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USS Forrestal

"New MSW crew-mate Kostas Katseas (angeleyes) shares his first submission, Italeri Models' 1/720 scale USS Forrestal, in this "On Display" Feature!"

the model...

Base Kit- Italieri Models, 1/720 scale USS Forrestal, kit #IT0510

This build was meant to be a simple, fun project as a break from WW2 and WW1 subjects. which are my main interest.

I didn't do any research for the build at all, I just built it up from the box, and adding of course the nessesary PE upgrades, and some small details, as the kit out of the box is far to bare by todays standards.

I have painted the planes overall grey as a low vis camo scheme (I must admit am too lazy to paint planes in more than one color ,never mind puting decals on!). I did however give them new landing gear and swept back after cutting and regluing the Tomcat wings.

Although I am not a big fan of modern stuff, I do love the modern era aircraft carriers...they have the potential to become very exciting and detailed models due to their size and complexity!

the vessel...

USS FORRESTAL was the first "super - carrier" in the world. She was the lead ship of the FORRESTAL class of which all four carriers have been decommissioned during the 1990th.

After decommissioning, the USS FORRESTAL was used as parts hulk for the other active carriers. Currently, the FORRESTAL is berthed at the Naval Station in Newport, RI., and since, the USS FORRESTAL Museum Inc. tried to purchase the carrier for use as a museum ship in Baltimore, Md. However, the Navy was unwilling to donate the carrier and has already awarded contracts to clean up the FORRESTAL in preparation for a SinkEx.

General Characteristics:
Awarded: July 12, 1951
Keel laid: July 14, 1952
Launched: December 11, 1954
Commissioned: October 1, 1955
Decommissioned: September 11, 1993
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.
Propulsion system: eight boilers
Rudders: two
Propellers: four
Blades on each Propeller: five
Aircraft elevators: four
Catapults: four
Arresting gear cables: four
Length, overall: 1,063 feet (324 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 250,3 feet (76.3 meters)
Beam: 129 feet (39.3 meters)
Draft: 37,7 feet (11.3 meters)
Displacement: approx. 78,200 tons full load
Speed: 30+ knots
Planes: approx. 85
Crew: Ship: approx. 2,700 Air Wing: 2,480
Armament: three Mk 29 NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, three 20mm Phalanx CIWS Mk 15



For more information on the USS Forrestal, visit navysite.de.