Have a Ranger CV-61 Kit (Well sort of)

[tcoat]

I do not have high hopes but if anybody comes across a kit of the Ranger (or even the Forrestal would do) and can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. I know there were a few kits of these carriers done by Revell and Airfix but even EBay doesn't have them anymore.

I want to build it for my buddy's 60th birthday next year and it would look great next to his letter of commendation and the AE-3 I did for his 55th. 

[armornutii]

   I've been hunting a CV-61 also, I have never seen one in 1/350 or 1/700. Trumpeter might have a Forrestal in 350th but I'm not sure. I was an AE-3 in that squadron....but we had EA-6Bs.
     Sounds like an awesome gift tcoat.

[tcoat]

Sept 19, 2023 19:37:25 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   I've been hunting a CV-61 also, I have never seen one in 1/350 or 1/700. Trumpeter might have a Forrestal in 350th but I'm not sure. I was an AE-3 in that squadron....but we had EA-6Bs.
     Sounds like an awesome gift tcoat.

There were a number of different scales and manufacturers out there but the key word is "were". Nothing has been kitted for many years so they seem to be scarce. 

[armornutii]

   Upon pinch inspection of picture, I mistook the NE designator as VAQ-131, which flew Skywarriors befor transitioning to EA-6Bs....but I was on Ranger CV-61

[ogrejohn]

Scale Hobbyist has a CV-60 USS Saratoga in 1/720 scale for 30.79 in stock. It's a Forrestal class but I have no idea the differences between it and the Ranger.

[tcoat]

Sept 20, 2023 5:19:56 GMT -5 ogrejohn said:

Scale Hobbyist has a CV-60 USS Saratoga in 1/720 scale for 30.79 in stock. It's a Forrestal class but I have no idea the differences between it and the Ranger.

I never even thought of the Saratoga!!!!
Hobby shop half hour from home has one in stock that now has my name on it. 
Knock off a mast, close in the fan tail and change the number to 61 and BINGO it is the Ranger. Or at least close enough in 1/720 scale!

[deafpanzer]

Thanks for reminding me why this forum is awesome! I hope we can follow your build here too! Good luck!

[tcoat]

Now the quest for 1/720 or even 1/700 EA-3 Skywarrior commences!

[stikpusher]

Are you going to be building her in pre or post overhaul fit? As built, the Forrestal Class had four sponsons mounting with two turreted single 5" gun mounts on each side of the ship, fore and aft. In the late 70's she went through a refit overhaul, the 5' gun mounts and some of the sponsons removed, and more modern defensive weapons such as 20mm Phalanx CIWS and Sea Sparrow installed, along with a host of other updates.

[ogrejohn]

Sept 20, 2023 13:39:32 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Now the quest for 1/720 or even 1/700 EA-3 Skywarrior commences!

Maybe:
www.shapeways.com/product/78L8Z43SP/1-700-ea-3b-skywarrior-x6

[tcoat]

Sept 20, 2023 13:50:01 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Are you going to be building her in pre or post overhaul fit? As built, the Forrestal Class had four sponsons mounting with two turreted single 5" gun mounts on each side of the ship, fore and aft. In the late 70's she went through a refit overhaul, the 5' gun mounts and some of the sponsons removed, and more modern defensive weapons such as 20mm Phalanx CIWS and Sea Sparrow installed, along with a host of other updates.

From what I can determine (just starting the research since I know I can get one) the kit represents the post refit version. I will be modeling it in 1987 so should be close. Not going for super detail since he will not care if every thing is perfect. In fact I doubt he knows what the ship looked like overall anyway. 

[tcoat]

Sept 20, 2023 13:54:02 GMT -5 ogrejohn said:

Sept 20, 2023 13:39:32 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Now the quest for 1/720 or even 1/700 EA-3 Skywarrior commences!

Maybe:
www.shapeways.com/product/78L8Z43SP/1-700-ea-3b-skywarrior-x6

Those were all I could find. When I add in shipping and exchange to Canadian dollars it comes to about $80. I will hand carve a "close enough" version before I spend that for one aircraft. 

[ogrejohn]

Yes, I thought that seemed pricey for such a small scale. There might be others for a lower price on Shapeways, I didn't look.

[keavdog]

If you can find it
www.scalemates.com/kits/pit-road-new-s-12s-us-carrier-based-aircraft-w-bonus-wm-a-3b-skywarrior--1087176

Or squadron.com/1-700-a3d-skywarrior-aircraft-set-for-uss-nimitz-6-bx/

[tcoat]

Sept 20, 2023 15:29:43 GMT -5 keavdog said:

If you can find it
www.scalemates.com/kits/pit-road-new-s-12s-us-carrier-based-aircraft-w-bonus-wm-a-3b-skywarrior--1087176

Or squadron.com/1-700-a3d-skywarrior-aircraft-set-for-uss-nimitz-6-bx/

The whole set would be cool but look like I have a better chance of wining the lottery than finding one. 
The Squadron one is a much better price and if I can't find a Canadian source will go for it. I doubt people are scrambling for them.

[tcoat]

OK so I have the kit. Now time to start a build thread!

[themongoose]

Here’s your Skywarrior i think…
www.larsenal.com/es-3-shadow-ailes-depliees-x3-1-700-impression-3d-c2x39754405

I bought an airwing for the Kittyhawk from them and they are beautiful!!

[tcoat]

Nov 1, 2023 22:15:00 GMT -5 themongoose said:

Here’s your Skywarrior i think…
www.larsenal.com/es-3-shadow-ailes-depliees-x3-1-700-impression-3d-c2x39754405

I bought an airwing for the Kittyhawk from them and they are beautiful!!

Looks like they also have the Tomcats and Intruders I need. Most certainly an option.