Subject: SMML23/12/97VOL037 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEX. 1: Big E 2: CVN70 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Greg Subject: Big E, Ben Lankford wrote; >> Maybe I can answer some of my own questions. I worked for the Navy Department for 33 years and started out designing the structure on Aircraft Carriers. I worked on the Enterprise. I designed the decks, transverse bents, torpedo side protection system, and many other aspects of the ship. In those days at the Navy Department we farmed in engineering help from the Newport News shipyard. Together, we turned out some mighty fine structures for Navy ships. << You sure did Ben, some of the U.S. Carriers I feel are amongst the most beautiful vessels ever to sail the seas. Getting back to your question of the Revell E and the Tamiya E, the obvious answer to most of us would be Tamiya's 1/350 - but having built the Revell to completion and the Tamiya to about CVN-65% :-) I wouldn't be so quick to state. The Tamiya Kit is absolutely fantastic - to me it is the escence of what model building is all about, its extremely detailed, has a beautiful airwing (although some aircraft are no longer used), you could slap it together in a month and be done with it, or you could do what most of us here are doing and dedicate Years of our lifes to churning out a true masterpiece. Its Truly what you make it, your efforts are well reflected in this baby! If you slap her together, it shows, if you super detail, it shows! With P/E, Scratch-built Hangar Bay, and a bag full of other corrections and developments, It can truly be THE most awesome model in your collection. The Revell kit is also extremely workeable, straight out of the box it may appear a little crude, and poorly detailed, but with the magic touch, and the 60's configuration, its quiet a talking point. The dome on the Bridge is by far the most distinctive feature (DOI - Tell us something we don't know Greg!), Althought the dome radar equipment is sus. The Larger panels are plastic and glue on, but the smaller are in printed decal form, which is not so good! I built mine OOTB (GMM was not around back then as far as I know, but even if It was, there was no way I could know about it) and It is still one of my favs. I have been thinking about bringing her in for a re-fit, I am not sure if there is any P/E available for this one? Although its a bit smaller than the Tamiya, you could still go mad in the Hangar, you will have to cut the doors out of it, and for the Tamiya, No1 door is moulded in so you might want to cut that out if you go that way, Flight deck numbers and markings are included in The Revell kit, But I must Say, Mr Tamiya left out a thing or 6 in the decal dept, lots of painting here, Although all is not lost, GMM have a set of Decals which provides you with some elevator Markings (Red/Yellows) and some E's and other decorations, but still no BIG WHITE 65 for the bow, Revells aircraft are fit for the bin, But Tamiya's are very good for the scale, and With GMMs Decals can be extraordinary, especially if you go with High Vizability colorings - WOW!!! Overall - I would suggest you have a good think about what Part of Big E's career you want to depict her in, Examine your Budget quiet closely (Tamiya E Might Upset your Bank Balance considerably) Have a look at GMM's 1/400 U.S Naval Ship Kit to see whats in there (From the top of my head, I think this is all they can do for you), look at how long you want your construction to take, your free time and schedule, and if you want it to be your model to end all models, or Just a fair depiction of a beautiful warship, perhaps if your In the experimental stages and intend to go all out when your more skilled, (I have been waiting for that day to come for nearly 26 years now :-) And make your decision from there! Good Luck! Greg P.S. If you do go with Tamiya, I would be very interested in hearing your opinions of what is incorrect on her, Especially with the Hull and Island! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Greg Subject: CVN - 70 Hey, I have just been e-mailing with a friend of mine at PSNS, who worked on the Vinson during Her last fit a few months ago, and we got onto the subject of hull colour, now we both stated we have heard rumours that The Vinson is Green Below the Waterline? Can Anybody say for sure? I Know the Japanese experimented with Green 60 yrs ago, but I thought the U.S. Navy would have got over that long before the Nimitz Class? Greg ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume