The Ship Model Forum

by **Dan K** » Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:18 am

The aft tower only, not whole ship.

You can't stop now.

It's a shame the model was sacrificed, though a Viking funeral is a cool way to go.

by **FFG-7** » Thu Oct 15, 2026 9:33 am

i would say normal size. http://www.navsource.net/archives/01/47a.htm

by **El Santo** » Thu Oct 15, 2026 9:12 am

Does anyone know whether Washington (BB 47, not BB 56) was intended to have a normal-sized conning tower or the XXL flagship model used on California?

by **tjwerdel** » Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:53 pm

Yeah. My Dad wanted to build a 1/48 scale RC California back in the 80's. Many visits to the San Francisco Maritime Museum to research the naval model. Burned out after the hull and partial superstructure were complete. Sat in the garage for 10-15 years before it was donated for a Viking funeral. He always hypothesized about how to build the cage masts. He's not with us any more so I'm seeing if I can pull it off. The aft tower only, not whole ship. Should be 36" tall when completed or I should say, "if completed". I have a poor history of finishing and this took me 9 months.

...so 5-D and 5-L is will be.

by **Dan K** » Sat Oct 10, 2026 10:13 am

1/48? Wow. Gonna be a big model.

by **tjwerdel** » Fri Oct 09, 2026 3:14 pm

Hello Dan, thanks. Scale is 1/48. It was a bugger figuring how to build. Has taken me 9 months for just that.

by **Dan K** » Fri Oct 09, 2026 3:07 pm

California is still in MS1 on 12/7/41. So, Dark Gray 5-D on the lower portion of the mast and Light Gray 5-L on the upper spotting tops.

Nice work on that mast. What scale?

by **tjwerdel** » Wed Oct 07, 2026 3:32 pm

Hello Fellas,

I'm building the stern cage mast for the USS California as it was on Dec 7th. I have a question regarding the paint colors for the mast. The lower section is obviously dark and upper section very light. I'm thinking the lower section is 5-N, Navy Blue and the Upper Section is 5-P, Pale Gray. Can anyone confirm those or point me in the right direction?

The attachment is the primed mast in gray. Search light platform and Lookout tower and gun platform yet to be completed

Many Thanks,

by **BB62vet** » Sun Sep 06, 2026 1:58 pm

Martin,

To your second question - Yes! that's a davit, more than likely to hoist ammo (or mid rats!!! LOL!!) FYI - I've noticed that feature on quite a few of the post Civil War later Monitors as well as pre-dreadnaught type warships.

I can't answer the other questions - beyond my pay grade!

Hank

by **MartinJQuinn** » Sun Sep 06, 2026 1:37 pm

Few more California related questions, this time about the forward fighting top. Questions embedded in the photo:

I am also trying to discern if there is a davit on the forward .50cal gun tub. I'm thinking no, but would appreciate other's opinions.

by **Dan K** » Thu Aug 20, 2026 12:35 pm

In looking at photos (and models), is it that California's signal bridge deck is 1/2 deck lower than the other Big Five sisters, thereby allowing for an extra deck to accommodate her flag facilities?

by **Dick J** » Wed Aug 19, 2026 2:35 pm

The two had very significant differences. California was a fleet flagship. As such, the flag bridge was enlarged similar to the one on Pennsylvania. This, in turn, impacted things like where the 3" gun tubs were added. The wings on the pilot house were also differently shaped. California had her CXAM radar mounted on the roof of the pilot house. You will need more than a little scratch building to convert one into the other.

by **MartinJQuinn** » Wed Aug 19, 2026 11:18 am

Found a reasonably priced 1/350 Tennessee from ISW on eBay last night and pulled the trigger. How different are the forward superstructures are California and Tennessee at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack?

by **Dan K** » Fri Jul 03, 2026 11:04 am

IMHO, i do think they are the same. I find it easier to see from astern when possible. I compared WeeVee's to TN's and then to CA as best I could because I found only one good pic of hers from astern.

by **MartinJQuinn** » Fri Jul 03, 2026 10:33 am

Jeff Sharp wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 3:45 pm

Are the yards on the forward spotting tops the same across the Big 5? I don't think the PE "lattice" included with the BWN California is correct. Before I get down a rabbit hole of using one of the other ships as template, I want to see if they are at least "similar", or similar enough to use for inspiration.

by **MartinJQuinn** » Tue Jun 23, 2026 6:03 pm

Thanks all! Appreciate the assist!

by **FFG-7** » Tue Jun 23, 2026 4:10 pm

it appears I stand corrected because of this tho 1939 Wee Vee version.

by **BB62vet** » Tue Jun 23, 2026 1:42 pm

In comparison between the photo presented and official 24" searchlight photos - details point to it being a 24" searchlight, not a 36". And also as mentioned, the size!

by **FFG-7** » Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:27 am

Dan, look at the size of the light compared to the 2 guys to the left of the light.

by **Dan K** » Tue Jun 23, 2026 7:25 am

I have to disagree. It's a 24" signal light. Compare it to the other 24" on the deck below vs. the 36" lights aft.

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