At long, LONG last I am taking a shot at the "Knuckle-Nosed" hurricane bow, suitable for (among others) the two Ladies in Question:




Click on Image to EnlargeActually I am starting with this, the later (FRAM II) CVS (ASW-carrier) fit - exactly as for Hornet's Apollo 11 recovery, per the latest reboxing of the 540-scale (Revell-DE) mold. It is also the one in which Intrepid ended-up. In addition to separate (articulable) anchor parts (bottom), the bow mid-level itself - with its anchor niche and hawse "tongue" - is modular, optionally replaced with one (not shown) for the smooth stem of the CVA (attack-) and earlier CVS fits.

Likewise for a (third) module, providing below-waterline options:


Click on Image to EnlargeAgain, this will depict the (post-FRAM II) sonar dome option - here still (about 2x) too long, but to be cut down/accurized shortly. The other option (not shown) being of course the (as-launched) standard, below-waterline bulge of the Essexes.

Together, the above options will provide for easy conversion to any of the SCB-125 fits of Intrepid, Ticonderoga, Hancock, Hornet (per the latest re-release), Kearsarge or Oriskany.

So stay tuned...

Cheers,

- Matt Stein