The Ship Model Forum

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.

by **FFG-7** » Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:22 pm

is at least a 36" when doing a size comparison with the 2 men to the left of it.

by **MartinJQuinn** » Mon Jun 22, 2026 8:35 pm

36" searchlight?

by **MartinJQuinn** » Sat Mar 21, 2026 1:33 pm

Comparing the picture that Jeff posted (left) to the 1937 shot I posted (right), it does seem like that pipe from the incinerator to the funnel was modified at some point.

by **MartinJQuinn** » Sat Mar 21, 2026 9:41 am

Found some additional photos, cropped them to show the forward funnel piping arrangement on BB-48. First one is from 1937, the second from 1939. Photos are from NARA II, via Roger Torgeson.

: BB48 West Virginia 6Apr1937 80-G-466160_crop.jpg (45.52 KiB) Viewed 5708 times

: BB48 West Virginia 9Feb1939 80-G-466161-crop.jpg (71.32 KiB) Viewed 5708 times

by **MartinJQuinn** » Thu Mar 19, 2026 8:04 pm

Thanks Jeff. I guess it was the incinerator then. From the port side it looked like the pipe went much farther forward.

by **Jeff Sharp** » Tue Mar 17, 2026 9:53 pm

Here's a look at it.

by **FFG-7** » Tue Mar 17, 2026 7:06 pm

the pipe in the photo is in the same location as on the plans & is the pipes on the other battleships the same od as the upper part of the pipe near the top of Wee Vee's funnel?

by **MartinJQuinn** » Tue Mar 17, 2026 6:47 pm

I saw that too. You may be right, but this seems to go farther forward, and the pipe is larger than the incinerators found on other battleships.

by **FFG-7** » Tue Mar 17, 2026 2:14 pm

1939 Sheet 6 - Upper & Superstructure Decks shows the garbage incinerator was located there.

by **MartinJQuinn** » Tue Mar 17, 2026 12:38 pm

Question about West Virginia's forward funnel. I am going to guess that the item circled is a pipe venting from the crew's galley, which was located just forward and below the funnel. Trying to figure out where it connects, as it's obviously been severed in these photos.

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