USS Saratoga

Lost_Erik
👍

Laurens van Holland
Looks promising!

Reaper_lead
It took much longer than I expected, but I am very happy with the result. I was contemplating making some simple tow bars for the aircraft being towed in as displayed, but decided I just wanted to be done with the project.

Paul Moore
Looks very nice. I was on the USS Ranger and this looks like an excellent rendering. I'm using this model and making the Ranger out of it. Where did you get the extra F-14's? Any gouge you'd like to pass on before I start this project?

Thanks,
Paul Moore
Cumming, GA

Reaper_lead
Thanks, and thank you for your service! I got the extra f-14s from shapeways here shapeways.com/produc../grumman-f-14-tomcat

Three bits of advice.
1. This one might be pretty obvious, but paint the hull before you glue down the deck. I didn't, so it was very tricky to paint the inner details.
2. If you don't already have the kit, try to get the newest release from 2018 since there's a ton of flash on the older kits.
3. Before you buy any additional f-14s, try going to revell's spare parts page, and request the additional parts from that kit. They may charge you if you ask for a ton, but the panel lines will match the rest of the kit's f-14s

Reaper_lead
The whip antenna are just .2 mm styrene rods. If you're so inclined, I would heavily recommend the photo etch sheet for this kit

Treehugger
A fun and iconic model like Revell's Type VII submarine. 🙂

I'll try get the 1:700 Trumpeter version myself a bit later. I remember building such a supercarrier model as a kid. I never bothered I think stretching plastic sprues for the many antennas on the sides, but as an adult I can make it work. 🙂

Paul Moore
Thanks so much for taking time to give me that gouge. I really appreciate that. The only PE sheet I'm aware if for this scale is the generic multi-class CV set. Is that what your referring to? I've looked before at that web site you referenced and it was about $60 for 1/542 scale for 12 A-6's and about the same for 12 F-14's. I don't mind forking over for maybe one set, but not 2 sets. Anyway, great idea about the Revell web site for additional aircraft. I'll see what I can come up with.

Reaper_lead
Yeah, that's the one. It's the gold medal models one
REVELL MIDWAY, FORRESTAL, AN..d Medal Models 540-6, 1:542)

Paul Moore
Just went to Revell web site. Due to COVID, not shipping to USA. What typical total COVID BS! Thanks again for the suggestion. I'll try again another time.

Lex Jassies
So nice to see this kit back and as a top build 👍
Got this kit for Christmas when I was 12. Build it but didn't have any paint, so only the decals went on.
Remember that I really loved the box-art with the exotic sail-ships

Reaper_lead
Paul, ignore that message, it's been there for a year but they've sent me stuff anyways multiple times

Paul Moore
Reaper:
Ordered the Gold Medal PE and I'll pursue the Revell lead, again. Thanks! I'll send some pics when it's finished.

Paul

Reaper_lead
Best of luck! One last thing, unless you have the newest released kit, your decals will probably be pretty old and will dissolve, so if you're requesting the aircraft from revell, request the decal sheet from that model as well

Paul Moore
Your filled with lots of good advice! Thanks. I'll definitely do that.

Paul Moore
Reaper - You seem to have more influence with Revell than me. No response at all from them. I'll send them another note. Also, did the Sara have 6 arresting gear wires? Every ship I was on had only four but I never got any traps on the Sara. Awesome build. I still enjoy looking at yours.

Reaper_lead
I never actually looked into the arresting wires. I used sea forces.org for a lot of my reference images
seaforces.org/usnshi..-60-USS-Saratoga.htm

Paul Moore
The Sara definitely had four arresting gear. FYI. Small point to a great looking model.

Paul Moore
I'm using the email: service@revell.de to request parts. Is that what you have used? Thanks again for your assistance.

Paul

Paul Moore
Reaper:

Response from Revell. Quick response but disappointing. Thanks anyway for the suggestion.
Paul

Dear Mr. Moore:

Sorry, the model and parts are sold out since 2010.

Spare parts or Decals are not longer on stock for this model.

Reaper_lead
I was using the form they have on their website, but I believe that was the email address they used to respond. Did you provide them the new kit number? If not, try with this one. It's the same mold, so numbers should be the same
USS Forrestal (Revell 05156, 1:542)

Paul Moore
Good idea! Thanks.