I started building a 1/48th scale waterline model of the USS Passaic for my model railroad. I posted photos on my blog at
http://usmrr.blogspot.comSome background on the project. The ship is part of a large harbor scene for my model railroad depicting the USMRR Aquia Line in winter 1862-1863. The Passaic was towed to Washington, DC for repairs in Dec 1862 and was gone before the New Year. In my version it stopped at Aquia Landing for a brief port call on the way back to its duty station, though I have no evidence to support that. But having an ironclad was just too good to pass up, so I am building one.
My main interest in model railroading, but I'd like to do a good job on the ships too. So if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
I am currently working on the turret. The way I built it, the turret will lift off the base revealing the guns and other details. The extent that I model them will depend on how much info I can gather.
Based on Alvah Hunter's book on his service on USS Nahant, a sister to USS Passaic, I need to revise the turret roof. He describes the roof as having wood gratings on top of perforated 2 inch steel plate resting on railroad iron spaced about one foot apart. He also described a single hatch with removable ladders. I added two hatches.
He also describes a smoke box apparatus and a flange bolted to the XV inch gun.
Anyway, any comments are welcome. If anyone can recommend a source for 1/48th scale sailors and naval guns I would appreciate it.
Bernard Kempinski