Has anyone built this kit yet? I want to get the Revell one but it's in 1/720. Is the fit good? How about the details? What are the shortcomings of the kit?

Also, are there any Tarawa in other scale? 1/350?

Thanks!

I built this kit over 30 years ago. It was a neat toy for a boy. The rear doors slid open and you could remove the landing craft with little M60 tanks (fairly crude). The flight deck was full of little helicopters, UH-1 and CH-46. I also think they had Sea Stallions as well.

30 years? Holy cow! It is really old :-)

Go with the Dragon (DML) 1/700 Tarawa. Slightly bigger, better detail, and if you want photo-etch, Gold Medal makes PE specifically for the DML 1/700 Tarawa/Iwo Jima.
I picked up the Revell kit used (real cheap) on ebay- wanted to add more aircraft to the DML kit. Didn't realize it was 1/720 vs. 1/700 - might not seem like much, but you can see the size difference in the CH-46s.
Most of the Revell pieces go into my spare parts box, the molding isn't as crisp as the DML 1/700.
If not in production right now, try ebay for the DML 1/700.


Peter

Ralphie............. I'm almost twice that.........
I must be really.... really old............ :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
With a little work it builds into a nice looking model.

BTW, is it full hull or waterline?

The Revell kit is full hull.

I did one too. Like 4 years ago. There's an Italeri one I think.

"I built this kit over 30 years ago." Ship was launched in 1976. Sorry, your math doesn't add up.

About the model. Rather simple. Parts don't fit well. No translation for color scheme. Box shows an Osprey coming in for a landing, don't think so.

Tanks? I didn't see any, unless they are those hunks of plastic on the parts tree. Landing craft are poor.

I can't wait to finish it and crank her up in my pool this summer. Bet it goes to the same place my USS Ticonderoga by Lindburgh went. Deep 6.

In any event, the point of modeling is to have fun. I'm having a sorry day, so don't let me bother you. Enjoy the hobby, I have for @50 years now.