This kit is pretty much my dream aircraft carrier kit. I see an LSO platform, and the Belknap pole, two items notoriously missing from other earlier companies' offerings. (Italeri ultimately did include a Belknap pole in their last boxing of their Nimitz class kit, but never an LSO platform. Neither item was on my Trumpeter Lincoln.) Both are not that hard to scratch build, but...why?... Why should I have to?
As far as the aircraft... The kit shows fragments of a future wing composition. Actually perfect for me because I have a carrier for the present wing composition. I want to expand into the future, and this provides a "core" upon which to expand, as well as a suitably configured ship to host it.
Last I checked, F-35C has only been deployed twice. Only the two carriers which deployed them are suitably upgraded for them. ALL our carriers (including the Ford) require certain classified upgrades before they can embark the F-35C. "Somewhere on the internet" I came across a schedule of which carriers will get that upgrade when. Ford is not scheduled for several more years. So, having those F-35C is "futuristic." As are the Stingray drones. They're not scheduled to deploy until about 2026, IIRC. They're still very much in a developmental state.
Besides the missing helicopters and Growlers which you mention, folks looking for a more complete aircraft complement need to obtain CMV-22 Osprey COD aircraft. The Greyhounds are going away, and indeed, F-35C can not be deployed without the Osprey COD. Greyhounds can not carry replacement F-35 engines. Only the Osprey is able to deliver that item.
Here's a chart of the projected airwing of the near future" :
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/picture-outlining-the-future-development-of-the-us-navy-carrier-air-wing.785596/
As you said... We all know how to get planes! I am already planning my purchases. First, I have to get the Ford! It is released in Asia, but shipping to the US cost nearly as much as the kit itself from the site I wanted to order from, doubling the price. (I am both envious that you have the kit, and curious where you got it from. I suspect that--as a reviewer--you obtained it in a way I won't be able to.) At this point, I am very impatiently awaiting Squadron to get them in stock.
Thank you a ton again for this review, Mario! Exactly fit what I was looking for (short of the kit itself.)
from...'Magic Factory' a 1/700 Styrene plastic ....
USS GERALD R. FORD
CVN-78
I hope you will enjoy the unboxing and/or comment on YouTube or here.
M. Mares
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