Gentlemen,
I was just perusing the online Trumpeter catalog and I came across a dream-come-true for U.S. aircraft carrier enthusiasts . . . the USS Ranger (CV 4) in two versions, 1942 and 1944 is to be released later this year in 1/350. That will leave only USS Wasp (CV 7) and USS Langley (CV 1) remaining to be manufactured of the pre-Essex carriers. What a great time to be a ship modeler!
Now, if only Merit would rise out of the ashes and keep producing kits!
Bill Morrison
Bill,
I also saw this and have been saving my pennies and dimes. Also, you might have noticed that they are going to produce a Baltimore class heavy cruiser in 1/350… I have ordered my USS Alaska (CB-1) recently. It feels like Chrsitmas.
Steve
That’s is inteeesting. What would the air wings be?
Merit is toast?
Still want a 1/350 straight deck Midway.
A 1/350 straight deck Midway would be terrific, as would an original Forrestal. I, too, have ordered my Alaska, and am also waiting for the Blucher as well (also announced).
Nobody seems to know anything about Merit’s situation. Merit has not answered repeated emails, their kits have all but disappeared from shelves, and there have been no announcements. It’s weird.
Bill
The Blucher has been out for a while now. I have had mind for several months.
Tracy White , on Navsource
Transporting aircraft to North Africa, February 1943.
Maybe then they’ll reduce the kit and offer it in 1/700, too. I’ve wished for years that someone would produce a 1/700, injection-molded styrene kit of the Ranger. Aoshima put out the Wasp a couple of years ago, and that gave me renewed hope for the Ranger.
"USS Ranger, 1934-1946, The Navy’s First Flattop from Keel to Mast” by Robert J. Cressman
The only real problem for me with the USS Wasp kit is that it is waterline. I much prefer full hull kits. Also, Thanks for telling me about the Blucher kit being available! I had my LHS order one for me this morning.
Bill
To All, Aoshima has a 1/700 USS Wasp CV 7 out. I had to order it from Hobby Search Japan to get it though. Does not look too bad.
I pre-ordered it through Freetimehobbies.com for $125.00 + shipping just this week. No word on when to expect though.
Interesting…the Trumpeter 1/350 kit is about the same in price as the Corsair Armada resin kit in 1/700 (when it’s in stock).
Aoshima has a 1/700 scale USS Wasp CV 7. I ordered it through hobbysearch japan. It came out looking pretty good I thought.
I also ordered the Ranger through Freetimehobbies.com for 134.90 (incl shipping)…I ordered the 1/700 USS Montana through Freetime also and it is shipping this week.