Nearly three years ago I had the idea to build a complete carrier strike group (CSG) with the USS Nimitz as a center in 1/700th scale…what a project! If I had knew it before…

But – it had to be the Nimitz! Originally I aimed to show her like in “Final Countdown” configuration, the early version (because of the high-viz markings of the planes!). But the escort ships during that era were not all available as a model kit. During my research I found a very interesting period, the “Operation Southern Watch”, 1997/98. Here the Nimitz was convoyed by the USS Sacramento AOE-1, USS Olympia SSN-717, USS Ford FFG-54, USS Kinkaid DD-965, USS Benfold DDG-65, USS  Port Royal CG-73 and the USS Lake Champlain CG-54. All these ships are available as model kits in 1/700th scale!

Ok - the “little ships” were built rather quick. You can see them on my homepage www.matthias-pohl-modellbau.de , if you’re interested in. But the main theme here is the building of the USS Nimitz.

It was very clear for me that I don’t want to show again a scene with starting and landing jets as so many other modelers did. One can see it so often while surfing through the www. I found it much more interesting to show an UNREP and VETRAP scene (underway replenishment and vertical replenishment)! Because of the deck’s security there no starting and landing jets are allowed in that case. Above all there must be a plenty of work in the hangar deck – but most of the 1/700th scale aircraft carriers are very well built, with some nicely detail in the hangar bay, which can’t be seen clearly because the lack of light! So my USS Nimitz ought to have a lightened hangar deck!

The building:

In fact my Nimitz is a kit bash because TRUMPETER edited two versions of the carrier: the early version and the one from 2005. The 1998 version needed to be refitted with part of both kits; some parts must be used from the early kit, some of the late kit. I tried to get as much pictures as possible of that era of the Nimitz, but they are very rare. The main changes were:

1.) the backbord RIM starter on the bow had to be replaced by an CIWS unit, the platform had to be changed referring to pictures;
2.) the aft starbord Sea Sparrow launcher received another SPS-65 radar illuminator  unit  including platform;
3.) some additional SatCom domes;
4.) conversion of  the stern gallery, adding of a new platform for the CIWS and the AN/SLQ-32 system;
5.) conversion of the island’s bridge, diverse SatCom domes in addition.

At the start of the whole building the illumination of the hangar deck has to be considered. I used 24 very small SMDs, they were fixed in two rows at the ceiling of the hangar deck. I soldered them in parallel connection on two strings of wire, which I led under the diorama’s plate. Outside the diorama I use a 2x 1,5 Volt battery pack for electrical power supply. A single SMD is illuminating the green glassed bridge windows (colored with Tamiya X-25 transparent green).
 

The squadrons are:

• VF-211 Checkmates (F-14A Tomcat), with a stock of only 10 aircrafts
• VFA-146 Blue Diamonds (F/A-18C Hornet)
• VFA-147 Argonauts (F/A-18C Hornet)
• VMFA-314 Black Knights (F/A-18C Hornet)
• VAW-122 Steel Jaws (E-2C Hawkeye)
• VS-33 Screw Birds(S-3B Viking)
• VAQ-138 Jellow Jackets (EA-6B Prowler)
• VQ-5 Det.B Sea Shadows (ES-3A Viking)
• HS-8 Eight Ballers (HH/SH-60H/F Rescue Hawk/Sea Hawk)
• VRC-30 Providers (C-2A Greyhound)

In addition I used the deck tractor set by JAG, Sailors by EDUARD and the complete PE set for Nimitz class carriers made by GMM. Loading goods and boxes are made by BlackDog, partly self-crafted. The trolleys came from FLYHAWK.
 

It took more than 320 hours for completing the Nimitz, the Sacramento replenishing scene too (The Sacramento and the Kinkaid are both conversions!). The other ships were accomplished in ca. 60 hours each, except the Los Angeles class submarine. ;o)))))
 

Hope you like it!

Matthias Pohl, Germany
www.matthias-pohl-modellbau.de