USS Enterprise (CV-6), was the seventh U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name. Colloquially called “the Big E”, she was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. A Yorktown-class carrier, she was launched in 1936 and was one of only three American carriers commissioned before World War II to survive the war (the others being Saratoga and Ranger). She participated in more major actions of the war against Japan than any other United States ship.
These actions included the Attack on Pearl Harbor (18 dive bombers of VS-6 were over the harbor, 6 were shot down with a loss of eleven men, making her the only American Aircraft carrier with men at Pearl Harbor during the Attack and the first to receive casualties during the Pacific War), the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, various other air-sea engagements during the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
The USS Enterprise CV-6 earned 20 battle stars, the most for any U.S. warship in World War II, and was the most decorated U.S. ship of World War II, She is also the first American ship to sink an enemy vessel during the Pacific War, the sole surviving pilot of the six planes shot down over Pearl Harbor sank Japanese submarine I-70 on 10 December 1941. On three occasions during the Pacific War, the Japanese announced that she had been sunk in battle, resulting in her being named “The Grey Ghost”.
More info on the USS Enterprise CV-6 here.
After a few weeks of feeling under the weather, I was able to finish this model kit. This is the recently released USS Enterprise CV-6 from Academy Models. As with the previously released 1/700 USS Missouri BB-63, this model kit also is a 100% NEW TOOLING.
- WWII U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific Theater of Operations
- Decal Included
- 24 Aircraft Included – F4F, SBD, & TBD (8 of each plane)
- Assemble with Full Hull or As Water Line Model
- Photo Etched Parts and Masking Seal Included
- Street Price: $49.99
Construction is comprised of 2 Manuals divided in 25 easy to follow steps starting on the lower hull/deck and finishing on masking and decal placement. It has been a while since the last time I built a 1/700. I know that for such a large object in real life, compromises have to be made. I was surprised to find plenty of detail on the Academy Enterprise CV-6. The model can be built either as waterline or full hull so take note diorama makers. There is very nice detail on the lower hangar even though this won’t be seen when the model is finished. The lower hull can be depicted with aircraft on the elevators. Kudos to Academy for molding these as 3 separate platforms an not opting for a molded-on depiction of them on the upper deck.
All of the parts are absolutely molded with high precision. The overall fit on this kit is superb to the point that if I want to display it as waterline, I can still go back and remove the lower hull because it just snapped onto place without the need of cement.
PAINTING THE USS ENTERPRISE CV-6
There is a combination of various paint brands on this model kit. The lower hull was painted with our newest sponsor paints. I used Mission Models Red Oxide MMP-013. For the upper hull and island, I used Tamiya XF-19 Sky Grey. For the upper deck, I did use Tamiya Medium Sea Grey XF-83. To avoid fiddling with a model filled with tiny photo-etched parts during major painting and construction, I decided to leave all the photo-etched parts for the end. Once the photo-etched parts were added, I used sticky notes to airbrush the metal parts with XF-19 and avoid painting the runway. I mottled the runway then with XF-19 on top of the XF-83 to begin the fading process.
Note:
Because of the way this model will be put on display, there are certain photo-etched parts like the radar antennae that were left unpainted on purpose.
WEATHERING
I wanted a battered look on my model since I started building it. All the weathering was done with several products from Ammo Mig including the Humidity & Wet Effects set A.MIG 7409. I started in small layers from the bottom up using white oil to fade and ”salt” the main structure. Rust and different grey washes were also added. After one coat of Testors Dullcote, I added a little bit of Slimy Grime A.MIG 1411 followed very wetly and diluted German Dark Yellow A.MIG 1000.
Here is a brand new tooling of the famous Enterprise CV-6. If you’re in the mood, let me recommend you the recently released USS Missouri BB-63. This one will go very nice next to your Enterprise and it does come in 2 different flavors: As MCP (Multi-Color Parts) kit 14222 or as the Enterprise above Modeler’s Edition 14223. The modeler’s edition comes with photo-etched parts and masks for the deck. Although I didn’t use the mask on the Enterprise, for the USS Missouri you will need it 😉
This kit will go inside a custom shadow box from the craft store to adorn the hallway in our offices. I would have no hesitation to recommend this kit to a friend or demanding model builder. Decals on the kit are of great quality, however, I missed the #6 on the sheet.
My sincere thanks to our great friends at Model Rectifier Corporation for their support and review sample.
