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CARRIER STRIKE GROUP 11 (2005 Deployment) |
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THE IDEA
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I had always
wanted to build an entire Carrier Strike Group but could not decide on which
one it will be or in which time period. While I was working on my USS
Monterey, I came across the PBS documentary/series called "Carrier".
The ten episodes were filmed aboard the USS Nimitz on its 2005 deployment.
After having found Trumpeter's Nimitz kit on sale, I immediately went for it
and ever since I knew which CSG I wanted to build. Every model builder probably spends just as much (or even more) time on research than on the actual building of the model. After having spent quite some time roaming the internet for information on the strike group's deployment and the ships which were part of it, the search for the model kits could begin.
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The
Deployment (May 7 - November 8, 2005) Pearl Harbor, USA (May 18) Hong Kong, China (June 3) Guam, USA (June 18) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (June 30) Operations in the Persian Gulf (July-September) Perth, Australia (October 7) Pearl Harbor, USA (October 30) Model kits
used: |
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PICTURES
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Since I
wanted to rebuild the CSG exactly as it was on deployment in 2005, a few
conversions have to be made. Luckily Trumpeter upgraded its
USS Nimitz kit to the 2005 configuration of the
actual ship and a modern air wing has also been added. However, for me to
rebuild the other ships that were part of the strike group, I still have to
convert the other models to the ships that I needed. The
USS Princeton (CG 59) is being built out of the USS Monterey kit, the
USS Chafee (DDG 90) out of the USS Mustin kit and
the USS Higgins (DDG 76) out of the USS Arleigh
Burke kit. You can follow the progress of each ship by clicking on the links
above. I have yet to find a kit for the USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10). The USS Louisville (SSN 724) can easily be built from the USS Los Angeles kit that Hobbyboss offers, but I was not able to get hold of one just yet (that will hopefully change soon.
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DISPLAY
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My goal is to
place each model onto its own "water base" which can then be arranged to
align with each other to form a complete CSG diorama. I will probably have
to make a large water base (so the surface will be the same everywhere) with
all the ships in formation first and then cut the base up respectively so I
can display every model on its own (storage reasons) but also the entire
group if needed. Of course this is still far away, as I am just now working
on the convoying ships and have not even started with the CVN itself. Pictures will be posted as soon as possible (hopefully before my hair turns grey :) |
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