Hi guys, I had a couple of interesting emails about these..

And so before I go back to work on my client's USS Enterprise CVN-65 next month.

I'm pondering if anyone is interested in purchasing such scratch built hanger decks as in my link above???
Yup I assume you guys would like to see the hanger and it's lighting completed first before deciding anything. But this post is a heads up so do respond if interested, none the less I'd like to know your comments.

Anyway I think such a "kit" can be offered at different prices for an Unfinished or a Finished version.

Firstly, a Hanger Deck should be illuminated (and if such--so should the exterior of the ship when applicable) so with that in mind, my plans are such :

Unfinished kit -- All detailing done but main sections (walls,ceiling,etc) unassembled and unpainted. Also includes the support frames to hold up the hanger deck. Illumination components such as clear sheet, green tinted sheet(for the Island) ,white, red LEDs, wiring, battery or/and wall socket plug included but unassembled. I do the main scratch building and detailing work-but you put the main parts together and paint, and you do all the wiring connections,soldering as well.

Finished kit -- Everything complete and painted with LEDs and wiring soldered and glued to position where possible. Just glue down the support frames and "drop" the entire hanger deck into your ship, add your airwing into position then secured the ceiling over the hanger deck to close up the ship..in that aspect.

I'll also include the other components that can be illuminated such as the rear landing lights, Island,etc. I'm also looking into some optic fibre for other areas such as the Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System.

I can also include completed scratch built parts and to "modernise" the BIG E.

If you scrutinize my HangerBay in the link, there's a ton of work going on in there..I mainly used various types of Evergreen Styrene. Recently I have found easy access to Plastruct-where very thin rods will replace metal ones.
Just to mention, there are hundreds of Aircraft tie down pads on the deck which is not evident in my photos.

Looking forward to your input. Thanks!

I would be interested as I'll be getting a big carrier soon. But with me as many of us the price will be to breaker.

Thanks for the reply Frank, I'm glad to know you find my Deck acceptable. I hope others do too. I understand about the price concerns. This is similar to any commission build where most of the time the client is unaware until he's told-how much research, time and actual work goes into a decent build or to that to his satisfaction and his money's worth.
But with the difference that this "commission" work I'm offering is for modelers like myself, and I'm sure they appreciate how much work goes into any model.

In this regards, I will be charging a nominal fee for my work. The buyer will be paying exact cost for materials. I gain more for the experience and credibility as a full time modeler, as I'm venturing into producing my own resin and photoetch kits in the future.

I forgot to mention that I will include a throughout instructional manual for the Hangerdeck assembly and electronics for each kit.

Soon,I'll be checking the nitty gritty details of how much and thus the cost of Everygreen and Plastruct styrene that is needed for 1 complete set.
As well as the amount of electronics,etc. is required. Although LEDs and such are much cheaper here in Asia and because I purchase them through local distributors, they still acumilate in cost.

That said, I would think an Unfinished kit would be more popular than a finished ones, as there are a ton of excellent modelers throughout this sites.

Still a lot of work to do before these kits can be packaged.
Please respond to this post if you're interested. If the demand is high than I will be casting some parts in resin instead of scratch building them.


Thanks

I'm gonna put my lousy two slugs in. DO IT MAN! It's to late for my scratchbuilt BigE , but if I bought another 1/350 Tamiya. I'll be the first to buy your kit. By the way have you ever think of doing a 1/350 Forrestal class hangerdeck? 3 scratchbuilt class are looking to have one. Great work Man!

Put me in for a set. I will buy the Big E just so I can use the hanger. I'm in.

HI Mardis and Frank and thanks!

Well, 2 positive feedbacks is enough for me to take the plunge. I hope more will follow soon so I can figure about the resin casting.
I've been a fan of the BIG E since I was a kid, and "contributing" to the kit in this way makes it kind of cool.
Anyway "DOING IT!" is just a matter of repeating what I've already done but with more precision this time.

BTW, Mardis, there isn't a 1/350 Forrestal Class carrier available right? I seen your builds but aren't those full scratch builds?


Oh yes, coming back to the BIG E's hanger.. What "items and equipment" would you like included in such a kit?
I would actually like to include proper decals as well as the ships's painting/mural but I haven't found really good photos. I would go with including the airwings' armament,etc but I haven't found any. This is were casting in resin is a must.

If you have further references and photos..please post or email me at [email protected]

Hey Guys, the date is drawing nearer and I've opened it up to the floor on what "items and equipment" you want included in the hanger deck.

If I don't get replies on this then I'll use my own descretion based on the information I have whether or not to include anything extra.

Let me know please, post here or send me an email.

Thanks

I don't have any idea what would go on a hanger deck. I'm a ground pounder trying to build ships. I'll trust your judgement.

Hey Frank, I'm more a ground pounder myself..

I've been googling and googling and checking out all the other sites in regards to the Enterprise' hanger and there's not much out there. .in aspects of the structures and wall details being located accurately. I'm still going to check on how I can improve on the Decks I want to sell and take it from there..I'm using my detail and sclae book ,photos, and some nciely built hanger decks for reference.

Provided cost is ok..I'm thinking having the weapons rack and some other stuff done in etch or something instead of scratch building hundreds by styrene strip. I can probably get the structure details done in resin. But if I'm going to keep the cost down..I really got to see what it's worth.


.

Guys, I've did my work and also made some calls, and so calculated the cost of materials today and got a close estimation.
The entire Hanger Deck,etc - US$40.
Lighting system is around US$20.

Excludes my Commission Fee which I'm looking around the range of US$150 to $200.

So I'm awaiting some emails from companies out there to see if they can get the Hanger done "professionally". As well as some casting services. Less work I have to do, less commission I'll need. I honestly rather have no scratch building involved and have this whole thing sold as a kit.

So let's see.

Cheers

Hiya Nick, hope one those guys come thru for ya! That E hangerdeck should fit in my scratchbuilt Kitty Hawk in the furture. As far as the Forrestals hulls they are scratchbuilt and they have slight diffrents. They should all be done by the end of the month hull,and flightdeck wise. By the way I'm pounder too.

Thanks Mardis. I'm uncertain about the other carriers in this smae class and they hanger deck differences so I will concerntrate on the Enterprise version first.

To keep the cost down, I've decided to do the Hanger Deck myself, I need to make some cutting tools first. However some parts will be done in resin. I will include decals for the mural as well and some other items.

Next month I should have an update with photos with all the items included in the kit. I will be taking orders once I finalize the price and I'm ready to work on them in batches. Please note-- inorder to keep the cost down -- this will be a multimedia kit--partly hand made, partly cast in resin, and includes electronics. It will be around US$150-$200.

Once I complete the details for my Enterprise in WIP, I will also offer an Exterior update set for the 1980s version, this will most likely be a mostly Resin kit.

If you have something to share and improve what is already seen in my scratch built hanger deck or any comments please post them here or send an email to [email protected]

any word on your venture Nick?

WOW!!! You really are the MAN!!!! That is the most amazing hanger deck I have ever seen. I would be very interested in one for my BIG "E". I will stop work on her until you decide how much your kit will cost. I am also working on a Kitty Hawk that started as an Enterprise. I think that with minor modifications your hanger deck would work there also. Keep up the GREAT work.

Hi guys,..Mardis and Ray!.. I've finally wrapped up some builds and got some personal stuff squared up.. SO I"M BACK AGAIN!!! And my client has given the go ahead to continue my build on the Enterprise! So I'm back to my venture on making these hanger decks!

Ray, thanks for your kind words.. As in my post above ..to keep the cost down I'll be doing most of the hard work and scratch building the hanger decks.
But minus the little parts that will be cast in resin-these I will start to scratch build as masters.
It will be some months before these hanger decks are completedly ready for sale..

The materials & electronics come up to around US$60 for 1 complete hanger deck.
I need to know how many of you guys are interested, so I can start the work in batches, like a pre-order but without a deposite. Main point is that-where I invest my time literally equate my "salary"..so I ask for your consideration here. So if you're interested, Kindly drop me a mail at [email protected] prefebly before the end of this month

THANKS!

Yes sir, I want one.

Frank, Mardis, Ray, I've put you guys on the list as well. Thanks!

The set is a little pricey for me as I only paid $100 for the kit. I might be interested in some pieces like bulkheads (walls) as I have already taken some sheet styrene and done a hanger dec, and don't really need a lighting system.

Hi Steve,surely it's pricey, like most "upgrade" sets.
I have looked into the possibilities of making certain parts available seperately. But I don't think that I will be casting full walls in resin- that'll increase cost.
The "smaller " detail parts among other things will be done in resin so I may make them avail seperately. I'll see how it goes, and maybe some of my stuff may work out for your needs.


For those following this post..
Something like $200 fee for a scratch built Hanger is something you're not going to find often, especially if they come with a full lighting system. Most "lighting kits alone" for projects similar to the BIG E, such as the 1/350 scale Star Trek - Enterprise can go way up to $160+. Those flasher systems go around the $50+ mark.
Unless, some plastic injection company decides to do the like...
For those of you that take the dive for what I'll be offering, you'll be getting a darn good deal.. included are other items as well,which I will only disclose when these kits are available. This is going to be a very very limited run..

I'm just trying to make a little name for myself with these hangers

Nick:

Believe you me, I know about pricey add-ons. I've got the Akagi with the wooden deck and full PE. Did the same for my Kongo and have gotten quite a bit for my future rendering of the Ise. The enterprise hangr deck is not something I really want to trick out. Like I said, I cut out a suitable deck to give the interior a sense of depth and thought I might add some of the bulkheads in, but don't really want ot do the lighting thing. Hoestly your set for the money sounds pretty reasonable for what you get

I hear you Steve,

Actually, I'm more of an "Enterprise" fan... initiating from Sci-Fi that is..and have this craze to get everything that carries the name Enterprise done (someday)...so this carrier is what I can 1st truly work with...

if you need any help with pics of this bulkheads , shoot me a PM and I'll see what I can do. Cheers

It finally starts next month.

I've sent out emails to those who have personally "reserved" a kit earlier. So it's open to the floor now.

The cost confirmed per set is US$260 .Deposit $130 (which will cover the material cost and partial workmanship fees) Balance $130 + Shipping to be paid once the set is ready to be shipped. A duration of 4 months + or - is required for completion of around 10 or so sets.
I've a paypal premier account but please email me for further details or questions or if you want some modifications,etc to the hanger or lighting system. and we can discuss further. Remember, this is mostly a commission kit, so I will entertain provided it is reasonable.

I will purchase all material next month and will update the post with photos along the way, thus you all will be able to see the progress.


The Set Includes :

Electronics :
-- All the necessary components and electronics for Lighting the interiors of the Hanger & Island with White,Red/Amber LEDs.
-- 2-option switch for Normal illumination or Operations/Battle stations.
-- (You will need to select Battery pack or Wall plug option).
-- Clear sheet for diffusing the hanger's lighting and green tinted sheet (for the Island)

Hanger Deck parts :
-- All the Support and Mounts required to fit and secure the Hanger into your BIG E kit, (You need to select either waterline or full hull)
-- 9 Wall/Bulkheads sections, 2 part Ceiling, 8 Elevator doors and 8 Blast doors, Fore end's Viewing Platform Structure.
-- The Deck itself will have the hundreds of indented/recessed aircraft tie-down pads.
-- I will include an "instrument" for you to DIY the original kit's featureless tie-downs on the flight deck.
-- Decals for the ships' mural,etc on the blast doors and other components.
-- 15 weapons racks.

Resin parts :
-- The Hanger's smaller interior structures and details.
-- A selection and number of ordnance- aircraft fuel/drop tanks
-- A selection of Equipment and supplies, pallets, containers, barrels,etc.

--Comprehensive instructions, photos and 1:1 templates for clear sheets cutting will be included.

I've fine tuned a selection of materials over the months and so these Hangers will be a vastly improved version as compared to the one I'm building for my client.

Order at [email protected]

Nick,
I replied to your pm. I really think the price is a breaker.