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| HULL PARTS |
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| The kit is molded with a full lower hull or waterline insert
molded in red plastic. The upper hull is nicely molded and has very nice
surface detailing. The shape looks very much like the real Nimitiz and
the changes that were made to the larger version have been incorporated
into this smaller kit. Some of these parts are actually more to scale than
the larger version. This kit is designed much like the larger
350 Nimitz, and as a result it has better detail in my opinion. This
kit shares many parts with the other 1/700 scale USS
Nimitz kit. The main differences are three new sprues shown below,
and a brand new modern airwing. |
Click images
to enlarge |
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| FLIGHT DECK |
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| The flight deck is molded as a single piece with lots of surface detail.
The aircraft tie down points are well done. My one complaint is the aircraft
deck markings are molded onto the deck. However some might prefer this
as it helps with decal placement. |
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| SPRUE A |
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| Elevators have some nice details molded on both sides. The hanger bay
doors have some nice frames. |
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| SPRUE B |
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| Molding on this sprue features some very fine parts. |
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| SPRUE C |
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| Superstructure and hull parts are molded on this sprue. |
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| SPRUE D |
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| More very fine parts on this sprue. |
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| SPRUE E |
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| More very fine parts on this sprue. |
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| SPRUE F |
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| This is the equivalent of a weapons sprue. The many fittings applied
to the ships are included. |
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| SPRUE J |
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| This sprue is exclusive to the Lincoln and includes the later island
parts along with some sponsons that were not present on the early Nimitz
class ships. |
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| SPRUE K |
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| The sprue included later weapons and fittings. |
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| SPRUE N |
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| More bridge and superstructure components featured on later Nimitz
class ships. A name plate is also included. |
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| SPRUE P |
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| The main island superstructure is molded in clear plastic so the bridge
windows can be shown clear. This is a nice touch, and gives the modeler
another way to detail the ship. One thing this part may allow you to do
is create a lighted #68 for the island. |
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| DISPLAY BASE |
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| Not only do you get an option to build the ship full hull
or waterline, but you get the option to display it either way also. A full
hull base is molded in black to set your ship on. If you wish to display
it in the waterline mode, a nice clear base is provided with a nice wave
and wake pattern.
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| AIRCRAFT |
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| The aircraft in this kit are molded in clear plastic to
allow you to mask off the canopy before painting. This ensures a clear
glass canopy appearance. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (3 sprues with 2 aircraft each). Includes
separate vertical stabilizers, landing gear, and drop tanks. |
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| F/A-18C (3 sprues with 2 aircraft each). Includes separate
vertical stabilizers, landing gear, and drop tanks. |
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| EA-6B (2 sprues with 2 aircraft each).Includes separate vertical
stabilizers, landing gear, and ECM pods. |
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| E2C Hawkeye (2 sprues with 1 aircraft each). Includes separate
engine pods, propellers, landing gear, tail surfaces, and radome. |
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| C-2 Greyhound COD (2 sprues with 1 aircraft each). Includes
separate tail, engines, props, and landing gear. |
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| SH-60B Sea Hawk (1 sprues with 2 aircraft each). Includes separate
landing gear, and tail rotor with one folded and one deployed main rotor. |
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| SH-60F Ocean Hawk (1 sprues with 2 aircraft each). Includes
separate landing gear, and tail rotor with one folded and one deployed
main rotor. |
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| HH-60F Rescue Hawk (1 sprues with 2 aircraft each). Includes
separate landing gear, and tail rotor with one folded and one deployed
main rotor. |
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| PHOTO ETCH |
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| A simple photo etch fret is included with the stern grill
assembly, and the radio antenna. A length of fine brass wire is included
to fabricate some of the finer details. |
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| DECALS |
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| Two very nice decal sheets are included, one for the ship
and one for the aircraft. The decals are pretty good, with deck markings
and plenty of markings for the aircraft including squadron markings. The
squadron markings are appropriate for the Lincoln. Deck stripe markings
are provided as white dashed lines. The elevator markings are done in black
and the elevator opening stripes are done in white. The decals are sharply
rendered and you wont have to replace these. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| A 20 page instruction booklet is included to guide you
through a step by step assembly process. The parts are all called out and
placement is well illustrated throughout.
Two nice B sized color sheets are included with camouflage markings
for the ship and aircraft. Paint colors are called out as well. |
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| Conclusions: |
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This is kit #TSM-5732 1/700 USS Abraham Lincoln CVN72 Aircraft Carrier
with a suggested list price of only $89.95. A great price for a carrier
as nicely detailed as this. You may not agree, but simply compare the kit
with those that are currently on the market. It has twice as many sprues
as any other modern carrier. It is my opinion that this kit is even better
detailed than the larger 1/350 version. It is simply the best Nimitz class
on the market today.
Thanks to Stevens
International for the review sample. They are the exclusive importer
for Trumpeter kits in the US. If your hobby shop does not carry Trumpeter
kits have them contact Stevens
International or try their Hobby Shop Locator to find one. |
