USS Hornet "Doolittle's Raid" by Kelly Quirk
Brand: Trumpeter
Scale: 1/350
Modeler: Kelly Quirk
AddOns: Gold Medal Models PE Sets, White Ensign Models color coats.

 

Introduction

Here is my 1/350 scale USS Hornet, made by Trumpeter. Also used were the two photo etch sets made by Gold Medal Models. The general fittings set, and the Gold Plus set. The Gold Plus set gives you all perforated catwalks, arresting gear parts, LSO platforms and many other very fine details.

Some of the hangar bay doors were cut open, and hangar deck details were added. A set of F-4F Wildcats were placed in the hangar. Honestly, after everything was closed up, you simply can't see anything in there, other than what is immediately inside the door.

Arresting gear was added, made from stretched sprue and the above mentioned GMM parts. All portholes were drilled out, and real anchor chain was added.


Click on the images to enlarge!

 The kit's splinter shields are too short, so all new shields were made from strip styrene, wrapped around a dowel and dipped in boiling water. Then cut to size and applied.

Painting

The model's hull was sprayed with a base coat of 5-0 ocean gray, then the wave pattern was hand brushed in 5-N navy blue. The island got a coat of 5-H haze gray, and again the pattern was hand brushed in 5-0 ocean gray. All paints used came from the White Ensign Model's Colourcoat line.

The B-25's were painted and detailed with stretched sprue machine guns. Several have spinning props. I considered adding interiors to the bombers, but I'm glad I didn't as you wouldn't be able to see them.

The island was rigged with stretched sprue, and 200 handpainted figures were
added.

This model features the following products available at our sponsors
Click on the item to see availability!

GMM USS Hornet CV-8 Fittings 350-21 US $ 40
GMM USS Hornet CV-8 Extra Details 350-21A US $ 40

Please check the reviews of these PE sets in the review section!

Photos and text © 2005 by Kelly Quirk

September 13, 2005

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