1/350 Aircraft Carrier Model Kits: From the USS Enterprise to the Nimitz Class

Why 1/350 carriers are big projects

Aircraft carriers are among the most impressive ship models you can build, and in 1/350 they’re also among the largest. A WWII fleet carrier finishes at around 70–75 cm, and a modern nuclear supercarrier at close to a metre. On top of the ship itself, you have aircraft, a busy flight deck, catwalks, antennas and often a lot of photo-etch.

Things that make carriers different from other warships:

• Size. Plan display space and a case before you buy.
• Aircraft. Real air groups ran to dozens of aircraft. Most kits include a partial air group, and extra aircraft sets are sold separately.
• Flight deck finish. WWII wooden decks and modern non-skid decks need different painting approaches, and markings are a big job.
• Detail density. Catwalks, gun tubs, radar and antennas reward aftermarket detail more than almost any other ship type.

Two different Enterprises

“USS Enterprise” can mean two very different kits:

• USS Enterprise (CV-6), a WWII Yorktown-class carrier. She received 20 battle stars for WWII service, more than any other US ship.
• USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1961 and inactivated in 2012. She’s much larger than CV-6 and has a distinctive island.

Make sure you know which you’re buying. They’re different ships, from different eras and different manufacturers.

Carrier kits at a glance

Lengths below are approximate, worked out from each real ship’s overall length divided by 350.

Releases come and go, so check what’s currently in production, and read a review of the specific kit you’re considering.

Tamiya USS Enterprise CV-6

Tamiya’s CV-6 is a relatively recent tooling and is generally well regarded for fit and engineering, which are Tamiya’s usual strengths. It represents a WWII carrier with a wooden flight deck, and it includes aircraft.

It’s a good choice for a first carrier. It’s smaller than a modern supercarrier, the WWII subject is simpler to finish than a modern deck full of markings, and there’s strong aftermarket support, including wooden deck sheets, photo-etch and extra aircraft. Check which point in CV-6’s career the kit represents, as her radar, anti-aircraft fit and paint changed during the war.

Trumpeter USS Enterprise CVN-65

Trumpeter’s CVN-65 is a large, ambitious kit of a unique ship. Expect a long hull, a lot of parts, modern jet aircraft and big flight deck decals. Enterprise was modified several times over a career of more than 50 years, so compare the kit with photos from the period you want and be prepared to adjust details.

Trumpeter’s Nimitz-class carriers

Trumpeter has released several Nimitz-class ships in 1/350. These kits share a common base, with parts that vary to suit individual ships. Points to know:

• Individual ships differ. Islands, sponsons, radar and defensive weapons vary between ships and change with refits. Choose a specific ship and date, then check references.
• Accuracy varies. Reviewers have praised some aspects of these kits and pointed out errors in others. Aftermarket correction and detail sets exist for popular releases.
• Big decal jobs. Modern flight deck markings are extensive, and laying large decals over a big deck takes care and patience.

Other 1/350 carriers

The 1/350 carrier range extends beyond the US Navy:

• Japanese carriers, including Hasegawa’s Akagi, are popular for their distinctive shapes and wooden decks.
• Soviet and Russian carriers, including Trumpeter’s Admiral Kuznetsov
• Other WWII US carriers. Trumpeter has also covered Yorktown-class ships.

If a 1/350 carrier is more than you have room for, a fleet of 1/700 carriers and escorts is a popular alternative. See our guide to 1/700 waterline warship kits.

Aircraft

Aircraft make or break a carrier model:

• Count what’s in the box. Most kits include a partial air group. Decide whether you want a sparse deck, a full launch spot or something in between.
• Extra aircraft sets are sold separately for many carriers. They add a lot of cost and building time.
• Folded wings let you pack more aircraft onto a deck realistically.
• Batch-build them. Paint and decal aircraft in groups, assembly-line style.
• Clear parts and propellers benefit from careful handling. Paint canopies or use clear decals if the clear parts are thick.

Flight decks

• WWII US carriers had wooden flight decks that were stained or painted in blue shades for much of the war. Some builders paint the deck, while others use aftermarket wooden decks and tint them to match.
• WWII Japanese carriers typically show more natural wood tones, with painted markings.
• Modern carriers have dark grey non-skid decks with extensive white, yellow and red markings, usually from large decals.

Use a decal setting solution for large deck decals. Applying them over a gloss coat reduces silvering. Our guide to model boat transfers and decals covers the technique.

Building tips

• Reinforce the hull. Long hull halves can warp or flex. Add internal bracing and check for straightness before gluing.
• Paint before assembly wherever possible: hangar areas, the underside of the flight deck overhang and the island.
• Work in subassemblies: hull, flight deck, island, aircraft, then final assembly.
• Leave fragile parts until last. Antennas, radar, railings and safety nets break easily during handling.
• Use photo-etch where it counts. Catwalk railings, safety nets, radar and antennas are where PE makes the biggest difference. See our guide to using photo-etched parts on plastic ship models.
• Plan the case early. A 1 m model needs a large case, and a good one can cost a significant fraction of the kit price.

Which carrier should you choose?

• First carrier: Tamiya’s Enterprise CV-6. It’s a manageable size, well engineered and a WWII subject.
• Modern carrier: a Trumpeter Nimitz-class kit, picking a specific ship and date.
• Something different: a Japanese carrier like Akagi, or Trumpeter’s Admiral Kuznetsov.
• Limited space: consider 1/700 instead.

If you’re also weighing a 1/350 battleship, our comparison of 1/350 Bismarck kits covers another popular big-ship subject. For a wider view of scales and makers, see our guide to plastic model ship kits by scale.