Seasick wrote:
I noticed on the pictures with the extra platform that the Virginia has an AN/SPS-40 2D air search radar on the mast, meaning its pre-NTU. Did the later picture get taken after the NTU fit?
Good catch! The mystery platform was on Virginia with SPS-40, as you point out, and with CIWS installed. The other photo is of Mississippi with SPS-49 installed (visible on my larger version of the photo). I also have photos of Virginia with SPS-40, no platform, and both with and without CIWS.
So, it seems that the platform existed during the post-CIWS installation but pre-SPS-49. Of course, the other possibility is that the platform was unique to Virginia and did not appear on other class members. Virginia is the only class member that I have photos for that show the platform, however, I have insufficient photos of the other members to draw a definite conclusion. And, unfortunately, I don't have enough photos of Virginia, herself, to "track" the timeline of the platform. I guess it will remain a bit of a mystery unless someone can come up with additional photos.
Thanks for helping, Seasick!
As an aside, I've always thought these were good looking ships and I wish someone would make a 1/350 (or bigger) version. I'm too much of a detail "adder" to be able to work happily with 1/700 kits, no matter how good they are. Oh well, another ship to add to my scratch build list.
Regards,
Bob