A 1:700 scale 1944 Mare Island Navy Yard

[MartinJQuinn]

Any chance of getting an "aerial" view of the Navy Yard?

[bgire]

Any chance of getting an "aerial" view of the Navy Yard?

We're looking for a pilot for our photo etched plane...
(just kidding)

... picture is coming (the paint hasn't dried yet)

[Cadman]

We're looking for a pilot for our photo etched plane...
(just kidding)

Somehow I doubt that he is kidding.

[bgire]

Any chance of getting an "aerial" view of the Navy Yard?

Somehow I doubt that he is kidding.

OK OK : we found a pilot who took the following aerial views (work in progress : many items still missing)





.. not forgetting some rail road stuff :



Nice, isn't it ?
Bruno

[TWoyma]

Nice, isn't it ?

Ummm....yes!

[johndon]

Superb, how big is the diorama?

John

[MartinJQuinn]

OK OK : we found a pilot who took the following aerial views (work in progress : many items still missing)

Wow, that is impressive. Many thanks to your pilot!

[Avery Boyer]

Simply fantastic work.....makes me want to do it myself

[bgire]

Superb, how big is the diorama?John

Quite large : 85cm x 53cm (34 x 21")
That's why I (Bruno) shall build mine in sub sections as I lack space.

More pictures taken after dawn...

[nick]

Amazing!!
Are you gonna add PE to the models?

[bgire]

Amazing!!
Are you gonna add PE to the models?

Of course... 100% custom made PE as for the Yard

[Harry Dente]

First off, amazing work!!! I want one, if you commercially produce it!
But some news about the trains; 1st off the Southern Pacific was responsible for the engines and rail cars in the yard, till 1956 when the Navy took over. SP never had any tank engines (well, they had a couple of 2-6-2Ts in commuter service somewhere till the mid 20s). They used 0-6-0 switchers. The safe bet is its an S-8 as they had over 70 of them. Check espee.railfan.net for info on these. The beautiful (Baldwin?) road switcher is out. SP didn't take delivery of any until 1948, and they were among the 1st to get any. Ditto the magnificent GE 44T center cab. SP had a few, but one was leased to the PFE yard, the others were operated by Pacific electric and Visalia Electric. The diesel switchers most likely to have been used were VO-1000s-tho most stayed in the LA district and surrounding area, and the SW-1 and NW-2, and perhaps the H-660 and Alco S-1. All of those were purchased from 41 on. Now, if you are talking Korean war era, the big Baldwins are in, and the centercab is too cute to leave out. Actually, because of the strange way they MUed, and some performance issues, SP relagated most of their 6 axle Baldwins to yard and transfer duty after a while, so that would work fine.

[Harry Dente]

An addenda: for transfer work, it wouldn't be out of place to include a larger locomotive nearby. SPs most common at the time would be a 2-8-0 Consolidation, like their C-8 and C-9. very similar, extremely common, and the M-6 2-6-0 Mogul, just as common. Understand, too that steam locos on different railroads, even with the same wheel arraingement are usually very different looking. Many photos of the above engines on Richard's site that I listed in my 1st post . I can provide dimensioned drawings if interested. Same for locos in 1st post!

[destroyerman]

bgire, before I mention what is bugging me, let me say how absolutely gobsmacked I am at your undertaking. The diorama is just brilliant and very well done to you and your team. To be able to work so effectively in such a small scale impresses me to the point of hero-worship.
However, one little detail confuses me, having spent 25 years on Her Majesty's War Canoes, and it is this. How, (as revealed by the fantastic images produced by your superbly trained miniscule pilot), did you manage to manoeuvre that dirty great aircraft carrier inside the dredger's pipeline to get it alongside? (Don't try and tell me that you physically lifted it there!).
Anyway, very,very well done.

[bgire]

Thanks Harry : this is great stuff for us.
I'll translate the info for Jean, who will for sure design the new stuff in PE at once!
We would be grateful for any plans with dimensions you could send to us (use PM on this forum)
If I understand well, our set would include :
-0-6-0 switchers of S8 type
-VO-1000 diesel swtichers
-SW-1
-NW-2
H-660
Alco S-1
2-8-0 Consolidation C-8 or C-9
M-6 2-6-0 Mogul

Many thanks
Bruno

[bgire]

How did you manage to manoeuvre that dirty great aircraft carrier inside the dredger's pipeline to get it alongside?

Yes... we lifted her...

More seriously : many NavSource photos show the dredge was moved AFTER the ships had moored, thus placing them inside the pipeline. Just as an example, look at USS Pensacola (CA-24) on May 20th 1944.

[destroyerman]

bgire,
Thanks for that! We live and learn..........................................

[Harry Dente]

I have scale drawings of most of the diesels, and SPs class drawings of the steam engines, plus photos. I think regular mail might be better, but I'll e mail some tonight from home. Will also do some research about what specific engines were used in the Oakland subdivision.

[Cadman]

Harry, thanks for the info re: Espee steam. I had always assumed that the Navy used their own switchers.

[Elvis965]

I just realized the subject line of this thread says 1/700!

As Frank Barone would say: "Holy Crap!"

This is amazing! Stupendous work!

Bob