Picked up working on my St. Louis this evening.
And discovered that the bridge is all kinds of screwed up. So I am going to re-build it, since it is mostly the decking/platforms that are screwed up (and those are easily sanded off and replaced with a .01" Styrene that will look better, anyway).
I hope that you will pardon the brevity, I have been arguing with idiots all day who cannot do basic arithmetic (trying to teach basic set theory).
The kit is a Midship Model's 1/700 St. Louis.
The box says "1943," but I know that cannot be, because it has no twin 40mm tubs P/S before the bridge, and P/S Aft of the superstructure (before Turret #4). And it still has the 4 1.1" Tubs as well.
What I am trying to find out is if the back of the bridge was the same before/after the November 1942 Outfitting?
And..... What did that bridge look like?
I have been digging all over the internet (and Navsource), but can find nothing to show what the back of the bridge superstructure looked like.
Also, re: The Front of the bridge.
It looks like the lowest platform, around what I guess is the Conning Tower on the St. Louis, is flush with the front of the bridge face below it, re: This Photo:
http://www.navsource.org/archives/04/049/0404906.jpgIs that correct?
That is a Nov 1942 Refit photo, but it looks like that platform remained the same (they have a March 1942 photo, but it does not show the area as well).
The Platform in question has what looks to be a kind of "upside down triangular" shape below it, that is flush with the forward bulwark of that platform.
Also, the sides of the bulwarks on that level..... They curve back into the P/S Bulwarks, rather than being a perfectly flat angle back to the P/S Bulwarks, do they not?
Now, moving up one level....
The platforms with the wind diverters on them.... They look to be about 10" - 12' or so below the level of the top of the Conning Tower. Is that right (as if there is a slight drop, or something)?
Also.... Does this deck and the Conning Tower look like they are the same height?
The Conning Tower doesn't look like it is shorter than the deck above it, does it? (I don't think it does, but the part says it is, and if they are the same height, then I need to add some height to the Conning Tower deck).
And as for the top platform, where the 1'1" mounts were....
How the freaking heck did the directors attach to the 1.1" Tubs? Or did they even? Are they mounted on a pillar on the deck behind the 1.1" tubs? What the heck does the deck back there look like?
Were there directors put in those director tubs? If so, what kind, please? (Mk. 51s available yet?)
How does the mast attach to the back of the bridge (if at all)?
Does the mast go all the way down to the base of the superstructure, or only to the 02 Bridge deck?
I think that is enough for the moment, as I do not want to overwhelm myself or others overly much when I begin to get answers.
Thank you for your patience....
MB