I’ve been building airplanes for quite a long time but haven’t built a ship in 13 years. On a whim I ordered Revell Germany’s 1/700 USS Boxer (hasn’t arrived yet)…any comments/opinions/warnings before I start this? Are there any detail sets for this?
Thanks!
The current USS Boxer (LHD-4) is a member of the Wasp-class of Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ships. It is not to be confused with the older Boxer, LPH-4 which was a modified Essex carrier and designated as an Amphibious Assault Helicopter Carrier. The current Boxer has an enclosed square bow, the older Boxer has an open square bow. Let me throw another amphib class into the mix – the LHA Tarawa-class has a slightly rounded bow (more on that later). LHA, LHD, LPH – confusing isn’t it!
The NAVSOURCE Amphib Index may help you sort some of this stuff out.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/phibidx.htm
The Navy Newsstand also has a featured gallery on Amphibs
http://www.navy.mil/view_gallery.asp?category_id=13
There are no major gripes against the kit.
There are no dedicated PE sets for a LHD Boxer. DML/Dragon made a USMC Amphib Assault Group which includes some LCACs, Cobras, and SeaKnights (IIRC). It was to accompany the DML/Dragon Tarawa-class LHA (sold as the Saipan). In addition Flagship Models makes a PE set for the Tarawa-class. This set will get you most of the way.
http://www.flagshipmodels.com/flagship/Detail_Sets.html
There may be some fit with the deck edge netting, but the railings will cut to fit.
Wow, thanks! That really helps. I’ll look into that detail set.
Oh, any idea where I can find that assault group add-on by Dragon? I’d especially like it for the SeaKnights.
Never mind, I found the 'coptors here:
http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/index.html?http%3A//www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue__Airstrike__Aircraft_32.html&CatalogBody
One final question…The hull is to be painted Light grey #76, which I believe is a gull grey. The deck is “granite grey”, # 69…anyone know what this is (I’m assuming all modern American carriers have the same colored deck?)
Thanks all!
The specification for modern USN haze gray is 26270. Modelmaster Neutral Gray is 36270 - flat vs satin. I prefer to lighten my haze gray 1:3 white to neutral gray.
Modelmaster Gunship Gray is right for modern weatherdecks. New, unweathered flight deck non-skid is closely matched by Engine Gray, weather it a bit with the Gunship.
As long as you’re ordering the helos from White Ensign you might also want to look at their Colourcoat line of paints (enamels). They are accurately matched to the specifications for the various service paints.
If WEM is out of their SeaKnights - check with JAG about theirs
