hello all,
Miss Mary got me a new ship model for going to rehab and not being a pain about it about it.
it is the USS Lexington CV2 05/1942 in 1/350 scale by Trumpeter.
does anyone know if this kit has any problems with it?it is a very big model,and comes with planes.
i have also came across a reference in a Jane's Fighting Ships published 1946 that said the the USS Enterprise had a catapult on the hanger deck that could launch planes off the hanger deck.has anyone else found any info about this?
Have a Safe and Fun New Year.
cheers,
Bruce

Congrats on the kit Bruce, and your good behavior. I have no experience with the kit, so I can't weigh in there. As far as your Enterprise question, yes, all three Yorktown class carriers had a flight deck catapult. They also had the capability of steaming at high speed in reverse and launching off the rear of the flight deck.

Kenny

hello Kenny,
i hope all's well with you and your family.the kit is huge,the box is 2'8"long and 10"wide.the hull is about 2'6" long.this is going to be a huge model when it is done.
thanks for the info,in the book i quoted it stated that the launches could be done at the same time,so i looks like that they could catapult from the bow on both the flight deck and the hanger deck.i wonder if it is the same for the USS Yorktown and the USS Lexington.
thanks for your info,i think that Mark will want a review of the Kit.
cheers,
Bruce

From what I've read, while the carriers had catapults on the flight deck, the captains and air bosses preferred to allow the aircraft to take off using their own power. This practice was carried on to the Essex class also. I believe the hanger deck catapult was last resort or emergency system only.

Not to change the subject matter, I also recieved a new kit. B-25b Mitchell. I've been looking for it for awhile and my wifey found it at Megahobby.

hello all,
@Kenny,
it is just interesting that they had a catapult on the hanger deck.one of the little things about ships i did not know about.
@Frank,
what scale is your new plane? i have a B-17G in 1/48 scale,and the model is,to say, "large".
cheers,
Bruce

Good score Bruce!
couple sites with build blogs/reviews:

http://www.blurmodeler.blog-city.com/trumpeter_uss_lexington_cv2_part_i.htm

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/cv/cv-02/350-cs/cs-index.html

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/lexingtonrc_1.htm

Bruce:

I built the kit a couple of years back. I wrote an article about backdating it to just prior to Pearl Harbor configuration. The kit is how she was when she was sunk in May of 42. It IS a great kit there is like I said ways you can backdate a bit or a lot or she is just fine to build as is. I know Toms makes a PE set for her. I don't recall any problems that caused special attention to during build.

Hi Bruce!

Good gift indeed. I have a couple unbuilt as well, though I am mystified why Trumpy hasn't released a late-war Saratoga?

--Karl

hello all,
thanks for all your info.this model is a 2010 build or sooner if there is a Carrier GB.the only thing i do not like about it are the planes.they are very small and you have to put them together.the carpet monster is going to be feed.
the best thing about it is i got it for 50% off, after X-mas sale.
cheers,
Bruce

A couple of other useful links:

So You Want to Build a Lexington?
Calling All CV-2 Lexington Fans!

In regards to the hangar catapults, they were not a feature of the Lexington class and were meant to be used more for cases where the flight deck was in use and the sudden need came up for a different plane.. such as a scout plane while recovering a returning strike, or when the flight deck was damaged, of course.

Bruce,

The Mitchell is 1/48 and I'm planing on building in on a mock up of the deck of the hornet( just the deck).

hello all,
@Tracy,
thanks for the links and info.
@Frank,
that is a great idea,are you gong to post your build log here or over at Aeroscale?either way,let me know. i would like to see how you do it.
cheers,
Bruce