1/350 USS Shangri La CV-38 (1945) - Trumpeter

[Capt652]

CV-38 construction update.

Continuing work on the gallery deck bulkheads. Again using the plans from Raven's Essex-class carriers, Roberts' AOTS, and some screen captures from the video of the launching sequence of Shang from Traditions Military Video I put together the forward starboard side details. As anyone that has built the Trumpy 1:350 model knows, the flight deck edge is simply a flat side. No detail, the wrong drop dimension, missing cut out for the davit crane, missing bulkhead openings.... I liked Steve's idea to use Evergreen .01"x.08" strips times 3 (Thanks Steve)to lay out the details and I used Mr. Loren Perry's suggestion to cut off the plastic kit catwalk and use .02"x.03" strips for a ledge for perforated catwalk. I scratch-built the 40mm gun director tub and will have to play around with the PE to make it all fit.

Capt652

[Capt652]

A thought on the Trumpy 1:350 kit...

While working on the port side gallery deck I'm wondering how I should proceed with the flight deck overhang. Since any pictures of real ships showing this area are rare, and most pictures of completed models are from the top looking down so that the underside isn't visible one has to wonder what to do (At least I do!). So I took the AOTS book drawing A17/1 and /2, scanned them into my laptop, converted to a mirror image and then printed them. I put the image next to the upside down flight deck (w/ parts in place that represent the overhang) and studied the similarities and differences. Before I did this I wondered how close the plastic parts were to actual. I was surprised to see that the Trumpy parts are very close to the AOTS drawings. The platforms and walkways layout are close minus any fine details. On the other hand, I think that the overall depth/thickness is too shallow and could probably be better if the parts were shimmed between the flight deck and overhang pieces to add more 'drop'. Maybe even adding some additional layers in some places would be appropriate, such as forward and inboard of the whale boat slung aft of #2 elevator as one example.

Maybe I thinking too much about this!?

Capt652

P.S. 12 inches of snow last night.

[Tracy White]

P.S. 12 inches of snow last night.

No wonder you're making such progress!

[Capt652]

P.S. 12 inches of snow last night.

No wonder you're making such progress!

Snow means four driveways to clear, (one is mine)... LESS time for 'Shang'

Capt652

[ModelMonkey]

A thought on the Trumpy 1:350 kit...

While working on the port side gallery deck I'm wondering how I should proceed with the flight deck overhang. Since any pictures of real ships showing this area are rare, and most pictures of completed models are from the top looking down so that the underside isn't visible one has to wonder what to do (At least I do!). So I took the AOTS book drawing A17/1 and /2, scanned them into my laptop, converted to a mirror image and then printed them. I put the image next to the upside down flight deck (w/ parts in place that represent the overhang) and studied the similarities and differences. Before I did this I wondered how close the plastic parts were to actual. I was surprised to see that the Trumpy parts are very close to the AOTS drawings. The platforms and walkways layout are close minus any fine details. On the other hand, I think that the overall depth/thickness is too shallow and could probably be better if the parts were shimmed between the flight deck and overhang pieces to add more 'drop'. Maybe even adding some additional layers in some places would be appropriate, such as forward and inboard of the whale boat slung aft of #2 elevator as one example.

I've been working this area for a few weeks now and it's a real tough area to model. I'll have some photos of my interpretation up shortly after some cleanup and repairs needed after gutting the bottom of the kit's flight deck parts and damaging the PE rails and catwalks while doing the grinding and cutting.

For those interested in detailing the area beneath the port side flight deck overhang you will be a happier modeler if you do that before adding any PE. I didn't and really wish I had left the PE catwalks off until later.

The good news is that Tracy White was able to find a photo of that area on one of the the real ships showing enough of the underside to confirm that the AOTS drawings are accurate. The photo also confirms the AOTS drawings (A6/1 and A6/2) indicating there were catwalks under the port side overhang on the real ship. They are short sections that lie between a few, not all, of the girders. I think that the additional PE catwalks provided in the wonderful GMM set may be used here. If you are building a short hull Essex, use the extra catwalk parts intended for a long hull kit. If you are building a long hull then use the short hull parts.

[Capt652]

Here is my work on the forward port area. I used the AOTS drawings but also used pictures of actual ships to guide my work. I used this picture of the Hancock sliding down the ways as a good visual reference to a log hull ship.

And here is my rendition of the same area...

Capt652

[gtb -red]

From me to all of you E-class ship builders. BRAVO ZULU!!!

[Capt652]

Hi all!

Been working on the flight deck overhang forward of the #2 elevator. I found that Shangri-la's 20mm galleries were spaced a little differently then some other essex-class ships. Using the ATOS Intrepid plans alone created a problem and a bit of speculation as to spaces in relation to the 20mm gallery in this area. I am reasoning that spaces, especially the ammo ready room was shuffled around to accommodate a position farther aft. A picture of CV-19 was my guide for the exterior appearance in this area;

And a picture of the same area of my Shang;

And one more wider view;

And I want to compliment Steve's work on CV-10 hanger deck/gallery deck areas! Great Work! You HAVE to figure out a way to display all that work when complete. (Removable FD? Raised FD?)

FlyingLow is doing a great job!! At first I thought it had to be a 1:350 scale. Bet you love that pin vise!

Capt652

[Elvis965]

Very nice work, Capt!

Bob

[ModelMonkey]

Timm,

She's looking great!

[Capt652]

CV-38 Update

After spring break hiatus time to get back to work!

I'm still making my way through the port side flight deck overhang. Very few pictures to go on. And ATOS plans don't show the visible details. I didn't want to simply guess on what to scratch build. I'm good with how this section came out. There are Spaces (ammo ready rooms, etc...), platforms, walkways, and voids. I tried to replicate corrugated walkways with parallel .010"x.020" evergreen strips. Platforms look like typical construction with bracing. Voids were easy!!! I still may tweak a little more.

Capt652

[ModelMonkey]

Superb! The exterior vent detail really stands out too. That'll be one conspicuous difference between yours and the Yorktown I'm building.

[raser13]

this is just a nooby question. but, what is the copper or brass piping that you guys use on the out side of the hull? i'm guessing it's for the "gutters"? like in the pics two posts back, the pipe thats under(or above in the pic since it's upside down) the bay doors. sorry if i'm getting what the items actually are i have never been nautical i'm building this up as a present and learning the hole way.

[Capt652]

Sorry raser13 for such a long wait for this answer...

To tell the truth I really don't know what the term 'gutter' means but the parts I added to my build is just plain old wire from the hardware store. I used .020" copper wire for the external fuel lines on the port side. I don't know what gauge .020" would be- I had thrown away the package so I checked it with a micrometer. On the starboard side I used some heavy 18 gauge copper wire near where the starboard hanger deck catapult would have been on earlier ships. I'm not exactly sure what that pipe represents but my guess is a large diameter hose for replenishment of fuel oil? I do know the Shangri-la wasn't the only ship that that large tube can be seen. I have also used some fine diameter steel wire on the island to represent electrical wiring.

On a different note;
I ordered a reprint of the photo of Shangri-la coming along side the USS Attu from the Naval Historical Center Photographic Center. The photo has pretty good resolution and therefore I found more details that I missed before having a clear picture. So now I am re-doing some details on the starboard bow area. Catwalks were eliminated (after I already spent a great deal of time making catwalks to match a '44 picture), and other small details can be seen that I want to show. I have to try to build some whip antenna mounting bases. The bases appear to project out just below the flight deck catwalks both very near the #2 lattice antenna and also along the flight deck aft replacing those lattice antennas. Pictures of the Randolph kamikaze damage and some photos of the Boxer show similar mounts and those will be my guide.

[Capt652]

Hi all!

Been working on the fantail after receiving some great photos of Shangri-la that I hadn't seen before. I'm still not happy with the layout of the Trumpeter model but I'm not going to scratch build this whole area to make a correction. The first platform above the main deck is too far above the main deck on the model and that upper bulkhead should drop more below the flight deck! Anyway I did a refit on details I had already completed to add bracing and structure that is unique to Shangri-la. Here is a picture I recently acquired;

And here is my work;

I spent a few days reshaping the rear sponson. The Trumpy piece didn't have the required drop below the railing (where the ship's name is displayed). The outriggers which show up on both sides of the sponson are something unique to Shangri-la - at least I haven't noticed them on any other carrier.

Capt652

[Essex]

Capt, it's a very nice work!

We find more and more inaccuracies on Trumpy's Essex. It seems to me that the vertical support at the first platform's edge is too close to the girder.

but does anyone know if the hawsereels and the manilila rope reel are on the starboard side of the ship as well. or are they only on the port side like shown in the diagram? i have already installed the ones on the port side. these is the only sticking points left on this area of the ship,minus railings and ladders.(waiting patiently for those to arive in the mail)

That interests me too, I was waiting for Tracy's answer, but maybe it's a top secret? Or you got an answer in a mail? There are some drawings in the Raven's book, but all are different.

On the page 47 (Essex, top view and side view) can be seen six manilla rope reels and two hawser reels. The manilla rope reels are both side at the rear of the front wall and behind both girders, the hawse reels both side behind the first girder at a 45 degree angle.

On the page 57 (Randolph, side view only) it seems to be the same configuration as on the AOTS drawing D2, i.e. two manilla rope reels and four hawser reels, maybe both port and starboard side.

On the page 65 (Lexington, top view only) there are only four manilla rope reels, starboard side at the rear of the front wall, port side behind the first grider and both side behind the second girder. The two hawser reels are on the same position as at the Essex's drawing.

...and what is with the Yorktown after her 1944 refit?

[Capt652]

Hi all,

I've been working on a few details on the hanger deck. I noticed a small folding platform off the edge of the deck directly under where the boom of the davit crane would swing fore and aft. I quick look at Navsource found that a lot, but not all essex class carriers had them. CV-11,12,13,14,15,19,20 and 38 had either one or both. They are shown both flat and folded upright. I am wondering and looking for some help as to whether there were railing around them. If these platforms did have some type of railing then of course they would have to be removeable or would have to stow in such a way to allow the platform to fold. Has any one seen these up close and could answer this question?

That large diameter round stock attached to the side of the hull under the forward davit crane area is also a mystery for me. I came across a picture in the Shangri-la cruise book showing planes being loading on board by that davit crane. The forward end of that large tubing is visible and one can see three smaller pipes or conduit exiting out and turning into the hull. So is this large diameter 'thing' a conduit to protect wiring or piping?

Here are two pics of my work

Capt652

[Tracy White]

I don't have any really good shots of those platforms when up; when down for replenishment there's obviously no railings around. I would imagine there would be railings even when those were folded up, it's probably easier than having separate runs that you have to tie down at the ends, where they platform folded up.

In regards to the piping, those are fuel lines. You see them on the port side as well; it was safer to run them outside the hull where any knicks or cuts would vent or discharge over the side rather than into the ship. Those particular ones probably ran to refueling stations on the hangar deck and forward starboard flight deck. I've got some textual descriptions of the hangar deck locations but no photos yet so I'm not sure how they were piped through.

[raser13]

hey capt. i dont know if this pic will help at all it's of the cvs 21. it looks to have your dec in the down position with chain railings around it. i dont have anyting in the up position. sorry.

http://www.myrtsweb.com/upload/raser13/ ... 2adeck.jpg

did a link so the pic could be bigger.

[Capt652]

Tracy and raser13 thanks for the help!

In regards to that railing I would imagine that the PE railing that looks like chain strung would be closest to represent that area. I am using Gold Metal Models Essex PE and I should probably switch to that type in that area. That picture of CV-21 is perfect to see detail, Thanks again raser13!

For the sake of conversation, Tracy don't you think that the fuel line layout is rather weird? Why would the conduit for these lines be routed so indirectly to move from aft to forward? The picture I referred to clearly shows three lines exiting the larger conduit at the front and turning in to the hull. Two of those lines look to be approx. 8"-10" diameter and the other is a lot smaller, maybe electrical in nature.

I wish I could post this particular pic but it is from a cruise book I bought with a VERY bold warning not to re-distribute any material. Anyway I can understand the reasoning in keeping the fuel outside the ship as much as possible. In this particular area the threat of damage to the lines from crane operations is probably pretty likely. But why the drop between points? Shangri-la isn't the only carrier with that configuration for these fuel lines.

Just wondering...

Capt652