1/700 scale USS Gerald Ford CVN-78 (Modified build)
Goodday to all ,
First and foremost have a blessed holiday season and Happy new year 2019 !
This was my build of the aircraft carrier back in early 2017.
The Overall model kit: Since the Gerald Ford class carriers are still not manufactured by any model kit company the parts are used from various sources to complete the overall new generation U.S Navy carrier. The main hull used was from Trumpeters' USS Abraham Lincoln while the carrier island is pre-order from Shapeways means its 3D printed while other add-ons components such as F-35C and carrier deck crew are from Orange Hobby and Eduard.
The Build: The main body of the Gerald ford has certain various differences in terms of the structural positioning of the deck elevators . The reduction of elevators caused certain modification on the deck and upper hull section. The island is totally 3D-printed via epoxy material which is then attached to the carrier deck to resemble the Gerald Ford carriers. Other components are generic PE railings , netting , Eduards pre-painted crew and F-35C and UAV's as the carrier airwing to be placed on the deck as the diorama scene. Custom water base is made by using modelling paste and liquetex solution for the the shine effect.
Final Conclusion: Overall , its not always easy to build a none existing model giving very limited information regarding its pyhsical form (at the time of build ) , however due to the give circumstances I am satisfied with the overall result and have planned to build another Gerald ford class in the future (CVN-80 most probably) and with more reference now it would be better.
Great looking carrier, Mee Wan! That's a very nice modification you've done.
Well done on the class leader!
Can' wait for the Enterprise to come out. It's sad that the most decorated WWII ship was not saved as a museum.