USS Nimitz (CVN-68) was completed by 1973, but not commissioned until 1975 due to the late delivery of essential components for her nuclear powerplant. In 1975, Nimitz joined the Atlantic fleet, ending Enterprise's reign as the largest warship in the world. The carrier's flight deck is generally the same as that of the Kitty Hawk, but with the cut-off forward flight deck first seen on the John F.Kennedy. Between 1975 and 1985, Nimitz made numerous cruises in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In 1980, the carrier made a round-the-world deployment. While in the Indian Ocean, she served as the sea borne base for the abortive Teheran hostage rescue mission, Operation Eagle Claw. At the start of the 1981 Mediterranean cruise, the F-14 made its air-to-air combat debut when two VF-41 Tomcats from Nimitz shot down two attacking Libyan Sukhoi Su-22 fighters. In 1987, Nimitz transferred from the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific Fleet, embarking Air Wing Nine which had previously been attached to the USS Kitty Hawk. Due to a shortage of F-14Bs, Nimitz's two Tomcat units transitioned back to the F-14A in early 1992. Kit consists of 962 parts on 31 sprues plus lower hull, upper hull, waterline plate (for optional waterline or full-hull display), hangar decks, flight decks and display stand. Also includes metal hull frame and screws, and markings for the CVN-68 variant just after it was commissioned. Kit includes 22 aircraft, 8 different types, as follows: 1 SH3H Sea King Helicopter, 1 RA5C Vigilante, 6 F4J Phantom II, 1 E2C Hawkeye, 2 A3D Skywarrior, 3 A6E Intruder, 6 A7E Corsair, 2 S3B Viking (Aircraft feature clear canopy & folding wings. Helicopter features clear fuselage & black rotors.). Also includes markings for the CVN-68 variant just after it was commissioned. Paint colors needed: Light Stone, Cocoa Brown, Matt White, Flat Black, Light Compass Grey, Orange, Dark Compass Grey, and Gunship Dark Grey.
 | This plastic model kit requires plastic cement and paint for assembly, and they are sold separately. |
| The photo-etched/metal parts require super glue and paint for assembly, and they are sold separately. |
