BRICK CARRIER – CVN-78 is an independent, long-term scale engineering project dedicated to the systematic construction of a highly detailed 1:40 representation of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78).
Rather than focusing on speed or visual impression alone, the project treats the aircraft carrier as a complex engineering system, designed, tested, documented, and refined over many years.
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) – reference system and conceptual foundation for the project.
Project Scope
The project aims to represent the USS Gerald R. Ford at a scale of approximately 1:40, resulting in a structure several meters in length.
At this scale, the carrier can no longer be treated as a single object. It must be divided into clearly defined modules, layers, and interfaces to ensure structural stability, transportability, and long-term maintainability.
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▌ Key Principle │
│ Every design decision is evaluated against │
│ structural load paths, modular interfaces, │
│ and long-term serviceability. │
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Engineering Approach
BRICK CARRIER approaches the model not as a decorative replica, but as an engineered structure.
The carrier is designed in layers (substructure, internal volumes, flight deck, and island), each with clearly defined responsibilities and constraints.
Structural integrity, modular repeatability, and interface consistency are prioritized over early detailing.
A Lifetime Project by Design
The scope and scale of the project deliberately exceed short-term build cycles.
Treating BRICK CARRIER – CVN-78 as a lifetime project allows engineering decisions to mature, be tested, corrected, and improved without the pressure of artificial deadlines.
This long horizon enables a depth of structural, logistical, and conceptual exploration that would otherwise be impossible.
What This Project Is – And Is Not
This project is:
- A structured engineering exploration
- A modular, scalable physical system
- A documented long-term endeavor
- A potential future exhibition object
This project is not:
- A speed build
- A decorative display piece
- A commercial toy product
- An officially affiliated naval project
Going Deeper
Subsequent sections of this website explore the motivation behind the project, the detailed engineering principles, current progress, and opportunities for support or partnership.