Review of 1/350 USS Essex LHD-2

[@JM7284]

Photo etch is this eras building a ship in a bottle. I want to do this hobby for fun and to relax. That much PE....that is not a relax type thing. Thanks for the unboxing review. It saved me money! It also saved me frustration!!!! Cheers.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

PE is not necessarily for everyone, but I love working with it. Glad the review helped you taking a decision 👍

[@hidalgohouse3815]

This gentleman should have 20,000 plus subs.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thank you 😊 I appreciate you saying so, but I don’t so apparently I am doing something wrong 🤷‍♂️

[@hornet1178]

I just finished the Wasp with the Pontos set and HS models sets. Took me about 1k hours. Have fun! you'll get your moneys worth.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks, sounds like it is going to be a fun one 🤩

[@jeremymishefske1754]

Nice kit Kenneth! You did a great review. I spent a few deployments on the USS Iwo Jima while in the Marines as part of the 26th MEU. You brought back great memories. I will have to get this model. Have a great weekend my friend!

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks Jeremy! So happy to hear that the video brought back good memories. Good luck with the shopping ;-)

[@vicparratt7523]

Liked the kit review but was disappointed with the amount of flickering on the video! Best wishes Vic.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks for the feedback, not sure why one of the cameras started to act like that. I tried to adjust the lights without luck obviously, I’m sorry that it was a disappointment 😔

[@vicparratt7523]

@@NorwegianModellingBench It didn't prevent me enjoying the video I love your reviews and your building skills are near the top of the tree. Best wishes Vic.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

@@vicparratt7523 Glad to hear that you were able to still enjoy it, and I appreciate the kind words 😊 Regards Kenneth

[@michalkarczewski6775]

Great review. Just one remark. It is not first completed kit released by Pontos. I believe, first one was Soya in 1:250. Superb one. Cheers

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks! Then there has been several, I were not aware. Have a great one!

[@dundonrl]

I served on her from 13 April 93 to 13 April 98, made two deployments as well. Great ship, and even though she's getting old she's still getting it done!

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thank you for your service! I hope I can build a good representation of her.

[@JohnPetro-ll3gk]

Just cracked mine open and was gobsmacked. What a fantastic kit! Definitely looking forward to this one.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Great to hear that you are happy with it as well. Looking forward to tackling that kit as well 😉

[@andreaselesky9970]

When I was aboard her asa Marine, the lower well deck sides were covered in wood planking to keep hover craft and landing craft from damaging the hull.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thank you, that is valuable info when I get started on her!

[@zacharynix2691]

Looks great. Still waiting on the full interior version of this

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

I think it is a good starting point at least. A full interior would be appreciated, but I haven't seen any vendors planning to release that yet.

[@Marterrin]

Cannot wait to see you build this one, there are very few build videos of the wasp class.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

😄 Probably a 2024 project, I will most likely start on the BB-63 next.

[@CarbonSymphony]

I served on that ship and painted many murals inside the mess decks and the hangar bay. Wonder if the aligator is still there.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Cool 😊 Maybe it still is 🤷‍♂️

[@gretholondeporey8527]

I have the patch. LHD-2 "Take the pain"

[@gretholondeporey8527]

I also have the regular 2nd to None Patch

[@Manuel1976]

Hi, nice review. Is not the first time when Pontos released a complete kit. They have a 1/700 Yamato.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks for the info, I haven't seen that one.

[@johnathan133]

@@NorwegianModellingBench Its a beautiful kit. I have it in my stash just waiting for the day to start it.

[@MrCarsdude]

nice kit kennith! its been awhile, nice job on the enterprise, she looks great!

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thank you very much :-)

[@willthorson4543]

I didn't serve in the navy(I was an army grunt) but I lived about 1.5 hours from Bremerton naval yard in western Washington. You wouldn't realize how big assault ships are until you see them in person. But they go there for refurbishing. I've always to wanted to do the Tarawa. By the way. The was kit is from merit. A trumpeter minor company

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

I haven’t seen one in person, but they are impressive ships. The fighting power these ships carry is overwhelming. I haven’t seen the Tarawa kit 🤔

[@plasticmonkey5594]

Great reveiw do like the idea its all in one kit ,stay safe have a great week

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks Paul! I definitely agree, it is a step forward. If it was made ready for the PE then it would be even better IMHO. Have a great weekend!

[@Laura_Battleship_Row]

Nice review Kenneth. Looks like a nice kit to build. What are the overall dimensions, I don’t find them anywhere.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks! I agree, just pondering about what to build next after the BB-63; the LHD-2 or CVN-78. The dimensions are the same as for the LHD-1: www.trumpeter-china.com/index.php?g=home&m=product&a=show&id=2781&l=en

[@Laura_Battleship_Row]

@@NorwegianModellingBench Hmm 🤔 a bit small, I may wait for the 1/200 scale version 🤣😂🤣😂 shame they didn’t resin print the F35’s

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

@@Laura_Battleship_Row Well... it is 1/350 so it wouldn't make sense that it was bigger 😂 I agree, that's why I ordered the F35B's from 3D-wild

[@hansgoddijn1732]

Hello Kenneth, do you know if this kit is available in Europe stores ? In Holland where I live I can not find any store. Great kit to see you build 👍🏻😉

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Have you checked Plastmodel.pl or Hannants?

[@gretholondeporey8527]

I served on that ship. Looks fun.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thank you for your service! Yes if you are into modelling it is a lot of fun 😊

[@gretholondeporey8527]

@@NorwegianModellingBench Thanks for the recognition. I did a model of the CIWS that was my equipment on the Essex. I didn't paint it because it looked cooler with the brass parts. I ended up applying the decals then giving it several coats of matte acrylic Sealer. Also I left the front cover off of the radome so one can see the parabolic Tracking antenna.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

@@gretholondeporey8527 Cool, in which scale? Is the radome off-white?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Looks like it'll build into a beautiful model Kenneth.. but the packaging on those 3d printed parts is terrible. I noticed you got the clear parts out then edited the video.. more broken parts I guess?

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Indeed Nigel, a lot of beautiful parts. The packaging in general could have been better, and at least those fragile parts. Ahh. They weren't broken, I just did not realise what they were at first. But they are the canopies for the F-35's. I didn't see anything broken, but I will do the inventory later ;-)

[@hansgoddijn1732]

Hi Kenneth, did you buy this kit online through Pontos? And what did you pay in euro’s ? I’m curious when you will start with this impressive kit 😉👍🏻

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Hi. Yes I bought it through hobbydecal.com, it was USD 480. At this point it will probably be the next ship after the BB-63 😊

[@richardwaskey1238]

thats my baby, plankowner

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Sweet 😀 Do you know of any good sources for reference photos?

[@dundonrl]

Not a Plankowner, but I was the first CD division Sailor to check on after comissioning.

[@kenthektor3869]

Trevligt Kenneth! Men detta är inte den första "kompletta" byggsatsen från Pontos. Du har "Soya" som funnits en längre tid samt en Yamato i 1/700 som jag har i min stash.

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Takk Kent! Det har noen andre kommentert også, my bad 😉 Man lærer noe nytt hver dag 😅

[@Oneonone2020]

I want a 1/350 models but either jets or helicopter but there so hard to find

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

You can find those from Trumpeter in many stores, 3D-Wild also sells them.

[@usssaratogacv3lefevre978]

Nice review, this your next build?

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Thanks, no I will most likely start on the Hobbyboss BB-63 next.

[@Pauedo]

​@@NorwegianModellingBenchwow this is a great news! HB BB63 is on my to do list. Hope you will upgrade with the pontos set! I will follow you with great attention! So com'on finishing the Enterprise! 😂😂😂

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

@@Pauedo Great to hear, and yes with a doubt with the Pontos detail up set 😉

[@joserobertoviana6383]

Maravilhoso

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

Hard to disagree 😉

[@davidlongley534]

$750 to rich for me

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

The asking price is $560 ;-)

[@davidlongley534]

@@NorwegianModellingBench Australian price

[@chrisohara2325]

Is it much different than spending $200-250 for a kit then another $500-$550 for the detail set?

[@NorwegianModellingBench]

@@chrisohara2325 If that is the case for you then no, but for me it was cheaper than buying them separately.