I have to clear some space on my shelves, so I need to part with some of my collection. When you think about how close the US Navy came to having no carriers in the Pacific, you can understand this urgency. This kit is absolutely loaded with everything you could possibly need to build a breathtaking replica. There are the standard things you come to expect, like full or waterline hull, an expanded air wing of 36 assorted aircraft, detailed structures and funnels, accurate gun stations, separate elevators, etc. Then there are the extras that you don’t normally get (until you go for aftermarket parts), like six vehicles (two trucks and four tractor tugs), 18 figures, hangar interior and three frets of PE to detail guns, railings, ladders, launches, radars and safety netting. The accolades for this fabulous kit have flowed from around the web. I have opted not to include these here, but I highly recommend that you take a look. The box shows that this release is from 2025 and includes a bonus of double the aircraft. These kits were meant for China only, but I got them out somehow They provide a link to download the complete, color 8-page instruction set and painting guide. You also find many links to reviews, aftermarket parts, references and galleries that will be useful in the build. He loved everything about this kit, especially the options and bonus figures. His Conclusion starts with: This new carrier is by far the best one in this scale on the market. As with the other Dragon Smart kits, this one features a wealth of smart options and is engineered for maximum detail. I love the option to build her in her Shakedown cruise with the 5 38 guns. The addition of hanger deck interior detailing is a real plus too. He covers the abundant options and features of the kit, including the extensive air wing and detailed hangar areas. His Conclusion was. In all, a truly outstanding model of this very important light carrier. Nigel’s Modelling Bench. Posted a lengthy (54-minute) Unboxing Video on YouTube that lets you see exactly what you are getting. He shows off the specially packaged hull and deck parts that are cleverly protected from movement and scratching. This is as close to building one without getting paint on your fingers. If you need visual inspiration. He presents over 30 high resolution photos of his masterpiece. I don’t want to hate him, but somehow, I do. This kit is in a large, sturdy box about 29″ x 10.5″ x 5. As you can see from the pictures, the package is pristine and still sealed with tape strips, so I consider it. Factory sealed and absolutely gift-ready. This item contains one complete injection molded plastic model kit of the USS Independence (CVL-22) with a full or waterline hull with 36 aircraft, two trucks, four towing vehicles, 18 figures and a complete set of Cartograf decals along with three PE frets. It requires cement and paint to complete as shown. Those familiar with my listings can tell that I really enjoy these products and the modeling hobby. I like to provide more than just the bare facts about the items, trying to lead you into discovering more about the subjects and optimizing your builds (if that is your goal). I started out picking up models that I was interested in, with the eye toward building them when I had time. Always a bargain-hunter, I accumulated many more than I can build, so I found myself in a Collector status (sounds nicer than a hoarder). Now I enjoy making these products available to my fellow modelers; both Builders and Collectors. For Collectors, my goal is to save you a few bucks over the competition for the same item in factory sealed and collectible (or resellable) condition.