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. 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 seaborne 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 the 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. With the inactivation of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 2012, Nimitz is now the oldest American aircraft carrier in active service. Kit features: 31 sprues plus lower hull, upper hull, waterline plate, hangar decks, flight decks and display stand. Painting details are for the Nimitz just after she was commissioned. Either waterline version or full hull version can be constructed. Aircraft included are: 6 Phantoms, 3 Intruders, 6 Corsair IIs, 1 Hawkeye, 1 Vigilante, 2 Vikings, 2 Skywarriors, 1 sea King (total 8 types and 22 aircraft). This finely detailed plastic model kit requires assembly and painting.