Kangnam 1/600 USS Enterprise CVN 65 By Michael Benolkin

Background

The USS Enterprise (CVN 65) was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world and served as the prototype for the Nimitz-class that would follow (CVN 68 through CVN 77). First commissioned in 1961, the Enterprise remains on active duty today. Capable of carrying almost 100 aircraft (according to her specifications), the Enterprise was able to carry a wide range of tactical and strategic aircraft every time she left port.

The Kit

MRC has recently started distributing the Kangnam (South Korea) line of kits in the US market, including this 1/600 version of the USS Enterprise.

On opening the box, you are quickly impressed with the quantity of the parts that make up a kit of this scale. While no formal parts count is provided in this kit, I counted over 440 parts that are strictly for the hull, island and superstructure.

The hull is a two-piece affair that separates at the bow. The main hull is fully water tight (if you plan to sail your carrier) with a bulkhead sealing off the separate bow. I am not certain if this was done to facilitate an easier mold or if there is a different bow configuration (without the submerged bulb) that might be offered in the future.

Molded in light gray styrene, this is the first time to my recollection that the Enterprise has been rendered in 1/600 scale. Even in 1/600 scale, the hull is 21 inches long! The flight deck is typical of most aircraft carrier kits, this being the molded on deck stripes and hull number. Parts are included for all of the radars and antennas that are unique to the Big E and her superstructure.

A nice array of aircraft are provided to represent the Enterprise's air wing. In the photo to the right, the aircraft tree on the left is one of eight that are included in this kit, while the tree on the right is one of two. This yields an airwing consisting of:

• 8 x F-14 Tomcat (extra wings are provided to position the wings swept or unswept)

• 8 x FA-18 Hornet

• 8 x A-6 Intruder

• 8 x A-7 Corsair II

• 8 x S-3 Viking

• 8 x F-4 Phantom II (the shape needs a little work)

• 2 x E-2 Hawkeye

• 2 x Sea King helicopters

Conclusion

This is an impressive model in 1/600 scale, which makes me wonder how people display the Tamiya 1/350 CVN 65 at nearly 40 inches long! The array of details as well as an excellent compliment of aircraft will make your Enterprise a showpiece in your scale fleet (without sinking your shelf space or budget). Modelers of all ages and skill levels will have no problems with this one.

My sincere thanks to MRC for this review sample!