USS Enterprise CVAN-65 & CVW-9 1968

[@rickgregory9616]

Hi John. Nice job on the U.S.S. Enterprise. I built a 42" wooden model of the U.S.S Ronald Reagan a few years back. Fun build but tedious work when it came to the rigging, the tower and planes. You did an excellent job!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very nice John

[@EdsAttentionToDetail]

I believe I mentioned recently that I deployed onboard USS Enterprise CVN-65 from Jun to Dec 1996 in VF-103 as part of CVW-17. I was an E-5 at the time, AD2 (aviation Machinest Mate). The ships Island had be modified from the original Square Island to a more conventional looking structure. For the age of the ship it was in very good shape and boy could she move. We were the fastest ship in the Battle group and in several cases we had to slowdown to let the escorts catch up. One of the neat and most frustrating things about the Enterprise flightdeck was that the aircraft elevators were not a solid deck like most other carriers but were a large grate. You could see the water passing by below but you ever dropped anything while on the elevators you could consider it gone. Our QA department finally stopped investigation lost tools if we dropped them on an elevator. Your project is simply outstanding. Amazing research and patience. BZ (Bravo Zulu - Well done)

[@mightyjjk1298]

I saw the elevator grates on the DVD. Just assumed all were like that, for weight purposes, etc. Thanks for the info. Very cool that she was so fast. I had learned that she could make a pretty tight turn for her size. Thanks for sharing and for the kind comment. And again, thank you for your service.

[@boccelounge]

Well done sir. A perfect recap to your very entertaining build videos. Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@mightyjjk1298]

@@boccelounge Thanks so much for your kind comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the build videos.

[@seamybmw]

OUTSTANDING work Sir and dedication Charlie Mac sent me over new sub here greetings from Ireland John👍👍🏆🏆

[@mightyjjk1298]

Thank you for the view, kind comments, and sub!

[@charlie418791]

What a great project , John !! Well thought out and planned. Love how you built each plane. Brilliant work , lad. Brilliant. 👍👍

[@mightyjjk1298]

Thanks so much Charlie. I greatly appreciated your Constitution project as I was working on this. Indeed, at one point I was tiring of this project and yours inspired me to get back to it. Thanks again.

[@davidchin350]

Very nice completion to your long term Big E and related aircraft build. Thanks for the plane lineup and summary.👍

[@mightyjjk1298]

Thanks David

[@willdyer3371]

Man what a project! Perseverance pays off great job.

[@mightyjjk1298]

Thanks so much. Yeah, can't believe I'm finally finished.

[@michaelhintzmikesminiature1812]

Loved hearing all the history. Such a Cool build!!!! Love all the larger builds to go with the ship. To thumbs up!!!!! Now that the project is all done you're not going to know what to do. Thanks for sharing

[@mightyjjk1298]

Thanks Mike. Well I didn’t work on it straight through. There were other builds in between each project kit. If you’ve noticed , I’ve accumulated quite a few motorcycles, cars and armor. So I m looking forward to doing a wider variety of builds. Thanks again for your support and the kind words.

[@ramblers69]

An amazing project John, one to be proud of, 😎👍

[@mightyjjk1298]

Thanks so much Tom. Yeah, can't believe I'm finally finished. BTW, I've appreciated the support with all your comments along the way. Thanks again.

[@FreeMan-JPLK]

Beautiful !

[@MadGeniusProductions_MGP]

Just an amazing overall project John! The detail you put into not only the builds but cataloging everything is just brilliant! What is the next long term project?

[@mightyjjk1298]

Thanks so much Joe. I'm not really sure I'll do another one like this. At least not one that takes this long. I've done the Blues, the T-Birds, all the Presidential Aircraft and this Carrier/Squadron project. I do have a collection of kits that may fit the bill in my stash, as I'm thinking about a "Between the Wars Aircraft" project, during which aviation transitioned from bi-planes to single wings. But I think I'm just going to build whatever strikes my fancy for awhile. BTW, I'm looking forward to your Mig series. I have few of those in the stash as well. Thanks again.