Scratchbuilding the USS Santee (CVE-29) in 1/96

[Bill Waldorf]

Hello again all.......
Well, you got me going again. Bet everyone thought I went to the moon. I kinda have. First off, the Indiana Project is on hold for now, due to this new project. The USS Santee was a Sangamon Class escort carrier. They were the largest and most heavily armed of all the escorts. Converted from tanker hulls. The Sangamons still retained their ability to carry a lot of fuel. This new project was requested by the Escort Carriers Sailors and Airmens Assn. (ESCAA) and will be bound for permanent display at the Hampton Roads Maritime Museum in Virgina. Due date is coming soon and I am behind! Another twist on this one is I will attempt a waterline model. Hope I can do the water as good as some of it I have seen on this site. It will be a challenge in 1/96. Anyway here goes.......

The USS Santee was the only escort carrier of the Sangamon Class to use Measure 17 camoflage, a scheme that was the same on both port as starboard. Santee was converted from the tanker Esso Seakey in 1942.

Another view of the ship. SBD's, F4F's and TBF's on deck. Note the openings on the sides of the ship. This was the main deck of the tanker. Also note the weathering. Photo was taken enroute to North Africa during late October 1942.

Here's some shots of the model. I've come along a bit since these photos were taken. The hull is now sheeted off with one layer of 1/16" balsa, and awaiting another.

[Bill Waldorf]

Heres some more shots of the project. Are we only allowed three pics?? Anyway, here ya go.......

Stb. side fwd. here. Note the sheeting at the waterline. This was done to stiffen the structure before attaching the bottom at waterline. You can see the main deck of the tanker is installed but only where you will se it thru the openings in the sides of the hull. Hanger deck will go above this. There are small overhead door openings ther too. I'll put in an aircraft or two eventually and you'll see a little bit of them on the hanger deck.

Dead on bow view here.

Well, there you go. That's it for now.I'll try to stay in touch as much as I can. Three pics at a time is a drag........??????? Stay tuned....More to come...... Best to all

Here's an overall view of stb side. You can see that main deck of the original tanker a little better in this photo.

Here's an overall view of stb side. You can see that main deck of the original tanker a little better in this photo.

[MartinJQuinn]

Welcome back Bill - good to see you here. If you use the "place inline" button for attachments, you can upload 5 pictures per post.

[kennylibben]

Looks great, I forgot how nice of a shop you have!

[Bill Waldorf]

Hey Kenny, I forgot how to do this. It'll come back..... Thanks! Bill W.

[TommyL]

Hey Bill,

You don't know how nice it is to see you post on the forum. I have to ask though about the Indiana build. I assume you finished her off to do this new project.

Post some pictures of her. I really liked the detail on the 16"MK3 50.Cals

Anyway, its nice to see your posting.

TommyL.

[Bill Waldorf]

No, Indiana not finished. I wish it was......it stares at me every night saying ...work on MEEEEEE. One thing at a time. This carrier is important to the WW2 boys as they are getting older. We lose many as each year passes. Soon they will all be gone. They are a hell of a group of fine men. I was proud and will be proud to meet more of them.

I continue On.......................

[TommyL]

Good.

TommyL.

[ARH]

Thats a great start Bill, good to see you back were you belong.

[bismarck builder]

hi bill
long time !
what ever you build we all can learn something from it glad your back
gary

[JPH]

Welcome back Bill

Looking forward to seeing the Santee built up.

[Reid]

GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK!!! it has been a while!! you are starting off with a bang Bill!!!

[J. Soca]

Good to see you back Bill , I see you have your hands more than full now...
keep it up

Jose

[Keith Bender]

Bill , Good to see your building again. I know this will be a beauty, just like the rest of your collection, Keith

[Ludwig]

hallo Bill,

Glad to see you back Bill , could you tell me(us) which plans do you use to build this beauty? A carrier build is one of my future projects.

regards,

Ludwig

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Bill A change of scene is good as a rest . Wonderful subject , I do like those flat tops, as you know . But I'll echo the thoughts of all that has been said "WELCOME BACK" .Oh by the way today I've been in seventh heaven treading the hollowed flight deck of Ark Royal .
Dave Wooley

[Bill Waldorf]

hallo Bill,

Glad to see you back Bill , could you tell me(us) which plans do you use to build this beauty? A carrier build is one of my future projects.

regards,

Ludwig

Plans from Floating Drydock..... See main page,,, HTH... Bill W

[Rene]

Hello and good to hear from you again!

I have always followed your projects so all I would like to saay is glad to have you back again my deepest respect is with you!
Glad to see that you have chosen to build one of those Sangamon class CVE's. You might not remember me, but I'm the one who has build the USS Sangamon in 1:72 (and meanwhiloe I have finished her)I still have lots of material about that ship you if you are looking for something specific, let me know, perhaps I can give you some help. Besides the plans from Floating Drydock the fromer crewmembers provided me with some additional "original plans" so they are not the best quailty they are good enopugh to show several details you cannot find on the plans from Floating Drydock. Besides of that dozens of pictures and some other pretty useful documents.

As I have already said, if you need some informations let me know and I would gladly give you any help!

If you want to take a llok at my model here is the Link: http://usns.biz/index.php?option=com_co ... Itemid=124

Keep up your fantastic work and your faith

René Hieronymus
www.usns.biz

[Jose Chaica]

Hi Bill...Nice to see you are back....

What will the time frame be for Santee ??? If you´re going to build an early war Santee, You´ll have to backdate Floating Dridock´s plans, as they are supposed to be for a 1945 version, right ??? I know that the island configuration was different, as well as the radar and they had less AA.

Anyway, I´m really glad to see you (and your work) back.

Best Regards.

[JIM BAUMANN]

Hi Bill

GREEEaaat! Glad you have a new focus--I like those wee carriers!!

Wish you all the strength and determiantion you could bneed to see this model thru!

BTW

Rene's model is also a waterline model--text is german--but pics are selfexplanatory

here is a link to the blow-by blow build report
http://usns.biz/index.php?option=com_po ... ry&catid=3




JIM B