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Building Trumpeter's 1/350 USS Nimitz.. with some PE of course..


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Hello Everyone.

I decided to build a kit I have had in my stash for a long time now, at least 10 years. So here we go with something you don't see getting built too often, probably because it is so big. Anyway here is the box stuff.

ef295af8-8bd8-4228-b984-99ac48943e8a.jpg

Nimitz20120203.jpg

Nimitz20120202.jpg

Then you open the box and it has lots of sprues in it and it is all held safe from damage using cardboard sheets and boxes. Oh I am sure there will be a review somewhere of what's in the box but this is a build blog and I shall do building right now!

OK. Time for the rest of the update before I go to work. I ordered some PE on Ebay for the ship and got the lovely PE but with photo-copied instructions of another brand's PE..

Nimitz20120204.jpg

Peculiar eh.. but it wasn't very expensive and the PE quality is excellent. Then when I was rattling around in the large box I found this..

151e527c-90a6-45be-a206-5529e7018be2.jpg

Definitely aircraft on this carrier. This next picture may give you some idea of the size of the hull..

Nimitz%201%20%207.jpg

Then how the hull was kept together in the box alomg with cardboard bulkheads etc..

Nimitz%201%20%208.jpg

Then the five metal hull braces..

Nimitz%201%20%209.jpg

..held in place by 10 tiny bolts with nuts on them. There was a bag for these nuts and bolts but even though it appeared to be sealed they were loose in the box and had found their way into other bags which also appeared to be sealed.. weird!

First job was to cut this big chunk of plastic out of the side so you can glue on a sponson..

Nimitz%201%20%2011.jpg

Nimitz%201%20%2012.jpg

Why they didn't just save the plastic and mould it minus that plastic I have no idea. Then it was clamping time to glue in all the massive garage doors on the sides of the ship..

Nimitz%201%20%2013.jpg

This is a typical well moulded Trumpeter kit which is going together like a snap-tie kit at the moment. And that's it for now.

Cheers
Warren

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That's quite a project! Good Luck

Not a very large project compared with the Snowberry. :)

Thanks Sean

I'll definitely be watching this one

I have the kit too, but have not worked up the courage yet

Bruce

Come on Bruce! You can build yours alongside mine. :)

Cheers

Warren

Greetings Everyone.

This afternoon's effort started with removing bits of the hanger deck which you may never see but it is there. I am putting it in to strengthen the hull further. Then I started adding things down the port side. First up were three platforms with mooring parts, including three of these, this one having it's railing added.

Nimitz%201%20%206_1.jpg

Then I added the first piece of PE, a catwalk and railing, etched in one piece..

Nimitz%201%20%203.jpg

Oh yeah, and the first of three Sea Sparrow mounts. The launchers are available from Shapeways but $30 for three tiny launchers doesn't seem to add up to me.. plus postage of course. Veteran Models only produces that later Mk.29 whereas the Nimitz needs the Mk.25 mounts. Think I will give the kit ones a go first.

That's all for now.

Cheers

Warren

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I don't, but it's a good reason to watch The Final Countdown for reference purposes :)

Oh dear.. :)

Still Motion Photographics has DVDs full of hundreds of pics, one example here: http://www.stillmotionsphotographics.com/-/stillmotionsphotographics/gallery.asp?LID=&cat=27957&pID=1&row=15&photoID=13566367

John

Thanks John. But unfortunately that DVD shows the carriers as they were in 2012.. mine is 1975 fit. :)

Nice to see you back in the dry-dock Warren.

Looking forward to this one after your Flower Class Corvette.

Did you miss my Warspite Dave? I must be too speedy.. :)

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Ah a wise guy eh.. this man is full of it,, answers that is. :)

I will investigate the cost and see if it is worth it for me.

Cheers and thank you very much John.

Nice one Warren hope to pick up some more tips from you with this build of yours :popcorn::popcorn:

Beefy

Anytime I can be of help just ask Sir.

:)

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Right Mr Prowler. How long do you predict this one will take (not including wing-things)? :)

I appear to have been murdering kits since 1966.. :)

But that was with much help from my Father as I was only 4 and it was a 1/25 Chevy Impala I think. The first one I ever built on my lonesome (and left finger marks all over it I will bet) was an Airfix 1/72 F-4U Corsair.

What is the next one you want me to build mate? :)

Now for another update. Some more railings. These are on the fantail..

Nimitz%202%20%201.jpg

I think that is what they call the back of an aircraft carrier.. sorry.. stern of the carrier. Then it was time for the hanger deck which will be never seen again..

Nimitz%202%20%202.jpg

Then some safety rails on the edge of the deck on front of the massive garage doors..

Nimitz%202%20%203.jpg

Then some more work on the fantail..



This PE set is not that comprehensive I don't think. I am not 100% sure but I think there should be a railing of some sort around those two platforms. Then it was time to remove the moulded on safety nets..

Nimitz%202%20%2012.jpg

Gone..

Nimitz%202%20%2013.jpg

And the rear of the flight deck has to have them removed as well..

Nimitz%202%20%2014.jpg

Then I had to remove the stairs from these items and a few other moulded in ladders which will be replaced..

Nimitz%202%20%2015.jpg

Then I noticed a few ejector pin marks on this piece.. Oh the humanity!!

Nimitz%202%20%2016.jpg

Nassssty...

Nimitz%202%20%2017.jpg

But like many of jibes levelled at Trumpeter for their kits thses marks are going to be hidden as the part is glued this side up to part of the flight deck. Phew!! That's the part under said clamps..

Nimitz%202%20%2018.jpg

And that's all for now.

Cheers
Warren

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Completion sans air-wing? To be honest, & going on your previous form, End of August. This one AIN'T no Akagi, Which is my current build.

To be honest, This is actually quite a simple kit, the biggest parts-count is in the island, Etch adds to the time, tho. Hence: 6 weeks.....

My 1st solo kit was a Frog Avenger. Or was it a Revell D-558 Skyrocket?

As for your next build, I would hardly presume to suggest..... But since you asked.....

How about either Texas/New York BB's, as pretty much everything is in the box. Cost effective builds?

Or..... HMS Roberts or Abercrombie, Coz they just look weird, But like the above, everythings in the box....

Or.... Zuikaku, coz i can't afford that one yet, & a vicarious build might assuage my needs..

Or..... JFK, For the same reasons...?

(what >would< be next, anyhoo?!?!)

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Nice one Warren keep it going learning lots already

Cheers

Beefy

Will do Sir.

That's a big model ,will be watching ,like it already. :popcorn::popcorn:

Welcome aboard Chewitt, :)

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Completion sans air-wing? To be honest, & going on your previous form, End of August. This one AIN'T no Akagi, Which is my current build.

To be honest, This is actually quite a simple kit, the biggest parts-count is in the island, Etch adds to the time, tho. Hence: 6 weeks.....

My 1st solo kit was a Frog Avenger. Or was it a Revell D-558 Skyrocket?

As for your next build, I would hardly presume to suggest..... But since you asked.....

How about either Texas/New York BB's, as pretty much everything is in the box. Cost effective builds?

Or..... HMS Roberts or Abercrombie, Coz they just look weird, But like the above, everythings in the box....

Or.... Zuikaku, coz i can't afford that one yet, & a vicarious build might assuage my needs..

Or..... JFK, For the same reasons...?

(what >would< be next, anyhoo?!?!)

Hmmm.. I have the New York (WW2 type) but unfortunately I already have the Pontos set for it :)

I have the Roberts and Abercrombie but no PE sets yet..

I have the Fujimi 1/350 Zuikaku DX edition and a wooden deck set and a railings set which means she is ready to go as well.

The JFK is on my list to buy but I have over 115 to choose from so I am waiting for carriers that size to be on special before I get them.

Would you like a list of theships in my stash?

Regards

Warren

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(what >would< be next, anyhoo?!?!)

Hmmm.. I have the New York (WW2 type) but unfortunately I already have the Pontos set for it :)

I have the Roberts and Abercrombie but no PE sets yet..

I have the Fujimi 1/350 Zuikaku DX edition and a wooden deck set and a railings set which means she is ready to go as well.

The JFK is on my list to buy but I have over 115 to choose from so I am waiting for carriers that size to be on special before I get them.

Would you like a list of theships in my stash?

A stash list?!?!??!

Oh, YES please!!!

If you do Zuikaku, at least it won't be another shade of grey! :evil_laugh:

How's Nimitz cookin', anyway?

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Warren, check out 'Sea Forces online', brilliant site with a shed load of Nimitz pics as well as the rest of the fleet. I'd post a link but I don't know how!

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  • 1 month later...

You'really doing a grand job there Warren! I've always fancied building a Nimitz Class but in a much more up to date configuration. I've been hoping Trumpeter would re-release this kit as a one of up to date sister ships. With the advent of the JFK, Kitty Hawk and I believe Constellation, a lot of the parts they would need to do this now exist.

Edited by Whitewolf
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