The Ship Model Forum

Chuck - Thanks, I kinda thought it was. I have a similar photo that Tom took on MISSOURI in the same area - door/hatch there also - probably all four ships have that configuration.

MGunns - Much appreciate the remarks.

Jason - thanks again, and YES I'll check out the hawse pipe holes in the Plan Book this weekend. It's in the car and I'll be leaving soon for home.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

That same w/t door behind the 51-52 mounts is also there on Missouri. The openings you discovered aft are a bit strange as they have sills like a w/t door, and I believe the bulkhead in the center also has a similar silled opening. My guess is this area is structural support for the aft director tower and placement of doors may have been subject to stress causing operation issues. In battle they would be dogged down, not leaving the mount personnel much of an escape in certain situations.

Interesting "discovery".

T

Maybe a WT door was intended for these locations, but not installed when deck space on level 03 behind the aft most 5" mount were given over to the 40mm and 20mm mounts.

I am guessing it is probably advantageous to enable the crew from light AA mounts on one side of the ship to run unhindered to the mounts on the other side where ever this is possible. This would allow crews on the engaged side to be constantly rotated for freshness and backed up in case of casaulties.

_________________
Assessing the impact of new area rug under modeling table.

Yesterday was MODEL DAY - we were out for the ice/snow/sleet event in N.C. so I spent the day mostly cleaning up railings, adding details, painting whip antenna, and preparing the next 03/02 level superstructure body for work. Tonight hopefully the conning tower gets mated to the bridge asembly and then I'll need to find a place to "hide" it to keep from damage.

Bitter cold tonight and tomorrow night - not looking forward to that.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Awesome work so far on your New Jersey. Give's me lot's of ideas for my smaller 1/350 version. Keep up the work, looking forward to more details.

Brett

_________________
Brett Matthews

Brett,

Thanks for the kind remark - always welcome!!

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

As of last night (Wed. 18 Feb 15) here is the superstructure at this point:

The Conning Tower/Mast is now permanently attached to the bridge assembly. 08 Level Conn Station canvas railings will be added (but not the canvas - leaving open). I have not added the side Mk. 37 directors or any of the long whip antennae as I don't trust myself to NOT knock them off simply by being near them

I've started work on the 02 level superstructure - adding vertical hand rungs, A/C vents, details such as that - may take a week or more to get it ready for putting everything above in place.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Clean and sharp! You might check the NJ positioning of the ladders from 02-03 at the aft of the flag bridge, on Missouri I believe they were on the fore aft bulkhead, not the awarthships one. That is of course a different sister and was a WWII setup. I'll check and see if I find any direct ref to NJ.

I still haven't permanently affixed the tower to the 05 and rest to the 03 level yet. Held on with magnets, keep removing to add or change stuff. Eventually they will be semi permanently attached, probably with machine screws. Probably the same with the superstructure to the main deck.

Thanks for the update, looking great!

Tom

Thanks, Tom!!

I'll check the ladders out - I'm still missing a few that will be placed once the 02 Level is ready to be incorporated into the whole assembly.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hello Hank:

Neat update! Looks like you have made some progress. I have a photo of NJ off a calendar. If I can remember, I will snap a picture of it and post it here. Some good bow on shots. Who knows, you might see yourself.

_________________
Mark
Master Gunnery Sergeant USMC (Ret.)
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

On the bench:

1/200 USS Enterprise, CV-6

Hank:

Looking at the large color photo of NJ on the cover of Stillwell's "Battleships" (B&N) book in Vietnam era configuration, the ladder, at least on the port side, ( I presume stb is the same) from 02-03 right behind the flag area is an awarthships inclined ladder just as it is on Missouri today. Must be a for show photo as the main battery is trained out, the guns elevated, but the Mk 38's are fore and aft and there is a boat on dollies right by turret three. Perhaps just an illusion but it appears that Capt Snyder's swimming pool on the 01 level is painted aqua on the inside?

Cheers: Tom

Hank:

You can barely see the ladder to the left of the 51 mount.

Tom

Sorry about the double photo. Ladder is also visible on the often shown NJ photo which is on p 209 Stillwell NJ.

Thanks for the photos - I'll check the ladder out when I get back to the shop Sunday. I placed the vert. ladder/railing per the Plan Book, which might not be correct in this instance.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

MGunns - Thanks! and do post the photos.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hello Hank:

This is off a Navy calendar I got many years ago. It is the reference I used when I did mine in 1/350 about 15 or so years ago. I tried to get some good photo's for reference, bear in mind this is a flat piece of paper so some of the images may be a little distorted.














And the model



I hope you find these images useful.

_________________
Mark
Master Gunnery Sergeant USMC (Ret.)
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

On the bench:

1/200 USS Enterprise, CV-6

MGunns,

Thanks!! those are good shots - I've seen that photo - actually have it in one of my ref. books. Your model looks very good, too. Glad to see another Vietnam Service Era NEW JERSEY!!

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hank

I made you a contoured sand block with handle to try out, OK to send it to the Winston-Salem address or somewhere else. Have to send it Monday as ball blasting off for a bit.

Cheers. Tom

Thanks, Tom -

The W-S address works!

Hope the flying weather is good and you enjoy your lessons!

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hank!

Good progress working your way down the pyramid. Don't forget all the stanchions around the bridge works 03-04 levels. Originally the 40 mm tubs had stanchions that were a continuation of the ones from the 03 level. Currently Mo has none there as there is an enclosed compartment that supports the area above. not sure what the NJ Vietnam config was.

Away from the modeling again, down in Jelly popper country for some more of that.

Cheers. Tom