Hello Folks,

I am a bit off from ripping into this one but thought I would start up the thread to get the ball rolling. As the title suggests, this will be Gallery Models' 1/350 Scale USS Intrepid CVS-11. The kit box shows only this as 'CV' but her makeup and air wing puts the time frame in the mid 60's I believe after the SCB-125 refitting.

I have not decided on what will be done yet really as there are some options here to play around with! In any case, it should prove interesting I think. All about having some fun, right?

If you would like to check out what comes in the kit, Jim Starkweather has put together a nice review of this one here on Model Shipwrights: http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/review/10570 Please take the time to stop by and read the review!

Without wasting anymore time, here is what I am looking at getting myself into...

The obligatory box art



One 'big' hurdle with this build will be taking pictures. The kit does not actually fit in the photo booth too well....yet!



Some quick interesting notes on this kit are that she comes in just over 32 inches in length, there is 6 sheets of photo etch included with the kit and the sprue count is 33; however, 22 of the sprue are aircraft alone.












The deck of this ship has been nicely molded from what I am seeing at first glance.





The kit does come with a detailed hanger deck, but unfortunately that is the only detailing in the hanger bay included. Depending on how this gets laid out will depend on how much scratch building get done in the hanger I suppose!!



One other small note is the lacking of any hull plating details...this is easily dealt with when the time comes though.

I still have something on the bench to take care of, one being my HMS Roberts which still has a little rigging to go. I think once I get the Roberts shipped off I will have an open slot in the graves for this one.

As always, thanks to taking the time to stop by and have a look-see!!

Ahoy Todd

Thanks.

Great looking kitset.

I will be following along once you get started building.

Cheers


Sean

Hello Sean!! Welcome aboard! Glad to have you along for the cruise!!

Will definitely be checking in.

I will be watching also. I am keen to see if this builds as good as it looks in the review.

cheers
Michael

Happy to have you along for the ride Anthony!!

Thanks for jumping aboard too Michael! The kit looks pretty good at the outset!! Let's hope I don't screw things up too bad with it!!

Hey T, this one looks perfect for you, should keep you out of trouble for awhile I'll be watching your progress for sure!

Hi James! Should be interesting, that's for sure!! Busy, yes, trouble...probably not!!

Watching with interest Todd

looks like it will be a good build!

Russ

Hello Todd,
I've been on the side lines watching your HMS Roberts build. You've done a great job on that one, so I'm waiting with bated reath to see how this one turns out.

Later

Thanks Russ and Bruce!! I'm real happy you guys jumped on board! Maybe with a little luck I can take a deeper look inside the box by the weekend!!

Very nice project indeed - I'm on board for sure!

By the way, one comment higher up reminded me - how's your Roberts doing, did I miss anything?

Cheers,

Jan

hi Todd,

Fancy one of these myself,

will be watching your build with interest.

Si

Hi Jan, thanks for following!! No, you did not miss anything on the Roberts! I got backlogged with a couple projects, one of which just left the bench...Woo Hoo!! Getting back to the Roberts and then onto this one!!

Hey Simon!! Thanks for climbing aboard!!

permission to jump in, Todd!!! seems like a ton work ahead

Permission granted! Welcome aboard ER!!!

I'm lucky I just live over an hour away from the real Intrepid. Problem is the line to get in is longer than the drive me to get to her, for the summertime, anyway.

I can't wait to see you dig into this build.

Is the notch in the lower bow for a sonar dome for the 'CVS' variant?

Hi Michael,

I hear you about lines to get in! We get that up here with the Massachusetts and Old Ironsides! My dad and I were planning on taking the trip down to visit the Intrepid soon! 'Bout 3 hours for me but worth the ride! As for the "bulbous" feature on the hull...the design was added to increase the efficiency of the movement of the ship in the water. Bunch of technical stuff about Influencing the water flow reducing drag from what I read.

Getting close to starting I think!! Knocked another project off the bench! At least one more and I might have the room!!

True, plus in Fall River you have the wonderful Battleship Cove - a must pilgrimage for any WWII naval lover!




Yes, I've seen that on many naval vessels but I was surprised to see it a a separate piece in a kit. I thought maybe there was a 'non-bulb' version from her pre anti-submarine platform days and a 'bulb' version for a sonar housing.

I try to keep my purchase price for kits at no more than $100.00 but this kit may have me break with tradition.

BSC would be a great day trip for you!! The Mammy is a big girl!! Not to mention all the other attractions including the 2 PT's!

I remember reading something about the bulbous being a version of the SQS-23 dome but I cannot find anything of reference and the shape is off slightly. Either way, it does signify the possibility of maybe future releases of other short hull Essex class carriers! Personally I would be all over the USS Randolph with the same configuration (long hull though) as my dad served on her in the 60's!

I'll try and get things together soon so you can see how she looks...might help with that decision on way or the other!

This is going to be interesting.

Hi Kenny!! Hope all is well my friend!! Thanks for swinging by!! I agree...this might prove interesting...at least on some level!!

Well I am not getting into this one full blown yet, but I did crack the box and sort some items and unleashed some glue.

The hanger deck installation is the first thing on the list. My apologies for the pictures. I am still getting a handle on fitting this into the picture booth. There will be adjustments coming soon!!









This thing is just BIG! The majority of the first half of the instructions cover installation of parts from the flight deck down. So for a while I have to set aside a good chunk of the building area dedicated to the tub. Once things move to the PE and sub assemblies of the superstructures things will be a bit more manageable I think.

There are going to be a few minor issues to deal with along the way here....first being the bulbous on the front of the hull. The joint is less than desirable. There will be some filling and sanding coming real soon on this one!



I finished off last night sanding deck extensions off the hanger deck level. I may try to get these installed tonight and keep moving the tub section along!

As always, thanks for stopping in!!

Ironworks on the way!!!

Small one ER!!

Slowly working my way through things here, I have to clean up the edge around the entire hanger deck. There was a little gap and things are not as smooth as hoped. Some filler and a bit of tactful sanding has been happening....








A couple of divisions have been added to the stern. Of course there are some joint sanding in need but nothing that should hold things up here.



Only a little more sanding left tonight and I can begin to layout the side walls to the hanger deck which I cut off the sprue already and did some prep-sanding to.

As always...thanks for hanging about!!