Calling all Essex-class (WWII configuration) fans

[Timmy C]

After some four/five hours of endless staring at over 1800 posts that made up the former "Calling all Essex class Carrier Fans" thread, I've finally sorted out the postwar stuff from the wartime stuff. I've left a few pieces in here that should technically be in the postwar thread, but have been kept here for the sake of continuity of discussion.

[Guest]

Thanks Tracy and I do have pics. I'll be sure to post them in the appropriate place.

In the previous post I related about the recordings my father made during the war and the
fact that they were playing in a continuous loop on board the Yorktown exhibit at Patriots Point.
I haven't been back in years and was wondering if their still playing. Anybody know?

Anyway, back to the model. So I decided to build in 1/72 scale and make it RC, I had the plans for the hull
and the plates along with the flight deck.
I had to redraw the plates I received up to 1/72 scale from whatever scale they were and fortunately
I had the tools to do it right. I created a grid on the existing drawing as all the plates were
shown in one view. I then created a gird on my computer using CAD software and created an
individual sheet for each plate. By measuring the overall width and height of the plate drawing
I received, I back calculated to find that scale then drew it full size in CAD. I then plotted
out each plate to the 1/72 scale size I needed, glued them to 1/4" plywood and cut them out on
a jig saw. The mid plate was made up of (2) 1/2" thick plastic coated plywood pieces. This enabled
me to build the ship in 2 halves and bolt together at those plates. By putting identical groves
that faced each other in the mid-plates using a router there was an indent for plastic tubing to
make a water tight joint when the two halves are bolted to create the full length ship.

I made 2 building boards of 1" plywood with grooves for each plate, which had a tab to go into the grooves
in the boards and began my construction. I had scribed a center line down the middle of the board and had
a similar line on the plates. I then lightly glued each plate to the board and made sure the spacing was
the same at the top and bottom. I started each measurement from the mid-plates as I made sure these
were 90 degrees to the build board. I inserted my keel and glued it in place. When redrawing the plates
I tried to be accurate to achieve the actual outside dimensions of the hull after adding the fiberglass
cloth and resin and I added additional bracing the entire length of each half to keep the plates square
at all points. I then glued thin blocks of blue foam (housing insulation) between each plate with the
edge sticking up enough so I could sand it back flush with the outside edge of the plate thus giving me the
shape of the hull. I glued the foam to the plywood plates using Liquid nails, as I knew this would not
attack the foam. Once finished I sanded the entire ship so the plates and foam both meet the contour required.
I will post pictures soon. I'm writing this on a borrowed computer while I go through chemo and Radiation
therapy at the U of Chicago Medical Center. I'll pick this up shortly.

[Tracy White]

Good to hear back from you and I hope the therapy isn't too harsh!

One of my diorama desires is a section of Hancock's hull in 1/48th scale; I have some photographs of a landing gone bad that resulted in a F4F hanging from the catwalk and the pilot swinging from the cockpit from a rope held by crew members!

[drdoom1337]

If one were trying to bulid Interpid in 1/350 scale, Fall 1944, I'm going to assume the Yorktown kit is the best since Intrepid had 2 catapults at this time? But the radar array and mast area seems different from that of Yorktown. Am I correct?

[Adaks]

In my opinion Franklin kit is a better starting point. The main problem will be stern sponson. Both Yorktown and Franklin have sponsons with two 40 mm quads and you will need sponson with single 40 mm quad. But it should not be hard to scratchbuild.

[Pontosmodel]

In my opinion Franklin kit is a better starting point. The main problem will be stern sponson. Both Yorktown and Franklin have sponsons with two 40 mm quads and you will need sponson with single 40 mm quad. But it should not be hard to scratchbuild.

You may need these PE parts.



Thank you
Kim

[Adaks]

You may need these PE parts.



Thank you
Kim

Is it a part of your new 1/350 USS Yorktown Detail Up Set ? If so, it will be very useful. Personally I do not need this sponson for my projects (I already have it in plastic ) but many modellers building other ships of the class (for exemple late 1944 Intrepid) will be happy.

[Mark McKinnis]

I have a question for the Essex Experts...( Tracey!)


I am doing Essex in her summer 1943 look. She appears to not have the two 40MM Tubs on the Starboard side aft like the following ( short hull) ships of the class. Can someone verify that?

Thanks,

MM

[Tracy White]

Starboard aft, yes. Starboard under the island, no.

[Mark McKinnis]

OK, so she had the two tubs on the hanger deck Starborad aft like all of the other short hulls.

Thanks Tracy,


MM

[Adaks]

In my opinion she did not have these two 40mm quads on the starboard side aft in 1943.

You can�t see them in this photo (taken in early 1944):

[Tracy White]

Yeah, Adaks is right; I didn't look at my notes and had brain farted and was thinking you were asking about 1944.... 1943 was the first summer Essex was active and was in her earlier fit. The Quad 40mms on the starboard stern were added during her overhaul that ended in April of 1944. I believe there might have been two 20mms in the aft-most area before then, but would need to look at my materials at home to be sure.

[Mark McKinnis]

OK, that is what I thought as well. I have seen photos of her in 1943 and the aft end of the flight deck had two sets of 20mm.

[Adaks]

I have seen photos of her in 1943 and the aft end of the flight deck had two sets of 20mm.

I think that Tracy is referring to this area:



According to my materials CV-9 did not have 20 mm guns there.

Best regards

Adam

[Brian J.]

Nice photo of a "good as new" Bunker Hill. I would like to see some port shots at a similar range. Question, what is the antenna (crock pot looking thing )on the mast aft of the funnel?

[Tracy White]

According to my materials CV-9 did not have 20 mm guns there.

That's it, I'm not answering any more without referencing my notes.

[Mark McKinnis]

It is all so confusing.

It is really funny how much research we do to make a particular ship model correct when the odds of winning the lottery are greater than someone walking into the "man cave" and pointing out that this or that is incorrect with any accuracy.

I guess the problem is, ......we know........

Thanks for the help guys.

As far as Tracy goes....I will paraphrase a Star Trek movie here:

When it comes to the Essex Class in WWII, "your guess is better than most peoples facts."

[Hippy Ed]

It is all so confusing.

It is really funny how much research we do to make a particular ship model correct when the odds of winning the lottery are greater than someone walking into the "man cave" and pointing out that this or that is incorrect with any accuracy.

I guess the problem is, ......we know........

Thanks for the help guys.

As far as Tracy goes....I will paraphrase a Star Trek movie here:

When it comes to the Essex Class in WWII, "your guess is better than most peoples facts."

Roger that!!

[Tracy White]

I will say that we had family visiting and camping out in the room where all my reference books and computer with research are kept.

That said, I also have a thumb drive of notes I keep with me that I didn't reference either, so mea culpa.

As far as the differences go... I think it's cool in a way. A bit of a PITA for some, but it also means that you have options and variations.

[Dick J]

Question, what is the antenna (crock pot looking thing )on the mast aft of the funnel?

I believe that it is the after SG radar set, with a new fiberglass enclosure to protect it from the stack gas.