1/350 Scale "What if" Aircraft Carrier Projects
Some of the coolest aircraft carriers were those that never saw the light of day. If you are feeling sure of your scratch building ability and want a challenge, here are my top 1/350 "What if" designs.
In addition to providing a little bit of background on each design, I provide possible kits that could help you build it, and where you can find aircraft and other details that can help you turn these concepts into great 1/350 scale models.
Get your saws and evergreen plastic sheets ready. It's time to start building.
From Global Security:
Initial design work on a full-deck nuclear-powered aircraft began in 1973 under Project #1153 "Orel", which envisioned catapult-launched aircraft such as the MiG-23K fighter and Su-25K attack aircraft. The ship would have displaced 80,000 tons and carried as many as 70 aircraft. Following the death of Defense Minister Marshal Grechko, who had sponsored the project, the Defense Ministry was taken over by Marshal Ustinov, who did not share his predecessor's priorities. This Project 1153 effort was terminated in 1983.
Plans for a large-deck carrier were subsequently revived under Project #1143.7, which was undertaken at the Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau beginning in 1984. The carrier was laid down in November 1988, but with the end of the Cold War the project was cancelled in November 1991. At that time construction was about 45% complete, and scrapping began in February 1992.
From Wikipedia:
The Aircraft Carrier (Medium) (CVV)[nb 1] was an American design for a conventional-powered (i.e. non-nuclear-powered) aircraft carrier proposed in the 1970s. It was to be smaller and cheaper than the contemporary nuclear-powered Nimitz class. A single example was planned, but was not built, with further Nimitz class carriers built instead.
From Global Security:
In the early 1970's, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, proposed a design and procurement concept called "High-Low." He recommended that the Navy build new ships that would be moderately capable, less costly, and built in greater numbers than the existing highly capable but costly vessels. The new low-technology ships would complement, not replace, the existing high-technology ships. They would operate in lower threat areas, freeing high-technology ships to concentrate in the higher threat areas.
If you are feeling ambitious, you can scratch build several Convair Model 200 VTOL fighters. These fighters are sort of like the modern day F-35 JSF, a single-engine VTOL fighter. They didn't work out, but would have been a cool design. How do you build one? Well...you are going have to get creative. Here is another option: Cheat. I found a 1/285 or GHQ scale Saab Gripen, which you can order here: http://www.shapeways.com/model/244382/1-285-jas39-gripen.html?li=productBox-search
The two aircraft have a similar look and, at this size, you will never notice the difference. You will just need to modify landing gear from existing aircraft.
To be continued...
In addition to providing a little bit of background on each design, I provide possible kits that could help you build it, and where you can find aircraft and other details that can help you turn these concepts into great 1/350 scale models.
Get your saws and evergreen plastic sheets ready. It's time to start building.
Soviet aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk
Initial design work on a full-deck nuclear-powered aircraft began in 1973 under Project #1153 "Orel", which envisioned catapult-launched aircraft such as the MiG-23K fighter and Su-25K attack aircraft. The ship would have displaced 80,000 tons and carried as many as 70 aircraft. Following the death of Defense Minister Marshal Grechko, who had sponsored the project, the Defense Ministry was taken over by Marshal Ustinov, who did not share his predecessor's priorities. This Project 1153 effort was terminated in 1983.
Plans for a large-deck carrier were subsequently revived under Project #1143.7, which was undertaken at the Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau beginning in 1984. The carrier was laid down in November 1988, but with the end of the Cold War the project was cancelled in November 1991. At that time construction was about 45% complete, and scrapping began in February 1992.
Degree of Difficulty:
Medium. You could probably combine two Trumpeter Kunzestov kits together to create the length needed for the ship. You can modify the island fairly easily by eliminating the smoke stack.What You'll Need:
- Trumpeter Kunzestov kit(s)
- WEM Kunzetsov deck vehicle sets
- Trumpeter SU-27/33 aircraft
- Trumpeter SU-25 aircraft
- WEM Kunzetsov PE detail sets
- Trumpeter KA 27/29/33 helicopters
- Modified E-2 Hawkeyes to a Yak -44
- GHQ Mi 8 helicopters
US Navy CVV Design
From Wikipedia:
The Aircraft Carrier (Medium) (CVV)[nb 1] was an American design for a conventional-powered (i.e. non-nuclear-powered) aircraft carrier proposed in the 1970s. It was to be smaller and cheaper than the contemporary nuclear-powered Nimitz class. A single example was planned, but was not built, with further Nimitz class carriers built instead.
Degree of Difficulty:
Easy/medium. You could probably remove a section from the Trumpeter Nimitz carrier kit and modify the island to create the CVV. The Academy USS Perry kit could provide the smoke stack (based on the photos available online).What You'll Need:
- Trumpeter Nimitz Kit
- WEM or GMM detail sets
- Blackdog or Goffy deck tractors
- Academy Perry kit (for stack)
- Veteran Model CIWS
- Ironshipwright Deck Tractors
- Scratch-built Mk29 Sparrow launchers
- Misc. Sat Domes, etc.
- Trumpeter or Tamiya F-14s
- Trumpeter or Tamiya F-18Cs
- Trumpeter or WEM F-18 E/F Super Hornets
- Trumpeter or Tamiya A-6s
- Trumpeter or Tamiya E2 Hawkeyes
- Trumpeter C-2 Grayhounds
- Tamiya or L'Arsenal SH-3 Sea Kings
- Trumpeter or Veteran Models SH-60s
- Trumpeter or Tamiya S3 Vikings
- Trumpter or Tamiya EA-6B Prowler
US Navy Sea Control Ship Design
From Global Security:
In the early 1970's, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, proposed a design and procurement concept called "High-Low." He recommended that the Navy build new ships that would be moderately capable, less costly, and built in greater numbers than the existing highly capable but costly vessels. The new low-technology ships would complement, not replace, the existing high-technology ships. They would operate in lower threat areas, freeing high-technology ships to concentrate in the higher threat areas.
Degree of Difficulty:
Hard. You will need to scratch build the hull and flight deck, as well as the island. However, you could probably scavenge parts from various kits for the detailsWhat You'll Need:
- Evergreen plastic
- Veteran Models CIWS
- Mast and various parts from DML's Spruance Kit
- Stack from Academy Perry Kit
- Black dog or Goffy Deck Tractors
- Ironshipwright Deck Tractors
- Tamiya, WEM, or L'Arsenal SH-3 Seakings
- WEM SH-2 Sea Sprites
If you are feeling ambitious, you can scratch build several Convair Model 200 VTOL fighters. These fighters are sort of like the modern day F-35 JSF, a single-engine VTOL fighter. They didn't work out, but would have been a cool design. How do you build one? Well...you are going have to get creative. Here is another option: Cheat. I found a 1/285 or GHQ scale Saab Gripen, which you can order here: http://www.shapeways.com/model/244382/1-285-jas39-gripen.html?li=productBox-search
The two aircraft have a similar look and, at this size, you will never notice the difference. You will just need to modify landing gear from existing aircraft.
To be continued...
Comments
Post a Comment