Calling all Essex-class (WWII configuration) fans

[Martin (not logged in)]

Anyone seen this book on the Lexington?

[Reid]

GREAT TRACY!!!!!!! has all the stats thanks abunch man

[Tracy White]

Martin: Not yet; I'll wait for more details.

Lisec: Dick sent me a copy of that one photo and my belief is that Hancock did paint into Ms 12 1945 in May/June. Whether or not it was Navy Blue or gray is open to debate at this point. My *guess* is that since June would have been three months after the issuing of the neutrals order, she Pearl would have been out of Navy blue and she was in Navy Gray. But that's just a guess.

[lisec]

Thanks Tracy, than it`s settled

[Capt652]

Thanks Steve and Tracy for the references on the bow FD bracing...

And thoughts to the the horizontal plating which appears in that CV-31 picture? It looks to me to be positioned at the point the bracing flares dramatically to the full width of the FD.

Thanks!

[Capt652]

Please, another question... is Steve Larsen there?

On the details of #1 and #3 elevators, what is the vertical measurement for the bracing just under the flight deck surrounding the elevator opening? The pictures show the thickness of the flight deck - dark color - and then the structure below which is set back from the edge of the opening and painted white?

Thanks

[lisec]

Another one...how were the planes refueled? Did they use a hose from a fixed location or did they do it by a mobile cistern of a sort?

And, when the planes were on deck,they were positioned heavier planes to the aft lighter on the front? I know that is the take-off procedure, but this Q is more related to "storage" on deck

[ArizonaBB39]

And, when the planes were on deck,they were positioned heavier planes to the aft lighter on the front? I know that is the take-off procedure, but this Q is more related to "storage" on deck

Actually, IIRC, I believe it was fighters first then the bombers/torpedo bombers next for take off procedure so that the fighters could provide cover for the bombers and such. I may be mistaken though. (although I think that still makes it lighter to heavier like you said)

[Tracy White]

There were fixed positions for refueling on the bow and stern... planes could be fueled as soon as they landed when they were spotted up front and then those that weren't would be fueled from aft positions when they were pushed back to be spotted for the next strike. The piping you see on the sides of the hull on the port side was for these refueling stations; it was outside so that if damage was taken in this area the ruptured fuel lines would be on the OUTSIDE of the hull.

As far as spotting before strikes, there was often a CAP section that was launched first, then strike aircraft, then another run of fighters that would participate in the strike. In a lot of cases it wasn't weight as much as speed that determined the order; if you launched the slowest aircraft first the faster aircraft would expend less fuel waiting around.

Spotting could also happen differently depending on whether or not they were using the cats or not, etc.

[lisec]

For `45, paint scheme on Corsairs is a #midnight# blue,correct? On dragons instructions,the planes require intermediate blue all-round.Correct?

[Tracy White]

Midnight blue is far too dark; the actual Navy color called out for was Glossy Sea Blue. Corsairs and 99% of the Hellcats would have been all GSB, but the Avengers and Helldivers can be a mixture. Generally speaking, the aircraft were only repainted in overhaul, so older airframes would have stayed tricolor even when glossy sea blue fighters were starting to join them.

[kidcurrie42]

Dragon CV-31 and Trumpy CV-19 Questions

A couple of questions on these two models,

First one is i have both models side by side and both are more or less the same length(CV-31 is actually a couple of mm longer), also CV-31 flightdeck is longer, CV-31 is a Short hulled Essex and CV-19 a Long Hulled, which is right/wrong if any ?

Secondly CV-31 box art shows a starboard forward 5" sponson as does a very similar photograph i have seen, yet this does not seem to be present in the kit ?

Regards

John

[Tracy White]

I presume you mean the 1/700th scale versions.

I can't find a picture of the box art large enough to see, but BHR didn't have a starboard gallery until later in her career, after her SCB-125 modifications.

Regarding the Flight Deck/hull length question. Both long and short hulls were the same length at the waterline. The long hulls had a larger overhang forward and aft to allow for more quad 40mm guns; the aft one was easy enough to tack on after the fact and most of the short hulls had the same "double butt" extension added on during World War II. The forward one was a significant change in hull shape so you didn't see this modification retrofitted.

Initially, along with extending the bow and stern out, the Navy cut back the flight deck on the long hulls to give the quad 40s a better firing arc. The air groups strongly objected and later long hulls such as Ticonderoga had their flight deck lengths restored, but Hancock made it out to the Pacific before and the need was great enough for carriers that she never had it lengthened during her overhaul. So yes, in this case the flight deck should be shorter.

[kidcurrie42]

Many thanks Tracy for the reply, i see now that i was seeing things that were not there, shadows and something projecting up/down gave an impression of a sponson(well to me it did)



Regards

John

[ModelMonkey]

Please, another question... is Steve Larsen there?

On the details of #1 and #3 elevators, what is the vertical measurement for the bracing just under the flight deck surrounding the elevator opening? The pictures show the thickness of the flight deck - dark color - and then the structure below which is set back from the edge of the opening and painted white?

Thanks

Hi Timm!

Sorry to take so long in responding.

Enlarging measurements from AOTS drawing 17/2 to 1/350 scale indicates the height of these members should be about 0.24" (6.0mm).

These bulkheads (actually transverse and longitudinal trusses) may have been painted blue or gray on some ships rather than white so check photos of the ship you are modeling.

Hope this helps!

[lisec]

could someone post a picture where is,fairly,seen the radar layout and some details for Hancock in her April fit? it doesn`t need to be from Hannah,just so i could understand the layout a little better since I`m beginning to know the Essex ships...

I have a set from GMM, USN carriers,so it would be helfull to know what I can, and should, use

[Capt652]

A question about the Trumpy gallery deck pieces...

The underside of the flight deck overhang on the port side, Trumpeter parts D2, D5, D6, D7, D9, (Tico 1:350); are these parts suppose to replicate any actual parts on the real ships? Are model builders using these parts or scratch-building something else? Anyone?
Thanks

[Hanchang Kuo]

Hi Capt652,

Similar pieces are there on thier 1/700 kits too. What's under the overhang is much more complicated than simple pieces of plastic. There're many platforms, walkways and compartments hanging there. I ditched those parts and scratch built everything using AOTS Interpid 's gallery deck diagram as reference.

[Tracy White]

I've got a picture of Hancock at home that I think will illustrate this point... I'll try and post it tonight if I get time.

[Michael Davies]

First post and first off a great thread which l've read several times over.

l'm in the process of building a virtual Essex, well several really and l have a few questions if anyone can help, l've been collecting Essex books and data for years but some areas ellude me.

First is the gallery decks, how far below the flight deck are they please ?, looking at images it looks to be 5 feet, with drop down sections where the access doors are to the innards ( excuse my poor terminology).

Second is the Port gallery bow Quad mount, some images and some models I see have this level with the gallery decking, some level with the 5" deck, some drawings (Anatomy of the ship INTREPID & Naval Institue press :- Essex class carriers ) show it to be between the two.

I have about a million other questions but those two will suffice for now, heres a link to show my current set up for the Port gallery Quad mount.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mickoo/Ima ... Max_13.jpg

I know this should really be in the virtual section but l dont think it'll get the interest and hopefully if the virtual model is detailed and accurate enough then it'll help the hands on modellers, l can post more if people are interested.

I only wish l'd found this thread months ago, most of the model has been rebuilt since reading everything here and following peoples advice and great links.

The vessel is a war time Measure 10A CV38 Shangri La and with a little conversion will change into the USS Boxer for Korea fit.

I hope to model the unique SCB27C carriers with there extra starboard deck edge elevator and no angled deck ( CV11,14,19), pre SCB125 which made there decks different again to the rest post SCB125, also a SCB27A in Korea ( probably CV39 for its jet aircraft compliment and finally a Vietnam SCB125 version ( as yet undecided ).

I have a Microsoft XL spread sheet that details....as far as my records go, camo dates, weapons fits, rebuilds and years of combat duty and in some cases airwing tail codes if any one is interested, its not dedicated to WWII but there full history, theres a lot of blanks also.

Thanks for any replies or information, it is much appreciated.

Kindest

Michael