Always a fun project to play with.
Good references to Rusty's version:
http://steelnavy.com/TinianRWhite.htmhttp://www.ipmsusa.org/reviews/features ... ersion.htm1 and 2:
If done in the 90's, I see changes to match the designs of the time. I see the elimination of ABLs in favor of VLS and an alteration of the flightdeck as two of the larger visual changes.
VLS between the stack seems a no-brainer, and examples of this fit are in the Iowa modification thread.
Flight deck: The cut-outs for Sea Sparrow aft I think would go, and a narrow enclosed elevator is limiting. The question becomes, what aircraft would it be intended to operate and what is a contemporary to base the design philosophy on?
To be blunt - What I see aft is possibly a 'graft' of the Wasp class LHD from forward of the LHD's Port elevator, placed starting aft of the Iowa's after stack. Depth of the graft would be to match the hangar deck to the BB deck level, or, if weight allows and height is needed, have 'transition deck' between the BB fantail and the hangar deck level - could be shops or berthing. Essentially, this lifts the LHD hangar area with its flight deck above into the Iowa hull replacing the aft 16" and the fantail.
Positives: Contemporary (active 1990's) design. Includes self defense (Seasparrow and CIWS aft). No really new parts to the USN inventory.
Concerns: size of the elevators and their distance from the surface. Not able to use the direct fore-aft line for reference and rolling VSTOL takeoff (possible to 'cant' that line off centerline for clearance).
So, now I have to go home and measure....but the two classes are similar in size, so eyeballing should provide a pretty close approximation.
3. Would limiting the 16" to fire within the forward 180 degrees while aircraft are on deck be sufficient protection from blast? I don't know the answer to this - maybe someone else does. A "Palisade" which could be erected (similar to a blast deflector on a catapult) on the forward end of the flight deck might be another option.
4. Loos like #2 could be retained in this format. VLS cells can be had many places, 16" guns can only be had aboard these ships - I'd retain two turrets if possible (turret #3 goes ashore - one as a trainer, the other three as rotational backup mounts - similar to the way the British used a 'pool' of 15" twins on their BBs)
Edit to add rough, hacked together pic to illustrate concept: