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Topic review - Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans
Author Message
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
A very good point about MD.

Whatever you do, DON"T bother with the kit Kingfishers. Just not worth it. An exercise in utter frustration. Better off with 3D printed versions from either Tom's (solid canopy) or Yao's Studio (open canopy).

Also, the Five Star brass set for MD/WV is pretty comprehensive, just very soft metal which requires patience. With mods, can also mostly be used for CA/TN.
Post Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:14 am
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Another thing I just recalled about the Maryland: they removed the center anchor - capstan, scrape plates, and everything except the notch in the stem - during the same refit where she got her bulges. The 1944-45 kits have this molded in to their foredecks, but all of Trumpeter's 1941 Big 5 kits, including Maryland, have the three anchor arrangement.

- Sean F.
Post Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2024 1:39 am
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Perfect, thanks gents! I'll copy your responses to the first post in the thread for easy future reference as well.
Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:55 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
My views are similar. Assuming you want late 1941, I would add:

California needs the most work to be accurate. Her Navigation Bridge wings are missing, so that's more circa 1940. And she has big ass air intake vents molded on under the conning tower column, which need to be removed. This, in addition to Sean's comments on her.

Tennessee (which I've since built, but not posted a WIP or gallery yet) is missing 3" gun tubs up at the signal bridge level. Those can be sourced from Model Monkey.

Both CA and TN have incorrect spotting tops. The kit versions are for the Colorado class. Proper ones are also available from Model Monkey. In fact, their foretop comes with 50 cal. gun tubs printed as part of the top, so you are saved from scratch-building them. Absolutely worth it.

IIRC, Maryland is essentially good out of the box except for the oversized bulges. I didn't think filing them down was a big deal. The proper cross-section shape can be had.

West Virginia might be the best out of the box. The only real issue was that the signal bridge structure aft was actually just canvas covered, and the kit has molded it all as one sold structure. Cut away the sidewalls at a minimum, and paint that portion of the top off white. Or cut the aft portion off completely.

I think 3D printed cage masts far more accurate than the kit PE.

My two cents.
Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:30 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Timmy C wrote:
For future reference when the impulse buy strikes me...which of the Trumpy 1/700 Big 5s is the most accurate and requires the least corrections (mostly in terms difficulty, but welcome comments on quantity too)?


I think West Virginia would best fit the bill.

Tennessee is also good, but I seem to recall there was something minor I had to tweak on it. Maybe the 4 tubs for 3" AA guns were in the kit, but not mentioned in the instructions, or something like that.

California needs some vertical ribbing added to her midship splinter shields, and the kit only comes with a CXAM-1 radar, whereas BB-44 needs a CXAM (no mark).

Maryland needs surgery on her bulges, so I'd avoid her given your criteria.

- Sean F.
Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:47 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
For future reference when the impulse buy strikes me...which of the Trumpy 1/700 Big 5s is the most accurate and requires the least corrections (mostly in terms difficulty, but welcome comments on quantity too)?
Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2024 5:18 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Thanks Everyone.

All your replies are very useful, and the information here is more than I have (and I thought I had enough).

Thanks again, and Happy New Year to all of you.

Cheers,

Chris
Post Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2023 4:16 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Jon and David are correct to question the accuracy of the Wiswesser drawings. The late Edward Wiswesser was a talented modeler and draftsman who made his drawings specifically for modelers at a time when authoritative official references were not readily available or accessible, and model ships were often made from balsa and other woods. It has been reported elsewhere that he had access to some official US Navy drawings at his place of work but was prohibited at that time from making copies of those drawings for personal use. So, he made his modeler-friendly drawings after work at home from memory. In other words, they were the best drawings that could be made for modelers at that time given the constraints Mr. Wiswesser was subject to. Since that time, as more authoritative references have been found and made public, such as BoGP drawings, hi-res photographs, and some shipyard construction drawings, the Wismesser drawings have not aged well. Although enjoyable models can certainly be made from them, for the sake of best accuracy, search for better references, if available.
Post Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 6:34 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Hi Jon,

Excellent! Exactly what I was looking for.

Cheers,

Chris
Post Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 3:10 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
https://navsource.org/archives/01/pdf/014513.pdf

Found this on West Virginias Navsourse page. Right before the Pearl Harbor attack pics. Not sure how accurate it is though.
Post Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:53 pm
  Post subject:  Ships Boats carried by the WEST VIRGINIA in late 1941.......  Reply with quote
Morning All,

Would anyone know what ship’s boats (and the number of each) were embarked onboard the WEST VIRGINIA in the fall of 1941? I’ve dusted off my Tom’s Modelworks kit and going through what I’ll be replacing with 3-D printed parts, and the ship’s boats are on that list.

Happy New Year to you.

Chris Preston
Victoria, BC
Post Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:36 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
MartinJQuinn wrote:
Thanks. I have Steve's turrets with the trunnions (sans barrels), as I wanted to use brass barrels. I e-mailed Master, as suggested, and they'll consider it in the future. Meanwhile, I'll have to scour eBay...

I have his New Mexico class turrets and barrels myself.
Maybe Master will consider doing 16"/45 in 1/350 for the Colorado class as well.
Post Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 11:29 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
bioshock73 wrote:
What about Model Monkey's 14"/50 gun barrels in 1/350?
You'd have to get the turrets as well

Thanks. I have Steve's turrets with the trunnions (sans barrels), as I wanted to use brass barrels. I e-mailed Master, as suggested, and they'll consider it in the future. Meanwhile, I'll have to scour eBay...
Post Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 7:09 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
What about Model Monkey's 14"/50 gun barrels in 1/350?
You'd have to get the turrets as well
Post Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 7:52 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Jon C Ryckert wrote:
Would Arizona be close enough or is there that much difference between the barrels besides caliber/length?

Arizona's were 14"/45cal, while the New Mexico's and Tennessee class carried the 14"/50cal. So the later version was longer, and looks a little different, it seems.

Timmy C wrote:
Can you email Master to see if they can upscale their 1/700 barrels?

Not a bad idea.
Post Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 7:41 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Can you email Master to see if they can upscale their 1/700 barrels?
Post Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 3:26 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
B&D Barrels has them listed but I seem to recall that others were having trouble getting in touch with the owner. Would Arizona be close enough or is there that much difference between the barrels besides caliber/length?
Post Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 2:51 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
I seem to recall there were 1/350 turned brass 14" barrels for CA and TN, but an internet search doesn't reveal anything. Anyone know of any manufacturers making these?
Post Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 2:09 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Anybody know of a shipboard cradle like this one in 1/700 PE, to hold a Kingfisher?


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Post Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 2:31 pm
  Post subject:  Re: Calling all Pre-war "Big 5" (TN/CO class) fans  Reply with quote
Thank you both. Those documents and Rick's points about availability and usability make their absence quite clear.

Love those little tidbits of information.
Post Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:52 pm

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