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PHOTOS: MODEL
USS Saipan LHA-2
skipper
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Lisboa, Portugal
Joined: February 28, 2002
KitMaker: 5,182 posts
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Posted: Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 08:25 PM UTC
Mark Smith as used Garry Beebe''s Flattops Campaign as an excuse to build this 1:700 model of the USS Saipan.

Good job, enjoy the photos

Skipper

USS Saipan LHA-2 MOD Feature



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
blaster76
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Texas, United States
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
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Posted: Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 11:54 PM UTC
Very well constructed and a very colorful kit. Real fine build there mate
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: July 13, 2004
KitMaker: 6,705 posts
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Posted: Monday, May 08, 2006 - 02:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Very well constructed and a very colorful kit. Real fine build there mate


Thanks Steve...I'm quite honored that Rui wanted to do a MOD on one of my subjects (If I knew beforehand, I would have been much more careful! :-) )...I haven't had anything in a show type display for a long while!
I really had a great time with this kit Steve, it's not the best Tarawa Class kit on the market, but it is a decent one...I'd build another in a minute, my friend!
~Gunny
95bravo
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Kansas, United States
Joined: November 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,242 posts
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Posted: Monday, May 08, 2006 - 04:36 AM UTC
Yes sir, very nice clean build, great camo-job on the aircraft given their scale they look very well done. What does that measure out in actual inches?

It is a very nice clean build Mark.

The Other Steve
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
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Posted: Monday, May 08, 2006 - 05:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Yes sir, very nice clean build, great camo-job on the aircraft given their scale they look very well done. What does that measure out in actual inches?

It is a very nice clean build Mark.

The Other Steve


Why thank you, Mr. Arthur, I'm quite honored by all of my mates' comments...
The ship itself measures in at whopping 14 1/2" long by 2 1/4" wide...Choppers are about 1" long and the planes about 5/8"...The PE railings presented the biggest challenge for my big clumsy mitts and bifocal powered eyesight!
~Gunny
95bravo
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Kansas, United States
Joined: November 18, 2003
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Posted: Monday, May 08, 2006 - 10:20 AM UTC
Wow, I would have never guessed it to be that small! I can understand better the comment on the railings. Seriously man it is a nice looking build. I may just try one of these.
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: July 13, 2004
KitMaker: 6,705 posts
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Posted: Monday, May 08, 2006 - 02:47 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Wow, I would have never guessed it to be that small! I can understand better the comment on the railings. Seriously man it is a nice looking build. I may just try one of these.


You could fit plenty of these on your mantle, sir! That's one of the best things about 1/700, is the finished size factor....but there's nothing like a 40" long 1/350 scale beast to really make you say Whoa, though!...there were many pieces of the PE that I just couldn't use, truthfully...I mean, there were these ultra-tiny microscopic bicycles (used for transportation around the flattop) that looked like they belonged in a flea circus! :-) This is my first attempt at 1/700 PE in a great while, too. but I had such a good time messing around with it, I think I'm going to try more...Thanks again, Bro, for the encouraging remarks...
~Gunny
AlanL
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: August 12, 2005
KitMaker: 14,499 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 03:24 AM UTC
Hi Gunny,

Very impressive, very impressive. Very neat, looks really good to me, nice clean lines, Hmmmmm, almost makes one want to build a proper ship!!!

Thanks for this.

Cheers

Al
gator
Vendor
GATOR'S PAINT MASKS
#027
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Louisiana, United States
Joined: April 13, 2005
KitMaker: 5,422 posts
Model Shipwrights: 5,079 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 04:45 AM UTC
Looks great Gunny. Here in SWLA we owe a big thanks to the fine folks from the Gator Navy in helpng out after Hurricane Rita. Had a couple of these beauties parked right off the coast.

God bless the Navy.

Gator
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 05:29 AM UTC
Thanks Gator, I really do appreciate the kind words, mate..I agree, Ken, these ships are a grand sight to see up close, the Tarawa Class will always be one of my most favorite!
~Gunny
caanbash
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Ankara, Turkey / Türkçe
Joined: May 30, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 12:51 PM UTC
Wow, great build of a wonderful ship! I once built it myself, so I already have an affection

Congratulations, mate!

Cagin
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 03:06 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Wow, great build of a wonderful ship! I once built it myself, so I already have an affection

Congratulations, mate!

Cagin


Thanks, Cagin!
Did you build the same kit? If so, what did you think of it, mate?
~Gunny
thathaway3
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Michigan, United States
Joined: September 10, 2004
KitMaker: 1,610 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 09:19 PM UTC
Beautiful job, Gunny! I have said it many times, but I'll say it again, I REALLY admire those of you who do all that detail work in 1/700!!

I have a tough enough time with all the PE when it's TWICE that size.

Excellent work!

Tom
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 09:53 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Beautiful job, Gunny! I have said it many times, but I'll say it again, I REALLY admire those of you who do all that detail work in 1/700!!

I have a tough enough time with all the PE when it's TWICE that size.

Excellent work!

Tom


OMG, I really don't know what to say...Tom, compared to your works, mate...Geez...Thanks for the kind remarks, my friend!
~Gunny
rv1963
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New York, United States
Joined: December 07, 2004
KitMaker: 1,888 posts
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Posted: Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 05:18 AM UTC
Nice work Mark as others have said a very clean build, 1:700 scale that makes it easy to find a spot on the shelf i may have to try one of these.
caanbash
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Ankara, Turkey / Türkçe
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Posted: Monday, May 15, 2006 - 07:36 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks, Cagin!
Did you build the same kit? If so, what did you think of it, mate?
~Gunny


I guess it is the Dragon kit, and yes I built the same one. This kit is rather old and pieces do not fit as good as today's kits, but it is not bad, really. The tower is not as detailed as I would be satisfied, the "sticks" at the sides of the ship which are used for balancing the ship have to be scratchbuilt according to me... Athe ircraft and the hovercraft are nice, except for the propellers of the helis. This is my opinion, though.

Cagin.
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: July 13, 2004
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Posted: Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:22 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Thanks, Cagin!
Did you build the same kit? If so, what did you think of it, mate?
~Gunny


I guess it is the Dragon kit, and yes I built the same one. This kit is rather old and pieces do not fit as good as today's kits, but it is not bad, really. The tower is not as detailed as I would be satisfied, the "sticks" at the sides of the ship which are used for balancing the ship have to be scratchbuilt according to me... Athe ircraft and the hovercraft are nice, except for the propellers of the helis. This is my opinion, though.

Cagin.


I agree completely, mate...It is an oldy (but a goody!), and yes, there are Quite a few fit issues throughout the build, mainly the main hull...that was the worst, for me...many hours and antacids spent here! Some scratching would make this kit into a showstopper, though! Thanks again!
~Gunny
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