Okay�sorry to fall away for a while but I came down with a wicked case of AMS. The port hanger bulkhead section just killed me. This is an area that I�ve been fascinated with since a kid and was really looking forward to figuring out how the catwalks and platforms worked. I�ve never seen a kit or finished model that accurately depicted this area. In virtually all cases, the catwalks are molded (or attached) directly to (and just below) the flight deck and this just simply isn�t the case.
Under the catwalks is often a funny molded offset that kicks back to the hull. Even as a kid I could tell something was �off� between the models I was building and pictures I was seeing. Here�s a view of the kit piece to illustrate what I�m talking about.
I�m going to spend a little time exploring this area with you in the hopes we can all come to a better understanding for future builders. I don�t pretend to have this all figured out so please take this as a foundation to build from. Very few close-up photos of the port side exist � especially from below looking up. When the ship was in port, the portside was always outboard from the dock. Portside aerial fly-bys are too far away and from above giving very little detail. Refueling was done from the port side but shots are often in shadow. The best images I�ve been able to find are of the abandoning of the USS Hornet taken from the destroyer USS Russell or USS Mustin.
- CV8 Hornet Port 01_.jpg (34.84 KiB) Viewed 4071 times
- CV8 Hornet Port 02_.jpg (39.26 KiB) Viewed 4071 times
- CV8 Hornet Port 03_.jpg (32.09 KiB) Viewed 4071 times
Between these, the plans and limited portside photos, I�ve pieced together this much.
First, most of the port side catwalk sits proud of the hull by about 4 feet and is supported on cantilevered gussets or beams about 4 feet below the flight deck.
Second, the flight deck also extends 4 feet beyond the hull and attaches to the catwalk in some places but not continuously. There are a few plates that run vertically between the two but they�re really there to close off the opening to the sea below. The whole assembly looks like it�s continuously joined � from a distance, but it�s not.
Third, by looking at available pictures, you might assume the deck edge is flush with the hull, but this is an optical illusion. There�s really a 4-foot-wide void (covered by the flight deck) between the hull and catwalk. Why they did this, I have no idea. The only reason I can think of is that perhaps they needed to make the deck wider without also making the hull wider. At any rate, this gap is spanned by all sorts of storage areas and numerous gallery platforms that function as exterior landings from the gallery deck.
Fourth, the gallery deck is another 4 feet below the catwalk (+/-8� below the flight deck). From the gallery platforms (mentioned directly above) several stairs connect to the catwalks above or hanger deck below. It�s a complicated and fascinating area - and it�s all neatly covered by the flight-deck, so you never see it except from below.
- Port 02_.JPG (34.16 KiB) Viewed 4071 times
Why do manufacturers mold all this solid? Well, I think there�re several reasons.
First is that it would be costly and difficult to mold for a simple mass-produced kit.
Second � It�s all pretty much hidden from view so there wouldn�t be much benefit in getting all super detailly here.
Third � Manufacturers aren�t rivet counters. They�re interested in mass producing a reasonable representation of an actual object for a profit. And given one and two, I don�t blame them for simplifying things to kick a good kit out - and I�m super thankful.
Okay�sorry to fall away for a while but I came down with a wicked case of AMS. The port hanger bulkhead section just killed me. This is an area that I�ve been fascinated with since a kid and was really looking forward to figuring out how the catwalks and platforms worked. I�ve never seen a kit or finished model that accurately depicted this area. In virtually all cases, the catwalks are molded (or attached) directly to (and just below) the flight deck and this just simply isn�t the case. [attachment=7]Kit Example 02_.jpg[/attachment]
Under the catwalks is often a funny molded offset that kicks back to the hull. Even as a kid I could tell something was �off� between the models I was building and pictures I was seeing. Here�s a view of the kit piece to illustrate what I�m talking about. [attachment=8]Kit Example 01_.jpg[/attachment]
I�m going to spend a little time exploring this area with you in the hopes we can all come to a better understanding for future builders. I don�t pretend to have this all figured out so please take this as a foundation to build from. Very few close-up photos of the port side exist � especially from below looking up. When the ship was in port, the portside was always outboard from the dock. Portside aerial fly-bys are too far away and from above giving very little detail. Refueling was done from the port side but shots are often in shadow. The best images I�ve been able to find are of the abandoning of the USS Hornet taken from the destroyer USS Russell or USS Mustin. [attachment=0]CV8 Hornet Port 01_.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=9]CV8 Hornet Port 02_.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=6]CV8 Hornet Port 03_.jpg[/attachment]
Between these, the plans and limited portside photos, I�ve pieced together this much.
First, most of the port side catwalk sits proud of the hull by about 4 feet and is supported on cantilevered gussets or beams about 4 feet below the flight deck. [attachment=5]Port 01_.JPG[/attachment]
Second, the flight deck also extends 4 feet beyond the hull and attaches to the catwalk in some places but not continuously. There are a few plates that run vertically between the two but they�re really there to close off the opening to the sea below. The whole assembly looks like it�s continuously joined � from a distance, but it�s not. [attachment=4]Port 01b_.JPG[/attachment]
Third, by looking at available pictures, you might assume the deck edge is flush with the hull, but this is an optical illusion. There�s really a 4-foot-wide void (covered by the flight deck) between the hull and catwalk. Why they did this, I have no idea. The only reason I can think of is that perhaps they needed to make the deck wider without also making the hull wider. At any rate, this gap is spanned by all sorts of storage areas and numerous gallery platforms that function as exterior landings from the gallery deck.[attachment=3]Port 01c_.JPG[/attachment]
Fourth, the gallery deck is another 4 feet below the catwalk (+/-8� below the flight deck). From the gallery platforms (mentioned directly above) several stairs connect to the catwalks above or hanger deck below. It�s a complicated and fascinating area - and it�s all neatly covered by the flight-deck, so you never see it except from below.[attachment=2]Port 02_.JPG[/attachment]
Why do manufacturers mold all this solid? Well, I think there�re several reasons.
First is that it would be costly and difficult to mold for a simple mass-produced kit.
Second � It�s all pretty much hidden from view so there wouldn�t be much benefit in getting all super detailly here.
Third � Manufacturers aren�t rivet counters. They�re interested in mass producing a reasonable representation of an actual object for a profit. And given one and two, I don�t blame them for simplifying things to kick a good kit out - and I�m super thankful.[attachment=1]Port 02a_.JPG[/attachment]