planes
• A Photo Etch Cut-Off Set 
• Photo Etched parts Bender
• Paints 
• etc.

Add it all up and you will see how the original model kit is only a quarter of the total cost of what should be an exceptional model.  My Admiral knows and has said OK. 💖

 

Things should start to arrive tomorrow!  

Cheers,

Peter

 

Ps. From now on I'm going to give a total time of build or research. Time of build to date 72.5 hours

[PvG Aussie]

The kit arrived today!   

 

Now we can make a real start.            

 

The box contents:

• 17xPlastic sprues A-T (grey)
• 5x Photoetched frets (yellow)
•   One piece hull (grey)
•   6x deck sections (grey)
• 1x Decal sheet (waterslide) Waterslide
• 1x Instructions (Paper) (white)

 

For a 19 minute unboxing courtesy of 'Maddog Merv' just click here.

 

I will be starting with the hull piece, and

• checking and repairing faults like flashing, seams, etc
• drilling out the portholes
• adding any kit PE
• waiting and adding any PE from the Pontos Detail Set when it arrives
• painting

(Build time to date 76 hours)

 

Cheers,

 

Edited September 17 by PvG Aussie

[PvG Aussie]

The postie was very busy yesterday because I received all the rest of my goodies, namely:

• Pontos 37031FB 1/350 USS CV-6 Enterprise 1942 Detail Set w/Blue Deck
• 2 Decal sets from Bell Cube Set 1 Set 2
• 2 sets of Naval figures Set 1 Set 2
• 20 extra planes
• A Photo Etch Cut-Off Set 
• Photo Etched parts Bender

The Pontos set contained the following:

 (Nigel's Modelling Bench does a one hour 27-minute review of the 1/200 scale kit. Go here if you have the time!)

 

What amased me about the Pontos set and all the other gear, was the tiny size of everything. I'm sure to either go blind or crazy, or both!  🤪 

 

In the meantime, I've achieved a lot today.

I checked and repaired faults like flashing, seams, etc.

There was a little raised seam down the centre under the hull and a little flashing on the bow.

(That's how we spell centre 'down under'. 🦘)

 

I drilled out the portholes, which had an immediate impact. (Only broke one drill bit!)

Added the degaussing cable right around the ship.

 

 

Even added the name!

 

and finally finished with the rudder and screws.

 

Tomorrow, I paint the hull, plus ...

(Build time to date 81 hours)

Thanks for the interest in this build and the 👍

Cheers,

Edited September 19 by PvG Aussie

[Landlubber Mike]

Looking good, nice start!  The Pontos set is really comprehensive for sure.

[ddp]

PvG Aussie, you have the ship's props in the wrong locations as 1 side spins clockwise & the otherside spins counter-clockwise, not the way you have it right now. also i would leave the props off til the end due to possible handling accidents while building the model.

does the plating of the hull in this link https://www.navsource.org/archives/02/0206apa.jpg look like yours?

model's bow at the waterline is not slim enough & hull plating overscaled  compared to this link https://www.navsource.org/archives/02/020842a.jpg of the USS Hornet, sistership of the Enterprise.

Edited September 18 by ddp

[PvG Aussie]

I had a good day today. The hull is nearly finished after I ...

used these paints,

 

and primed the whole hull with the Surfacer Grey.

I re-primed above the boot stripe using the Surfacer Black and tried to marble

the Haze Grey onto the panels, but that didn't work so I greyed areas to later show a motley finish.

 

 

That looked fine when I added the Sea Blue.

 

I then used a Tamiya Hull Red XF-9 to do the bottom section.

Yes, I did remove the screws and shafts thanks to @ddp's advice.

The next image also shows how the upper hull deliberately looks patchy.

 

(Build time to date is 87.5 hours)

Tomorrow I'll paint the boot stripe, clear coat and possibly weather the hull.

Ps. Should I paint the degaussing cable a slightly lighter colour to make it stand out a little?

 

Cheers,

Edited September 20 by PvG Aussie

[ddp]

when you re-install the props & shafts, paint the shafts the same color as the lower hull & the props, a bronze color. 

[PvG Aussie]

G'day folks,

A fun day was had today!

😣

I started with three attempts to get the degaussing cables right.

I settled on a diluted black. Which I think came out all right.

 

Then I dressed up the hull, for the boot stripe,

which also came out well.

 

I primed the hanger deck and did some 'spotting'.

 

Finally cleaned up the 'Enterprise' on the stern. Bloody tiny!

 

I did weather the hull, but it needs a lot more attention before I show you.  😝

(Build time to date is 92 hours)

 

I might finish the weathering tomorrow and start on a dry fit of the hanger deck.

Thanks for tuning in and the 👍s and my first Enterprise 😮.

Cheers,

 

 

 

Edited September 20 by PvG Aussie

[PvG Aussie]

Friday to Monday (Today) has been very productive!

Finally finished weathering the hull except for the rust,

which I will add when the superstructure and top deck is added.

I watched the movie "Midway", and it indicated that I needed to make a mess!

 

I used:

 

Then the fun started! PE on the fore and stern deck.

The game of 'flick and find' was the order of the day,

as was the use of my magnifying light.   😵

  

 

I would NOT recommend 'SMS ETCH PRIMER' as it was terrible to spray.

It just created 'spider webs' which need to be cleaned off.

(Yes, I did add Retarder Medium)

 

Spray painting and weathering was next, using:

 

which resulted in:

 

Note the drawing pin. Just to keep things in perspective!

(Build time to date is 109.5 hours)

 

Thanks again for the support!

Cheers,

 

[PvG Aussie]

Today was a great day for the short sighted!

 

I managed to make eight 5in Single Guns.

 

And did some magic!

I turned the tiniest pieces

(many I could not even pick up with the finest tweezers), 🤪

 

into four 40mm Quad Bofors!

 

No, that's not a 6" nail! It's my usual pin. 🔨

I haven't even got a headache even though all guns averaged 35 minutes to make.

Tomorrow I will hopefully build forty-nine 20mm Oerlikons and a 1.1in Quad Gun.

That will finish all the guns. 👏

(Build time to date is 117 hours)

G'day to all those following this build. It's bloody small but very rewarding.

Cheers,

 

[Canute]

Peter, take frequent breaks to rest your eyes. Or else you'll go cross-eyed. 😉