I’ve calculated that 1/700 aircraft are about 3% larger than 1/720 aircraft. For such small models is this significant enough that they would look oversized?
IE- 1/700 Trumpeter Su-33, Su-25UTG and Ka-27 for Italeri 1/720 Admiral Kuznetsov.
TY
At that small scale the differences are hardly noticeable. As a matter of personal choice I do not mix scale differences of 10% or larger.
No one is going to notice the difference - and as a practical matter, since the choices for 1/720 scale aircrafts are about, well, zero, I believe either Trumpeter or White Ensign Models will have what you need in 1/700.
Thanks for the replies gentlemen, I think I can proceed with confidence. Will use 1/700 Trumpeter Su-33, Su-25UTG and Ka-27
One thing to watch is that you don’t put 1/700 and 1/720 models of the same aircraft alongside each other - the difference may be visible. Using the Trumpy Helix and Frogfoot should work, though.
The Kusnetsov is rarely seen with more than a few aircraft on deck. Maybe it’s a doctrinal thing, not wishing to expose aircraft to the cold, harsh, Northern weather more than is necessary. We do the same with aircraft aboard the Invincibles. Or maybe the Russian Navy simply doesn’t have the money?
Happy New Year,
Chris.
Thanks Chris,
Luckily the Trumpeter packs have 6 aircraft each which should be more than enough for the flight deck without having to use the kit’s craft. I would assume the Trumpeter aircraft would be superior anyway. I agree that with the photos I’ve seen of the Kuznetsov there are not many aircraft on deck in each photo.
~Dave
I just read something interesting in Wikpedia that said the Kuznetsov may switch over to the MiG-29K eventually because the resource of Su-33’s is expected to expire around 2015. It would cost a billion to make another batch of Su-33’s because it’s a low production run and the MiG-29K might be more cost-effective as the Indian Navy has already procured a fleet of MiG-29K’s. Su-33 was chosen over MiG-29K because they liked it better but the MiGs may grace the flight deck due to cost-effectiveness.
Maybe we could sell them a few low-milage Sea Harriers? After all, we have several dozen to spare…or maybe we should be keeping them is store in case the STOVL version of the F-35 doesn’t make it into prodcution…
Cheers,
Chris.
STOVL F-35, A bit like the F-111B SNAFU?
Andrew
Yes. except that the cancellation of the F-111B didn’t require a major re-design of the *Nimitz-*class carriers. Redesigning the Queen Elizabeths so they could operate CTOL aircraft (Rafale, F/A-18E, E-2C), would.
Cheers,
Chris.
I saw a similar issue addressed a build of the Revell Yorktown-class carriers, featured in the Shipcraft series volume 3, “Yorktown Class Aircraft Carriers”. There is a fantastic build of Revell’s old 1/525 scale model, which came with a dozen SBDs cast in grey plastic. The modeler replaced them with Trumpeter’s 1/350 aircraft, using the TBDs, and, kitbashing the F4Fs into F3Fs. The scale size difference isn’t really noticeable in that case, either.
The Russian Navy is going to purchase the newer version of the MIG-29K to replace the Su-33 on the Kuznetsov. The Su-33 airframes are worn out. The operations were more stressful than originally intended, and the weight of ordinance was lower in service than designed. The new version of the MiG-29K has a lower approach speed than the Su-33, improved wing loading, and other major improvements over the original MiG-29K. Sukhoi-MiG Corporation has discontinued production of the Su-33 and the remaining Su-33 will be scraped when the new model MiG-29K becomes operational.
Be an interesting article to read (since I just got that kit from Santy Paws)
Andrew
Hi, Andrew! I recommend the book very highly. There’s the article on the Revell kit, but also on kits in other scales that have been available on the market, from Revell’s 1/1200 snap-together kit, up to Trumpeter’s 1/350 Hornet. Another one of those books that is fun to look at and dream about, even if you don’t wind up building the kits.
Regards,
Brad