Reviewed by Tony Bunch
SHIPS HISTORY
Built by Newport News. Laid down 1 Mar 1943; originally named Hancock, renamed 1 May 1943; launched 7 Feb 1944; commissioned 8 May 1944. Decommissioned to reserve 9 Jan 1947. SCB 27C reconstruction at New York Navy Yard started 1 April 1952, completed and recommissioned 1 Oct 1954. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 14) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at Norfolk Navy Yard 8/1956 to 1 April 1957.  FATE Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 14) 21 Oct 1969. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 16 Nov 1973. 
Sold for scrapping 15 Aug 1974 and subsequently scrapped.

Ships’ Awards:
Navy Unit Commendation (3)
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation / American Campaign Medal / Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (5 stars)
World War II Victory Medal / Navy Occupation Service Medal ("Asia" clasp) / National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (4) / Vietnam Service Medal (12 stars) / Philippine Presidential Unit Citation: Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm) / Philippine Liberation Medal (1 star) / Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
 
USS Ticonderoga CV-14 Specs:
Class: Essex (long hull) 888’ 
Aircraft 82 (as launched)
Displacement: 27,100 Tons (as launched)
Machinery: 150,000 SHP
Westinghouse Geared Turbines
4 screws
Speed 33 Knots

THE KIT
1/700 scale US Navy Postwar Aircraft Carrier (waterline) Media: 97 resin parts, waterslide decals
HULL
Length 15.140”  which equals 825’ in 1/1 scale. 888’ in 1/700 scale is 15.22”  The hull casting is quite familiar, as it appears to have its’ roots originating from a Dragon long hull Essex kit. The hangar bay has the same details both horizontal and vertical as Dragon’s kit. Here are the differences. The hull exterior has been modified with the increase in beam, added sponsons, enclosed bow, and the SCB-125 specific external details. Additionally, the number of hangar bay doors has been reduced accordingly and the starboard side elevator is in place.  Click images
to enlarge
The extreme forward corners of the hull/flight deck have the, ship to a/c antennas molded in place, but these were not molded completely. After doing some research regarding these antennae, it looks that these were removed in the late 60’s, (from pics). Also, the forward most flight deck catwalks have some support straps beneath that need some clean up. These may have benefited the modeler better if left as an additional part to attach, as opposed to having been molded into the single piece hull casting.  Likewise, there are  a number of closed chocks positioned at numerous hangar deck level external locations that; once again I think should have been left for the modeler to add on. The hull side details at the hangar deck level are simple, (stbd side escalator, the large crane etc), but are what made the SCB-125’s. 
The bow has one, “normal location”,  starboard side anchor bolster and a center mounted stem anchor bolster. There is no port side anchor bolster This is actually inaccurate for the Tico and Hancock, but is accurate for the Intrepid. The Intrepid has a different hull shape nearest the bow though, (elongated “knuckle”), and the kit would have to be somewhat manicured by the builder to do an accurate Intrepid. This determination is based upon repeated study and comparison of bow-on and bow sides images of the three ships listed. These three ships were the only Essex’s to have the starboard elevator aft of the heavy crane. So, without some serious modifications, the builder is left with three ships to build from this kit.
FLIGHT DECK
The flight deck comes in 4 pieces and looks to be, (not compared to scale drawings, but to real ships’ images), accurate in shape. There is some scribed-in detail for the catapult tracks, initial a/c catapult hook up locations and the arrestor cables, but the flight deck is otherwise barren. The scribed detail present needs to be sanded smooth, as the area immediately to the sides of each scribed line was never sanded smooth. Also the scribing around the a/c catapult hook up locations did overrun; a common scribing error, and was not corrected. The barren flight deck is a blessing when it comes to applying decals, painting and masking though. The biggest potential problem with this four piece flight deck is keeping all four pieces the combined/intended overall length after removal of the excess molded material at the ends of each individual deck piece. The forward/center deck elevator is the enlarged, “5 sided”, type.
 I was told this elevator was enlarged to fit the then new Vought F-8 Crusader type of a/c. This elevator was seen on all three ships; Tico, Intrepid and Hancock. The gun gallery decks have very nice and thin splinter shields. I hate to say it, but they are almost too thin as one of the splinter shields on this copy was split, and will need repair. Also, the catwalks molded in place on the flight deck’s perimeter are quite thin too. It’s nice to see a kit manufacturer make a sincere effort to arrive at as close to scale thickness as possible regarding the splinter shields and the catwalks.
 
SUPERSTRUCTURE PARTS
The island consists of 13 main parts; including the island main body itself, the external platforms, the mast, radars, the 5” gun directors and the upper bridge windows. 
The main body of the island looks to be accurate in shape, (compared to real ships’ pictures, but not measured and compared to scale drawings), but the port side beneath the level of the funnel base and down has no added detail. To some modeler’s regarding areas of no detail, that’s no big deal and might even be preferred. The external platforms have nice thin vertical surfaces. Be careful handling these. Also, the bottom of the island needs to be straightened and some vertical surface irregularities will need to be filled and sanded.
MISCELLANEOUS PARTS
The Weapons and Gun Directors:
There are two types of A/A weapons included with this kit: (5) 5”38 open mounts which are quite nice, and there are (4) 3”50 open mounts. If you want to build an early 60’s version, you’ll be needing more 5”38’s. The barrels and bases on both weapons are separate/detailed pieces. The instructions do not show location of either weapon, but the 5” mounts were only one per corner by the mid-late 60’s. The Mk37 directors with the radars atop are for the 5”38’s, but there are no Mk56 directors for the 3”50’s with this kit.

If the modeler wants to, the 3”50’s could be added if the kit were to be back-dated. Consult your references first; “find the differences and find the similarities”.

Small Detail Parts:
There are three sprues of small detail parts not previously listed:
1) rectangular life rafts and an assortment of anchors
2) vertical/inclined ladders, (2 different lengths), and island details
3) deck tractors of two types, a small open hull boat and two supports for the fantail upper deck.
The life rafts are WWII type, and I did not see any of these on the 60’s Tico, Intrepid or Hancock photos previously studied. The inclined ladders have a place to go, but these are not shown on the instruction sheet.

SHIPS & CO. PHOTOS
The five images below were supplied by the manufacture.
DECALS
The decal sheet provided is the same one provided with other Ships & Co. kits. It is stocked with all kinds of colorful markings. They are well registered and very sharp. Hull numbers, warning circles, Battle "E"s and deck markings are included.
INSTRUCTIONS
The instruction booklet is 4 pages stapled together with nothing on the backside of the cover page. The cover page is colored and is quite nice.
The instructions consist of a number of b/w photographs showing the kits’ parts and numbering system. The main components are clearly identified and their locations shown. There are a number of small components that are clearly numbered, but are not shown in place. Also, there are no photos of the finished model.
The Instructions are primarily for the Ticonderoga.
The instructions cover sheet lists three SCB-125 ships:
CV-11 Intrepid, CV-14 Ticonderoga and CV-19 Hancock
CV-11 was a short hull, while Tico and Hancock were long hulls originally.
Conclusions:

Greater attributes:
Long awaited subject!!!

Marginal attributes:
It’s going to take some work to make this into a nice finished model.

Lesser attributes:
The vertical and horizontal surface detail added on this kit is somewhat inconsistent quality-wise and finish-wise. The hull itself will require the modeler to, “true –up”, the bottom, sand away some finish marks mostly in the immediate bow and stern areas and do some seam work on some of the vertical surfaces. The flight deck will really test a modeler’s skills at not, “over-sanding”.

The decals don’t have the large flight deck or the numbers for the island.
I’d recommend the new Starfighter Decals sheet made especially for this kit.

No photo-etch details included to enhance the areas in need.
I’d use GMM’s 700/720-11, (USN Supercarriers), and 700-22, (watertight doors and hatches), and that ought to do it.

No airwing included in the kit.
If you want to do Tico in the 60’s, you’ll need a combination of: F-3’s, A-3’s, F-8’s, A-4’s, AD’s, E-1’s, SH-2’s, and later; A-7’s. For a CVS-14, you’ll need S-2’s, E-1’s, SH-3’s.

Somehow, I don’t think that these minor shortcomings will slow many Post War Essex Fans…………not one little bit!

Ships & Co. products are produced in Italy and available in the US from Pacific Front Hobbies for $199.00. 
The preceding review has been approved by Syd!


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