Trumpeter 1/700 scale USS Nimitz CVN-68

Kit: No. 05714
Scale: 1/700
Manufacturer: Trumpeter, from Stevens International, 856-435-1555, www.stevenshobby.com
Price: $80.96
Comments: Injection-molded, 654 parts (25 photoetched metal, 1 wire), decals
Pros: Excellent detail, great fit, form-fitting plastic "sea" base, good decals
Cons: Many tiny parts difficult to handle, most areas of clear parts must be painted

Having built Trumpeter's 1/350 scale Nimitz, I was not surprised that the smaller version was similar in most aspects, but different in a few. Optional full or waterline hull is offered, along with the handy vacuum-formed clear-blue plas tic sea base with a depression to hold the waterline model. Decals provide all the deck markings, and a separate sheet has all the markings for the aircraft.
Let's talk about what's different from the larger kit. The most interesting area is the hangar deck detail, with bulkheads, fire doors, and equipment that was missing from the larger kit. However, all of this goes unseen when the flight deck is attached.
The flight deck is one piece versus the three-piece affair in 1/350 scale. I painted it gloss engine gray, then used the decals to mark the deck. The decals were excellent and went down without trouble. I didn't like Trumpeter's choice of wire for the arrestor cables, preferring monofiliment. I used the wire and had difficulty keeping the cables taut.
The island construction is simplified considerably, but the observation windows and the main superstructure are molded in clear plastic. Still, there are 70 parts to the island and 41 parts to the main mast. It took 3.5 hours to put the superstructure together.
All the aircraft are molded in clear styrene, apparently to retain clear canopies. I guess you could mask the tiny specks and paint the gray and white camouflage schemes, but I found it easier to paint the airplanes first then simulate the canopies with blue-gray paint.
The kit represents Nimitz early in its career, so the air wing has Phantoms, Intruders, Corsair IIs, Vigies, Hawkeyes, Skywarriors, and Sea Kings. Each has multiple parts including landing gear and drop tanks. I'm glad that Trumpeter has abandoned the use of the slippery black plastic for the landing gear, but there are no gear doors molded on. Unlike the larger kit, you don't have an option to pose wings folded unless you perform plastic surgery. The aircraft decals are excellent.
I made my model in waterline form, and back-painted the sea base with Polly Scale dark sea blue. I used white mixed with blue and straight white to accent the molded-in wakes.
Once again, I was impressed with the overall fit and detail, especially for this small scale. The finished model far surpasses the previous (and slightly smaller) Italeri 1/720 scale Nimitz. I would expect that Trumpeter will reissue the kit with different fitments and air wing as a more current ship. It's a fine addition to this aircraft- builder's closet carrier collection.
- Paul Boyer