Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[Iceman 29]

Discussion: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=384482

[bigjimslade]

A summary of things I have seen wrong with kits:

1. Bow knife edge way too wide.
2. Lack of a docking keel
3. The tunnel does not widen forward
4. The twin keels are incorrectly depicted as skegs rather than being integral part of the hull
5. Missing the two knuckles aft in the hull form
6. Missing the half siding under the stern
7. Shaft bossing on twin keels too long or (usually) too short
8. Hull form incorrect so the outer props enter the hull in the wrong place.
9. Hull plating wrong (and over scale)

[MartinJQuinn]

Drydock tour photos posted on the MW FB page. Here's a few of the photos:

If you can get to the Philadelphia Naval Yard, the tour is well worth it!

[BB62vet]

Martin,

Thanks for sharing!! Great Photos! I'm glad you included a shot of the ever elusive Docking Keel - that obscure item that befuddles most modelers.

For comparison, here's a couple photos of BB-62 in drydock in 1981 (Long Beach) - my friend Richard Landgraff (now deceased) is standing on the stbd. shaft. These also show the corrosion coupons installed on the ship at the time.

[FFG-7]

why are the prop shafts a different color then the hull as would have thought both would have been the same color?

[bigjimslade]

why are the prop shafts a different color then the hull as would have thought both would have been the same color?

I suspect the shafts were removed. Documentation shows the bearings in the struts were wood from post WWII to the 80's. Then they were replaced with a phenolic. That would have required removing the end section of the shaft.

The fairwaters on the shaft joints are not in place. They may be in storage on the ship.

Brand new camera:

[BB62vet]

Here are the latest photos of NEW JERSEY's hull with the first new coatings being applied -

BB-62 stern with new bottom hull coating

BB-62 Stern with rudders after hull coating applied

Close up of port rudder with new hull coating applied

I'm sure that Ryan Syzmanski (curator) can better explain what this coating is and why it was chosen. Unless, of course, they got a deal on surplus M1 Abrams Tank Desert Tan from the U.S. Army paint depot.....

My thanks to the USS NEW JERSEY Museum for giving me the "okey dokey" to post the photos

Hank

[bigjimslade]

Here are the latest photos of NEW JERSEY's hull with the first new coatings being applied -
I'm sure that Ryan Syzmanski (curator) can better explain what this coating is and why it was chosen. Unless, of course, they got a deal on surplus M1 Abrams Tank Desert Tan from the U.S. Army paint depot.....

It's a primer coat. Each layer is a different color so that the painters can see where they missed. The last coat is anti-fouling red.

Oddly, there was no anti-fouling paint perviously. They had just taken the boot stripe all the way down so the bottom was black.

You should get up there and see it!

[Admhawk]

Prop shafts are covered with a four layer system that includes fiberglass as the final layer.
These coatings are best applied on a lathe in a machine shop, facilitated by the removal of the shafts.
They are designed to last 15 years, so may not be applied at every drydocking.

Anti Fouling and Anti Corrosion coatings are multiple layers as well and consist of grey, black and red coats.

The first coat you see above is very close to a light ghost grey. I've seen it in person. The photos are not showing the true color.

Everything you ever wanted to know about USN ship preservation is available in the following, (try everyspec.com)

NAVAL SHIPS� TECHNICAL MANUAL, CHAPTER 631, PRESERVATION OF SHIPS IN SERVICE - GENERAL

MIL-STD-2199 COVERINGS FOR WATERBORNE MAIN PROPULSION SHAFTING ON U.S. NAVAL SURFACE SHIPS AND SUBMARINES

[FFG-7]

what are those small fin like things pointing down from the hull just forward & back of the rudders?

[BB62vet]

You should get up there and see it!

BJS - I wish I could, but right now time, distance, and $$ are at a premium! Thanks, Brandon!!!

The small items are tie off points put there when the ship was built - here's a shot of MISSOURI under construction showing those same steel tie-offs -

See the small holes in the top of the rudders??? Those are used by Snipes at low tide for attaching tow ropes for water skiing - GM's would ride shotgun in the whaleboat behind and keep an eye out for sneaky snakes!

Hank

[Dan K]

I found the visit well worth it. Certainly unique. The ship is in surprisingly good shape, and the work is proceeding quickly. If I understood our guide ( a very knowledgeable member of the museum staff) correctly, the boot line is being lowered 5 feet to reflect her current, lighter displacement.

It's not easy balancing a 45,000 ton on one's forefinger. Took some practice.

[BB62vet]

Dan,

Nice progress photos!!! I'd imagine your thumb is rather sore about now....

Hank

[Dan K]

Just the joints

Starboard side has yet to get any undercoats.

[bigjimslade]

In doing research for the next book, a few weeks ago there were no pictures of the Iowa-class docking keel. None. Zero Zip. Nada.

Now, suddenly they are all over the Internet.

[drdoom1337]

I took the drydock tour in early April as work had just begun. On last nights weekly update, Ryan stated that the prop shafts will be boxed in with a welded structure. Has this been done before on a mothballed or museum ship? Are there any drawbacks to this process.

[BB62vet]

In doing research for the next book, a few weeks ago there were no pictures of the Iowa-class docking keel. None. Zero Zip. Nada.
Now, suddenly they are all over the Internet.

BJS - Ryan kindly emailed me a copy of the docking keel and in his email mentioned that you had provided that to him as well as other documentation for the drydock project. As to your comment regarding what suddenly appears online - who knows how this happens...or why! So, consider your visits to the ship and the assistance you've provided in getting the drawings, etc. organized as a true benefit to the preservation of the ship!

As for boxing in the shafts, I've not heard of that being done prior but perhaps there is a long term reason (such as preventing any sort of seepage into the shaft alleys) for doing this. Has there been an issue up to this point, and if so, is this a possible solution to the problem. I guess from a purist's standpoint it may not suit, but then who's going to see it? And what, another 20 years 'til the next drydock period?

Hank

[Fliger747]

My Missouri isn't perfect but I did get the kegs, props and docking keel pretty right. I expect that Hank got his even better. I did like my 3D printed props, even better than the brass ones I had previously. One can get them pretty thin!

As to the prop shafts, I expected just sitting there that they would last longer than 15 years?

[bigjimslade]

USS New Jersey is painted and looks ready to rejoin the fleet. She is in remarkable condition.

[FFG-7]

what is with the lines in black & red part of the hull as appears to be seam lines?