HMS Queen Elizabeth R08 (CVF)

[Thorvic]

Just starting a new carrier for the New Year and another Queen Elizabeth, however this time its the new CVF design thats currently being built and due to enter service in 2014-16 (First of class spend about 12 -24 mths doing test & trials on the design before they are actually available for duty).

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/future-ships/queen-elizabeth-class/

This will be built along similar lines to the CVA-01 i did except that the Twin Islands are likely to be a nightmare to create due to their unusual angled shapes. The Airgropup are likley to be from Pitroad/WEM and apart from some fixtures and fittings its all likely to be scratch built.

Will sort out photos later.

Geoff

[PR19_Kit]

More power to your elbow Geoff. Will this be in 1/700 as with your CVA-01?

Looking at the QE class I'm very impressed by the monster bow overhang and ski-jump, and TWO islands just have to be super cool in this day and age, but they just don't have the 'awesome' look of the old Ark somehow. Maybe in the metal they'll look better, roll on Portsmouth Navy Days 2015....

[Thorvic]

More power to your elbow Geoff. Will this be in 1/700 as with your CVA-01?

Looking at the QE class I'm very impressed by the monster bow overhang and ski-jump, and TWO islands just have to be super cool in this day and age, but they just don't have the 'awesome' look of the old Ark somehow. Maybe in the metal they'll look better, roll on Portsmouth Navy Days 2015....

Yes kit it will be a 1/700 waterline model, as hope to display alongside my CVA-01 when its built.

Ark looked massive as it had a double storey but small hanger, together with a large Island that was required to carry the Funnel trunking and the various masts and directors. (BTW both the Malta class design and CV-1952 concepts had a split island design so that aspect isn't actually that new a design feature).

I'll do comparison with the Ark (as built) when the hull is constructed to allow you to see them both in context Kit as the CVF is quite a bit larger than the Audacious class.

G

[Mossie]

Looking forward to seeing it Geoff.

[anthonyp]

Awesome, Geoff!  What airwing are you thinking of?  I seem to recall JAG models mentioning to Proditor they'd offer their stealth carrier's airwing 

[Sauragnmon]

Always happy to see more projects underway.  Looking forward to the progress, Geoff.  I could imagine if you asked JAG they would share, and of course, Skywave does a modern set with the F-35 in it as well, though most of other stuff is probably useless by comparison, so take from that what you will.

[Thorvic]

Ok progressed up to create the basic components up to the flight deck level. The Islands etc will be done once the hull is structurally complete.

First shot is the basic building block for the hull, second if the hull with the hanger deck and bows added, third is the sponsons & flight deck base, fourth has the top layer for the flight deck.

I actually have some of the Pitroad X-35 sets that will do for CVF for the time being, as buying 5 sets of the modern US aircraft sets for just 4 F-35 is hard to justify at the moment.

Cheers

Geoff

[Jeffry Fontaine]

I actually have some of the Pitroad X-35 sets that will do for CVF for the time being, as buying 5 sets of the modern US aircraft sets for just 4 F-35 is hard to justify at the moment.

Think out side the box, network and see if there is anyone that wants to go in on a joint purchase for the other aircraft in the set.  Maybe someone will step up.  Never hurts to ask.

[proditor]

As an aside, you get at least 30 F-32's from JAG (It's either 30 or 35, but memory isn't working) when you buy just the airwing.  And the Ospreys and choppers of course.  For 30 bucks, not a bad deal.

EDIT: Oh, and any chance of you making this a limited run kit at some point?  Please?  Like with begging?

[Thorvic]

I'll probably get the F-32 when i do one of the early proposals for the CVF which looked like the enlarged Invincible class before the swing role was specified (options to switch between VTOL and CTOBAR during the Carriers intended 50yr lifespan).

For CVF i'm going with the F-35B and Merlin as those are the current selected aircraft (although technically thats the preferred option at the moment, the final decision doesnt happen until the Aircraft are ordered and alot will depend on the success and performace of teh F-35B VTOL flight program!).

A LIMITED RUN kit !!!! , even in 1/700 its rather large, i dread to think what it would cost in rubber and resin to produce a clone or two.

G

[Thorvic]

Talking to one of the guys at our model club last night and the concept of moulding the CVF may not be as far fetched as once thought. I'll have to give it some thought on how to build one with an eye to cloning it, at least where the basic shapes are concerned.

G

[proditor]

That would be beyond awesome.  In the end analysis, it's your model, and you should enjoy the build.  If it turns out to be too much of a PITA, chuck the plan and build to your heart's content. 

If you could do major shapes though, I know I'd pony up for a Craftsman level kit. 

[Hobbes]

One way to keep cost down would be to mould just the islands and other small bits. The hull is easy enough to make from plans using plastic card.

[Thorvic]

One way to keep cost down would be to mould just the islands and other small bits. The hull is easy enough to make from plans using plastic card.

LOL - Harro i would suspect they would prefer it the other way round, as in being supplied with hull and do the Islands and small bits themselves 

[Thorvic]

Progress update....

Well this weekend i manage to get the basics completed for the Hull so that they all generallly fit, although some fettling will be required once final assembly starts. Next up will be to add some detail to the hanger interior where the hanger door will be open (i'll have the other door closed and the fire curtain down so i only have to detail a small section  )

However this will have to wait as whilst it was drying i was shaping a second hull base. I will use the parts created for the first to act as a basis for the second now i know what size and shape they need to be. Will need to restock with materials first to build up the bows and the hanger walls however !.