I am relieved that USS GRF is at least available in plastic for the same reasons that you give, resin too expensive and I'm not interested in 3D prints for full kits because I see a lot of flaws and trouble with what's available presently with the pioneer stage. I'm very comfortable with IM because I know it best and it's home, doesn't matter if it's a little bit clunky in detail.
I have to add Ford to my collection if for no other reason than it's the most impressive and expensive human made movable object on the planet (13 billion US$ per unit?), and as a target she would have to be the world's most prestigious. The PRC already have a full scale outline mock-up of her laid out at their weapons target range.
But she also looks fabulous - if odd with the very rear island* - and though my limited 1/700 fleet is always waterline I'm not going to pass up that bulbous underwater bow.
The air wing is a bit disappointing but I find that with most carrier kits, seems to be an after though with most manufacturers and is left up to the individual modeler to get together what they want. These days that's not too much of a problem and I totally agree that one of the best sources is L'Arsenal who do excellent printed aircraft, however as you pointed out extra markings are a concern. One way out is to somehow acquire an extra decal sheet from the manufacturer and juggle the buzz numbers so at least you can double up, though not easy to do if at all.
I couldn't tell easily from your review how many if any extra individual aircraft markings were supplied with the decal sheet. Without extras it is always difficult and in 1/700 scale near impossible to paint the intricate markings used by the USN on their planes, and the after market can't accommodate because of the large and unsure variation in markings economically.
As for etch what's supplied looks basic (nets?) so antenna's unique to GRF would have been appreciated regardless of extra cost but railings and steps are generically easily enough to come by elsewhere.
Your video shows very clearly the size of this model at this scale and I couldn't go any bigger, I have no idea where those who wish for 1/200 scale find a home for and display their models, even in 1/350 the completed kit would be gigantic.
Again thanks for the review, appreciate it.
* HMS' QEII and POW with their double islands look far odder, and always will!
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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