by John Bange
1/500 USS Hancock CV-19 (Scratchbuilt)
This is my attempt at a "long hull" Essex class carrier. The long hull is made of cedar and basswood. The sides have some kit parts inserted into them. I used an island from another Lindberg kit adding a PE radar fit. The 40mm's are from Revell as are the 5" single mounts. the 5" 38 twin mounts are the new Matt Stein pieces which are the best thing that has happened to this scale in a long time.
I have a lot of trouble with aircraft. Painting is difficult for me and it shows. It is too bad really because the Corsairs from Gary Johnson are very good. The new items are the TBF's from Matt Stein. very nice also! Both deserve better paint jobs.
I tried to show the flight deck planking on this model by scribing the balsa flight deck.
Anyway, she makes a good companion to my Lexington and was a lot of fun to build. I am sure I will be adding stuff to her for a long time...if only someone would produce some carly floats for them. john
