CVA-01 1/700 scratchbuild #2

[Thorvic]

Ugh, an in-deck elevator.     Limits the ability of what it can carry, unlike the deck edge where tails and noses can extend over the edge.

Great work on the model, and your research.     Looking forward to the final result.

The idea of having aircraft taxi on the outboard side of the island seams to be a waste of space to me. There would be very few times that air operations would be busy enough for you to taxi aircraft from the edge lift to the forward Starboard catapult while keeping the main deck clear for other air operations.

Gondor

Ah thats where you need the research, the Alaskan highway wasnt just a taxi way behind the Island, when you see the detailed drawings there are actually 4 service loations on the deck edge behind the island with weapon lifts and refuelling points.
Thus aircraft would land taxi back around the island after landing to be refuelled and rearmed and lined up to launch from the fwd catapult , waist cat aircraft would refuel either in front of the Island or aft of the deck edge left. Aicraft could be run up using the fantail area, brought up on the deck edge lift and move to the deck park prior to being lined up to launch.

The CVA-01 team had learned kessons from the operations with Victorious and Hermes, plus seen the USN super carriers in use and were looking to optimise the turn around time for flight operations without having the space and resources of a super carrier.

[Thorvic]

Some updates on the CVA-01 build with Machina Models AFVG and P139B plus Dorset Print Phantom and Buccaneer.
Still some elements to add such as arrestor wires, boats, and aerials

ebe15d31-8295-44cc-82b0-29c8adf5614c by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

a49393e3-9f5b-4358-9b14-9abbbba2f9f4 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

8d9c9140-b5a2-4a0b-9f7f-6245a7751537 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

783c39b4-2d6a-4c8c-897f-341bfc4617ec by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

20e2cc86-ffd4-4557-9cd8-e824310d90a4 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

173a4139-a010-4b9e-bb71-b62e5dde4f60 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

30ee7e9a-c420-4f4f-b685-98b2e688ea9d by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

0626fa0c-32ee-4d42-a957-d10ac8efc3d9 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr
RNAL 52 Royal Navy Aircraft Lighter - used to ferry aircraft from ship to shore

0405d5c7-638b-4a22-96ba-745900efbfb3 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr
RNAL 50 used as Deck Landing platform at RNAS Osprey in Portland Harbour, saw it many times over the years including watching Wasp & Lynx practice landings

[Gondor]

That is looking very nice indeed. The aircraft help give the ship scale.  :thumbs-up:

Gondor

[Hobbes]

Oh, excellent. Sea Dart on the stern platform?

[scautomoton]

That's looking fantastic Geoff. A few tiny crewmen dotted about and you're done!

[Vlamgat]

Fabulous!

[Thorvic]

Yes Sea Dart GWS30 on the stern, this is the same version as fitted to the Type 82 destroyer and different to the launcher used on the Type 42 destroyer and Invincibles. Had to get them from a former Shapeways contributor at similar expense !

[Thorvic]

That's looking fantastic Geoff. A few tiny crewmen dotted about and you're done!

Yeap have the starling flight deck crew, starling flight deck vehicles set for deck yugs, jumbo crane, forklifts and tow bars !!!! some of these will be in the garage space in the island !

[Weaver]

That's looking great Geoff! 

Yes Sea Dart GWS30 on the stern, this is the same version as fitted to the Type 82 destroyer and different to the launcher used on the Type 42 destroyer and Invincibles. Had to get them from a former Shapeways contributor at similar expense !

Presumably it had the same four-row 38+2 round magazine as the Type 82 as well then?

[Rick Lowe]

Nice going. 

Even in 1/700, it's a big model.

[NARSES2]

Looking good mate 

[Thorvic]

Finally finished the build of the CVA-01 based on the proper drawings just the aircraft and deck vehicles to finishe and add.
20250915_164147 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

20250915_164135 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

20250915_164110 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

20250915_164100 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

20250915_164048 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

20250915_164038 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

20250915_164021 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

The carrier group
20250915_164538 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

Comparing the latest version with the original build from 2009
20250915_164323 by Geoff Baker, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

Cor, wow and other expletives!

That looks terrific Geoff. 

[Old Wombat]

Considering they're scratch-built, both are great work, but the 2025 version shows how your skills have improved since 2009!     

[Rick Lowe]

Considering they're scratch-built, both are great work, but the 2025 version shows how your skills have improved since 2009!     

Indeed!

Though CVA-01 The Elder is nothing to be ashamed of, either. 

And you could always rework it into another version...