Progress
Comments
Martin von SchreckensteinI finally managed to spray the hangar. With the basic details on the deck complete, I will be able to finally put the two pieces together and seal the deal with the elevator. Looking forward to starting with all the details, the kit looks pretty basic right now.
Martin von SchreckensteinThe deck is now on the hull. The details I am adding are mostly inaccurate, sadly. Gotta use up those PE parts. Putting the 1/700 crewmen on will be fun
Martin von SchreckensteinAfter going mad several times from gluing the railings, the LSO post, rigging and stern lights are the last details separating me from the last and most anticipated build part. The small crewmen. The tiny metal sailors are overjoyed about hopping aboard their ship soon.
Martin von SchreckensteinCasting the Trackers/Tracers. Depending on how they go I am thinking of replacing the Greyhounds entirely to have the scene more accurate.
Martin von SchreckensteinThe casting wasn't looking well so I opted for the Greyhounds. I am slowly adding the tiny figures with the tower and the left side of the hull remaining. After that, its only the rigging.
Andrew PNice, clean build on your carrier. I like the activity.
One thing, though: I don't think Antietam ever operated with C-2s. Even if she did, she wouldn't have carried more than one or two at a time. Don't forget, they are utility aircraft, only used for COD (not for strike), and not a normal part of the airwing. Carriers typically deployed with a 2-plane detachment from the shore-based squadron.
Martin von SchreckensteinThank you Andrew. I know, I just wanted to make the deck super busy and C-2s were the only things I could find in large numbers.. I found out later that there are like 60% of all Greyhounds ever built on that deck.. Oh well.. It looks nice🙂
Andrew PIn that case, let's just pretend that VRC-40 was out in force doing squadron-level carrier refresher training on CV-36! She does look nice. 🙂
Martin von SchreckensteinHaha, yes Andrew. That was my reasoning. A crowded deck ops exercise. Thank you for your kind words.
Album info
With every minute of work, I am departing any semblance of historical accuracy. With Antietam being the most advanced Essex class ship available in 1/700 it had to suffice in my desire to build a modern Essex. Having been a testing ship for a variety of deck setups and with most of these setup documentation not quite available, I have decided to get as close to SCB-125 as possible without having to scratchbuild the most obvious details (like additional/different elevators or modern bow). I was only able to get the A-3D and C-2 planes as the most accurate while still not accurate.
I am shooting for some sort of a heavy deckload operation exercise with fitting as many large aircraft on the deck as possible and the small aircraft hidden in the hangar below. The large planes will all be on the deck as they are too big to fit onto any of the elevators in the setup I am using.
All the guns are removed (accurate) even the twin 4in towers (inaccurate) to make space for the aircraft.
