Calling all "Big 5" Tennessee-class & Colorado-class fans

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks Jeff. I guess it was the incinerator then. From the port side it looked like the pipe went much farther forward.

[MartinJQuinn]

Found some additional photos, cropped them to show the forward funnel piping arrangement on BB-48. First one is from 1937, the second from 1939. Photos are from NARA II, via Roger Torgeson.

BB48 West Virginia 6Apr1937 80-G-466160_crop.jpg (45.52 KiB) Viewed 7246 times

BB48 West Virginia 9Feb1939 80-G-466161-crop.jpg (71.32 KiB) Viewed 7246 times

[MartinJQuinn]

Comparing the picture that Jeff posted (left) to the 1937 shot I posted (right), it does seem like that pipe from the incinerator to the funnel was modified at some point.

[MartinJQuinn]

36" searchlight?

[FFG-7]

is at least a 36" when doing a size comparison with the 2 men to the left of it.

[Dan K]

I have to disagree. It's a 24" signal light. Compare it to the other 24" on the deck below vs. the 36" lights aft.

[FFG-7]

Dan, look at the size of the light compared to the 2 guys to the left of the light.

[BB62vet]

In comparison between the photo presented and official 24" searchlight photos - details point to it being a 24" searchlight, not a 36". And also as mentioned, the size!

[FFG-7]

it appears I stand corrected because of this tho 1939 Wee Vee version.

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks all! Appreciate the assist!

[MartinJQuinn]

Are the yards on the forward spotting tops the same across the Big 5? I don't think the PE "lattice" included with the BWN California is correct. Before I get down a rabbit hole of using one of the other ships as template, I want to see if they are at least "similar", or similar enough to use for inspiration.

[Dan K]

IMHO, i do think they are the same. I find it easier to see from astern when possible. I compared WeeVee's to TN's and then to CA as best I could because I found only one good pic of hers from astern.

[MartinJQuinn]

Found a reasonably priced 1/350 Tennessee from ISW on eBay last night and pulled the trigger. How different are the forward superstructures are California and Tennessee at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack?

[Dick J]

The two had very significant differences. California was a fleet flagship. As such, the flag bridge was enlarged similar to the one on Pennsylvania. This, in turn, impacted things like where the 3" gun tubs were added. The wings on the pilot house were also differently shaped. California had her CXAM radar mounted on the roof of the pilot house. You will need more than a little scratch building to convert one into the other.

[Dan K]

In looking at photos (and models), is it that California's signal bridge deck is 1/2 deck lower than the other Big Five sisters, thereby allowing for an extra deck to accommodate her flag facilities?

[MartinJQuinn]

Few more California related questions, this time about the forward fighting top. Questions embedded in the photo:

I am also trying to discern if there is a davit on the forward .50cal gun tub. I'm thinking no, but would appreciate other's opinions.

[BB62vet]

Martin,

To your second question - Yes! that's a davit, more than likely to hoist ammo (or mid rats!!! LOL!!) FYI - I've noticed that feature on quite a few of the post Civil War later Monitors as well as pre-dreadnaught type warships.

I can't answer the other questions - beyond my pay grade!

Hank

[tjwerdel]

Hello Fellas,

I'm building the stern cage mast for the USS California as it was on Dec 7th. I have a question regarding the paint colors for the mast. The lower section is obviously dark and upper section very light. I'm thinking the lower section is 5-N, Navy Blue and the Upper Section is 5-P, Pale Gray. Can anyone confirm those or point me in the right direction?

The attachment is the primed mast in gray. Search light platform and Lookout tower and gun platform yet to be completed

Many Thanks,

[Dan K]

California is still in MS1 on 12/7/41. So, Dark Gray 5-D on the lower portion of the mast and Light Gray 5-L on the upper spotting tops.

Nice work on that mast. What scale?

[tjwerdel]

Hello Dan, thanks. Scale is 1/48. It was a bugger figuring how to build. Has taken me 9 months for just that.