Guest wrote:
I am currently building the MK 8 radar and MK 38 gun directors for my 1/96 scale USS Missouri as in 1945.
Can anyone advise the dimensions of the railings on the gun directors - height and diameter of stanchions, distance between lifelines, and also the same measurements of the railings for the rest of the superstructure.
As I understand it there were only two lifelines on the superstructure railings in 1945.
Thanks David
Guest (David) -
You might consider joining the forum (I'll assume you have not) and share your build. One good source of information for building IOWA class BB's, esp. in 1/96 would be The Floating Drydock's EPlan Book USS MISSOURI (BB-63). The entire ship is drawn out in 1/8" = 1'-0" drawings (1/96 scale) giving both plan and elevations of all decks/levels, etc.
In reverse order:
1) The
majority of lifelines found within the superstructure area consisted of (3) lifelines. The only areas I've found that have (2) lifelines were: (a) on the 04/05 Level right behind the Forward Stack; (b) the short, curved walkway area between the triple quad 40mm mounts amidships; (c) the Mk. 57 FC Tub after-access platform on the After Stack; (d) platforms accessing the Mk. 57/Mk. 51 GFCS Tubs on the After Main Battery Tower (3 pl.).
2) I have found no dimensions for lifelines on any of the GFCS rangefinder or director drawings - however, the lower two lifelines on the main deck were 7/16" dia. and the upper lifeline was 9/16" dia. - you could use that as a guide. There are U.S. Navy BuShip drawings available that give dimensional data for all stanchions, etc. used on WWII era ships - you might try looking up this information. I can share that an acquaintance who was a docent on USS WISCONSIN did measure some items on the forward Mk. 37 FC Director for me and the handrail was 1 1/4" dia. pipe - so, you could use that as a guide for scaling your various handrails. 1/96 scale would make that 0.013" dia. or 0.33mm dia. I think a 0.30mm dia. would work fine. This isn't rocket science!
3) As for heights of stanchions, distances between, etc. - you need to find scaled drawings of these FC directors (again, refer to the EPlan Book, etc.) and do the math.
Hope this helps,