Calling all Independence-class (CVL-22) fans

[Tracy White]

They were a combination is the best way to put it. The original sections were the same pierced plating that the catwalks had, with the inclusion of tie down cut-outs that extended from where the tie down strips were on the wooden deck. However, they were not visible as separate plates and only had half of the tie downs; essentially every other [ ] cut out. This was on the original two-piece parking platform; when the section between these two was added, it was smooth. No tie-downs, no pierced holes. One last detail; the pierced holes were in patterns that existed only in the areas that did not have supports underneath. I sent Mad Pete some photos showing this, so he should have been able to come up with a fairly decent representation of it, but I haven't seen one live yet to know for sure.

[joedunlap]

As always, thanks for this and all you do Tracy. If your ever in the Portland area, Id like to buy you a beverage of your choice!
Joe

[Tracy White]

Joe; my pleasure. Unfortunately I always seem to be passing through when I hit Portland with not enough time to stop.

[NCMac]

Sorry, missed an earlier post.

Mac

[Jon C Ryckert]

Just what ships of this class can you build from the Dragon 1/350 Indy out of the box? Just wanting to know as I have the kit, but won't start buildin for quite some time.

[Tracy White]

With absolutely no modifications? Just CVL-22 in 1943. If you change the SG platform from the "Saw horse" shape to a single pole with a round platform and use the gun tub between the stacks it looks like you can do Princeton on her shakedown, but we're working on a Princeton kit now that will be applicable for her time of loss.

[joedunlap]

Another question for Tracy. Im using the large PDF of the refit of CVL-26 as a guide for building the Indy in late-war fit. 2/3 of the way in, I just noticed today that they call out TWIN 20 mm mounts at all locations! Was the Indy so fitted after her 44 yard period? Please please say no! Arrrg.!

[Tracy White]

Pretty sure not, but I never found definitive information; we're lucky in a sense they chose the early Independence as my research and reference materials on the late-war fit was significantly thinner.

[joedunlap]

Good enough for me Tracy. I was having nightmarish visions of scratchbuilding/modifying all the mounts. Thanks so much!

Joe

[Timmy C]

One of the great things about being a ship modeler is that since we're in the minority, we get chosen for free sample articles on Finescale Modeler. Thus, here's a free built-up review of the Dragon 350th kit: http://www.finescale.com/Products%20and ... VL-22.aspx

[Tracy White]

I covered this in another thread, but am cross-posting a modified version for posterity so I don't have to do it again:

To model CVL-30 San Jacinto in 1/350th:

First step: If you don't have a kit yet, get the CVL-23 Princeton kit as it will be a better starting point than the CVL-22 Independence kit.

To convert CVL-22 to CVL-30 at the time of her departure from the east coast (the best source of photos I have):
1) Add two 20mm galleries on the forward catwalks of three guns each. The general profile of the galleries can be seen on the docking plan on the Service historique de la Defense - Notice du LAFAYETTE 1943 page. Supports can be seen on Navsource's San Jacinto page
here and here; the supports are directly under the 20mm gun mounts.

2) No 5" guns, naturally. Modify the stern 20mm gallery (Pieces G2 and M1) so that there's no catwalk between the 20mm gun tubs and the Mk 51 director (See this photo). You'll probably need to relocate the center door on G2. (Note: You'll need to do this if you're starting from the CVL-23 Princeton kit as well)

3) Combine pieces to use the 20mm gallery between the stacks (part of Piece E19). Move it outboard and use the cover piece E-24 for the continuous airplane parking platform. Your guess is as good as mine as to what the catwalks look like underneath this, but my guess is that they kept them as the original configuration and just added new steel outboard (as opposed to cutting down and railing up the open areas). The Princeton kit will have the same config.

4) The big changes to the CVL-22 mast would be to chop off some of the platform on part H43 so that there's only one reproducer on the side (the searchlight looking things). If you look at this photo, you can see that they essentially cut off the front half of this platform, leaving some of the original structure in place when they did (I.e., it's not centered between the mast legs). The SG radar platform on the top, pieces H2 and MB9, should be replaced with a pole mast and circular platform (the Princeton kit has this)

5) Chop piece H32 in half; this is the top platform on the island. San Jacinto had that area covered by canvas and not metal based on this photo. Entry may have been via ladder to the starboard side, but my photos aren't quite clear enough to be definitive. I'd say I'm 90% certain, though.

Might be a few more minor items, but that should get you really close.

[whaynes]

Tracy, I'm planning on building USS Belleau Wood with the Independance kit. What changes do I need to impliment?
walt

[Tracy White]

Haven't looked, and I need to focus on a couple of other things for a couple of days now... could you send me a reminder PM in a week or so if I don't get back to you?

[USS California BB44]

Does anyone here know what changes would be needed to convert the Dragon Independence into the USS Monterey in dazzle? Or am I better off waiting and buying the Princeton kit instead?

[Tracy White]

If you don't have a kit already start with the Princeton kit.

[USS California BB44]

Thanks. Will do.

[oneslim]

Tracy,


When You get the time will You post the changes for Monterey when she was in dazzle for the Independence kit? No real rush.

Bob W

[Tracy White]

Tracy, I'm planning on building USS Belleau Wood with the Independance kit. What changes do I need to impliment?

It looks like you lucked out; the Belleau Wood in dazzle and before is pretty close to the later CVL-22 kit fit. There are two things to change and one mystery I'm not sure about.
1) change the stern 20mm gallery as described above for San Jacinto
2) Change the SG radar platform on the top of the mast the same way as mentioned for San Jacinto if starting from the CVL-22 kit (pole mast and circular platform instead of saw-horse shape.

The mystery is the 20mm gun gallery between the stacks; it's there in 1943 but the July 1944 dazzle shots I have only show one view of her starboard side and there's a wood platform in the foreground hiding this area. It's gone as of her January 1945 overhaul at least, but unlike the other ships, which made one large parking platform, she appears to have just removed the whole thing and kept two, separate platforms. I'll keep an eye out....

[whaynes]

Tracy, thanks so much for the quick reply. Regards, Walt

[whaynes]

Using Measure 33/3D for Belleau Wood. What color would the forward-most and aft bulkheads,parts G2 and G8, be painted? Does the camo scheme extend beneath the flight deck? Thanks in advance.
Walt