Ah, knew this was too good to be true http://www.classicwarfare.com/TRUMPETER_1350_WW11_HMS_ARK_ROYAL_91_1939_EXCLUSIVE_LIMITED_EDITION_WOPTION_DX_UPGRADE_SET/p1144420_14682868.aspx
Nope, in fact there were no crew seats either. The Astronauts stood side by side on the deck to fly it, because of Lunar gravity.
Interesting, I’ll need to look more into it. It’s not really a subject I’ve studied much as I would have liked to. I do remember that I thoroughly enjoyed the space exhibit they have at the USAF museum in Ohio.
On a side note, I was able to the WEM island pieces for the Colussus on ebay. Pretty happy about it considering they weren’t there the day before.
Where did you find those? I see Illustious on the WEM site but “out of stock” as I believe they are “out of business”.
I found it on eBay for $14.99 including shipping. I am not sure if there are any more from that seller, but the contact i had from Richard Harden at WEM told me that he
“hopes to have them available soon. Working out the production details.”
Now i am looking at purchasing somne reference material for the build. Ive found Warship Profile 10 and 11 that look promising.
White Ensign Models had closed but was bought by Tom’s Model Works and has started production again. I found the 1/400 photoetch sets for the Heller HMS Illustrious and the HMS Colossus kits in stock on the WEM site and they were also listed on the Free Time Hobbies/Pacific Front Hobbies website but were not in stock. Unfortunately, the Illustrious resin set for the island and bridge corrections is not in stock.
Bill Morrison
There’s another piece of good news for 1/700 fans. Aoshima apparently is on the verge of releasing a 1/700 Ark Royal:
http://freetimehobbies.com/1-700-aoshima-hms-ark-royal-1941-aircraft-carrier/ .
There was a time when Aoshima waterline kits were pretty primitive, but I have the impression that the company has improved enormously in the past few years. This one’s on my wish list.
John,
They have become much better than they were. Their 1/700 Fuso and Yamashiro are outstanding, as are their Nagato and Mutsu. I have been very impressed by their offerings in the last ten years. And, I am looking forward to their Ark Royal! Too bad it is waterlinewith no full hull option.
Bill
It’s funny you bring that up. I’m currently fiddling around with a 1/700 CVE to be a RN carrier, as was discussed here earlier. I kind of enjoyed my 1/700 Tarawa, if in no small part because I was able to finish it.
In case you wondered- last night, this morning and this afternoon.
A great feature of this hobby is that for most of us, actually holding something in your hand helps understand it.
I never thought about it before, but the hangar deck in the Bogue class ships had all of the sheer of the original freighter, as can be seen in a side view. THAT must have made for some interesting maintenance operations!
GM,
Have you found the WEM Island yet? There is one currently for sale on ebay from the same place i bought mine from.
No, can you post the link?
EDIT: Thanks!
Woohoo! It came today! I owe you one, Jay.
Brilliant!
Do post updates on it as I’ll be starting mine soon.
Really Looking forward to the Merit 1/350 Ark Royal
Merit? Really? I know Trumpeter is showing a prototype.
It may be one in the same but here it is in a leak of the merit 2016 catalogue.
[quote user=“GMorrison”]
Here’s what I see. That isn’t a Merit catalogue, that looks like a page from a catalogue by a company called “BMM” or “Classic Warfare”, depending on who’s site you see.
If it’s indeed that, these guys are pretty notorious for taking advance whispers of models forthcoming shown at shows, and collecting pre-orders way in advance of it ever being a reality. I’ve also heard, but never experienced for the obvious reason, that it can be pretty hard to get your money back- no returned phone calls or emails etc.
My own particular issue with BMM is that along with doing this, which IMO falls on the responsibility of the buyer to be aware of, is they steal and photo shop old box art from previous kits by other manufacturers, add titles and “Buy it now!” and “limited edition” banners, and collect pre-sales.
Buy it when it shows up on Freetime, Squadron, Hannants or any of the other legit sites.
I know, I want one too. Just paging through a WW2 RN crriers book last night getting “in the mood” for “The Lusty” build.
Man. that sounds weird…
Just read the HLJ is now taking pre-orders for the Merit Ark Royal. Hopefully it’s coming soon
It’s shown on Freetime as well. But they aren’t taking orders.