What-If modernized USS Long Beach CGN-9

ozpirate · Post by **ozpirate** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:16 pm

Bruce, I'm looking forward to seeing all the progress you made when you get to Wagga. Your model alongside the Enterprise will make for some heavy picture taking form me. Just hope I get the Admiral Kuznetsov ready also for running. 3 big 1/72 ships not to mention anyone else with a 1/72 big ship ( HOOD or Yamato ) If they all turn up you will be right we need a bigger pool.

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Fri May 13, 2011 10:24 pm

Mick its gonna be like a RIMPAC fleet exersize! The lads here are also bringing over the Spruance class USS Fife [DD991], Kidd class USS Scott [DDG995], HMAS Sydney[FFG03],HMAS Vampire[D11] and CGN9 USS Long Beach !!
Add to that Russ's USS Winston Churchill[DDG81], Graham Pack's USS Pinckney[DDG91], USS Gettysburg[CG64], and HMAS ANZAC[FFH150] plus assorted other escort's it will be very tight!!

Cheers Bruce

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Fri May 13, 2011 10:33 pm

carr wrote:She's looking better with every new post! I love this one.

As a detail nut, I have to ask about the SLQ-32. You've installed the SLQ-32(v)3. Your time frame is mid to late 90's. From the mid 90's on, SLQ-32 was often paired with a separate enhancement called Sidekick; the pair of devices was collectively referred to as SLQ-32(v)5. Just thought I'd throw that out there in case you wanted to consider adding Sidekick.

Here's a photo of Sidekick as mounted on a Perry FFG.

Regardless, this is great work. I can't wait to see more.

Regards,
Bob

Thx Bob!!
Great pic does the sidekick module need 2 be exactly as shown?? I have a couple of little resin bits that came with the SLQ32 that look different 2 the sidekick. Was going 2 use em on the Aft end somewhere!

Cheers Bruce

carr · Post by **carr** » Fri May 13, 2011 10:59 pm

I've done some more digging on the SLQ-32 family.

Sidekick is an active ECM transmitter which was paired with the (v)2 to form the (v)5. Interestingly, it was only installed on Spruance and Perry class ships and, more recently, on AOE's. Nothing in my references indicates whether the Sidekick must be mounted in physical proximity to the main (v)2.

The larger ships tended to receive the (v)3.

I guess if you want to most closely mimic Navy practice, just stick with the (v)3 which you already have installed and no Sidekick.

Hope this clears things up! Unfortunately, like most Navy-related matters, it's a hodge-podge of versions, installations, and classes!

Regards,
Bob

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Fri May 20, 2011 4:07 am

Thx Bob! I will leave the Sidekick off then!!
Been busy doing some work around the stern of LB and leveled the midship decks with some filler. Then set about making up the large deck vents at the stern of the ship, also extended aft the flight deck by 2" to get the proportions of it right.
Today glued ( CA ) the vents, bollards, and various fairleads in place around stern and along midships area. (the bow section won't get any Bollards or Fairleads until the new bow is built, no point in wasting resin fittings!), then gave it all a coat of primer.
Next thing need 2 tidy up wiring of hanger lights!

Cheers Bruce

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:54 am

A quick update on progress!! Have re-painted the Hull and given the main deck a coat of dark gray for the non skid and decided 2 do her aft hull No's and Ships Name on stern. keen eyes may note the hull is a different gray 2 the Superstructure! I have found that Tamiya Haze gray is too bluish and doesn't look accurate (except under some light conditions) so I have experimented with various shades of gray and decided upon Tamiya Medium Sea gray2.....4now! The superstructure will shortly get a bit of a respray 2 match the hull hopefully in time for the road trip on Friday....we shall C!!

Cheers Bruce

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:06 am

Some pix of CGN9 on Fleet Ex. Great fun seeing her with a Tico, Spruance, Kidd and Burke classes!

Bruce

Pix by me , Mick, Jim and Steve

navydavesof · Post by **navydavesof** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:32 am

Nice, Bruce! GREAT job!!! Long Beach is looking pretty nice! Keep up the great work.

It's going to be pretty neat seeing your friend's Iowa-class roaming around with the rest of your fleet. The Iowa-class is going to have some real competition with Long Beach in the same water!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:07 pm

I really love what you are doing with your USS Long Beach Model. I served on her from 1987 to 1991, and you have many of the details very right. I like some of your modifications such as the helo hangers in the old Talos missile bay. We were using it as a gym. I will say though that the updated guns you installed between the superstructures would not work on the real boat. Those guns require about three or four decks of magazines and equipment to operate and the #1 Engineroom was directly under them. I know, I served in M-1 Div. It looked like a VLS type launcher was put between the guns. Same issue. Please understand I don't at all care that you made changes. I think they are cool. I just wanted to point out the layout inside the ship. I really liked the Painting showing the proposed Aegis mod. It was shot down by Adm Rickover who wanted a new class of Nuclear Aegis cruiser. He ended up loosing all the Nuclear surface units instead.

Thank you for your cool project,
James

navydavesof · Post by **navydavesof** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:01 am

Guest wrote:...I will say though that the updated guns you installed between the superstructures would not work on the real boat. Those guns require about three or four decks of magazines and equipment to operate and the #1 Engineroom was directly under them...It looked like a VLS type launcher was put between the guns. Same issue.

What a great point. You know...if (and ONLY if) you wanted to make a realistic model, you could put a 64 and 32 cell VLS launcher in place of the #2 Mk10 launcher. That would keep the super long range of the Mk10 forward with the large numbers of SM-2s in the VLS.

The 5" guns, however could still be amidships. The "deep mags" associated with the Mk45 5" are strictly a function of the class of ship they're common on. The Long Beach, or battleships for that matter, could accommodate a joint mag between the two mounts on the weather deck without a problem.

I really liked the Painting showing the proposed Aegis mod. It was shot down by Adm Rickover who wanted a new class of Nuclear Aegis cruiser. He ended up loosing all the Nuclear surface units instead.

He bet his whole hand on getting Aegis cruisers, and he wound up with none...so too bad for those of us in the Navy now...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 1:59 pm

Good point about the Mk 45 5" guns. The newer VLS is capable of launching the SM-1 Block 3 ER ABM, which would suit for just about any threat. I would put one of the proposed 8" rapid fire guns where #1 Mk 10 is located which would eat into berthing space but was aft of the forward EDG's. Then install several 64 VLS systems where the magazine for #1 launcher and #2 Launcher are located. The VLS is capable of launching ASROC's making the pepper box redundant. With the radar guidance for the Mk-45 5" amidship the Gun directors become redundant. The Mk-45's do have to be mounted toward the rear of the midships area to clear the aft top hat. It would take away the officer's store room, soda store room, ship's store and the liberary but Boo Hoo. The hanger bay encompassed the whole of th aft superstructures lower large box. I am thinking 4 helo's could fit, but three for sure. You have some cool ideas.

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:01 am

Guest wrote:I really love what you are doing with your USS Long Beach Model. I served on her from 1987 to 1991, and you have many of the details very right. I like some of your modifications such as the helo hangers in the old Talos missile bay. We were using it as a gym. I will say though that the updated guns you installed between the superstructures would not work on the real boat. Those guns require about three or four decks of magazines and equipment to operate and the #1 Engineroom was directly under them. I know, I served in M-1 Div. It looked like a VLS type launcher was put between the guns. Same issue. Please understand I don't at all care that you made changes. I think they are cool. I just wanted to point out the layout inside the ship. I really liked the Painting showing the proposed Aegis mod. It was shot down by Adm Rickover who wanted a new class of Nuclear Aegis cruiser. He ended up loosing all the Nuclear surface units instead.

Thank you for your cool project,
James

Thanks for the comments James!!

I set up the VLS positions before I was aware of the location of the reactors and engine spaces! There will be a bit of a rebuild of the superstructure eventually, that will involve building a stronger reshaped midships section, new bridge cube with more accurate lower windows and an improved aft structure with better thought out hanger (having seen DW's type 45 hanger...I have ideas on a better design for CGN-9's!)

Cheers Bruce

Pic's by Mick Elst and Me

CG-23 Sailor · Post by **CG-23 Sailor** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 12:26 pm

carr wrote:She's looking better with every new post! I love this one.

As a detail nut, I have to ask about the SLQ-32. You've installed the SLQ-32(v)3. Your time frame is mid to late 90's. From the mid 90's on, SLQ-32 was often paired with a separate enhancement called Sidekick; the pair of devices was collectively referred to as SLQ-32(v)5. Just thought I'd throw that out there in case you wanted to consider adding Sidekick.

Here's a photo of Sidekick as mounted on a Perry FFG.

Regardless, this is great work. I can't wait to see more. :thumbs_up_1:

Regards,
Bob

The (v)3 is correct. there is no need of SIDEKICK to be added. The SIDEKICK was ONLY added to SLQ-32 (v)2 systems not the SLQ-32 (v)3 systems.

SLQ-32

v1 could only detect search radars and other lower frequency radars (Bands 1 and 2)

v2 added an addition frequency band of detection allowing it to detect targeting and weapons guidance radars (bands 1,2 and 3)

v3 added ECM jamming to Band 3 frequencies

v4 was unique to carriers and was essentially 2 v3 systems tied into a single control console (this was because the antenna installations to too far apart and the second antenna needed its own power supply and control system)

v5 was SIDEKICK added to a v2 installation to give it an add-on ECM jamming capability which the v2 lacked.

So he has v3 installed and v3 is what was actually installed on the real Long Beach. Why would he put SIDEKICK on her? SIDEKICK is ONLY for the v2 installations. Your photo circling the SIDEKICK is below a v2 antenna enclosure, not a v3.

Served about USS Halsey, CG23
An NTU ship with the SLQ-32(v)3
I was an EW (Electronic Warfare Technician) and the SLQ-32 was my equipment.

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Wed Nov 06, 2013 3:55 am

Thanks CG23 for your insight!!

CGN9 is in refit at the moment (some hull re fibre glassing and tidying stuff up) eventually I will be doing a full rebuild of the bridge super structure, fwd mast, midships area (deleting the Goalkeepers, relocating the 5" mk45's and VLS (and will have working VLS.....

) and rebuilding the hanger.....only part I am keeping is the fwd superstructure section and the base of the bridge (from around the boat deck level down) The good thing is I can keep using the existing superstructure till the replacements are done!

Cheers Bruce

SumGui · Post by **SumGui** » Wed Nov 06, 2013 10:47 am

Heartbreaking to see her in parts like that, but I am looking forward to the updated version!

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Thu Nov 07, 2013 3:32 am

DavidP wrote:HvyCgn9, what goalkeepers as she had phalanx ciws?

David I have been building her as a "what if she wasn't decomm'd" My CGN9 is unchanged from the bridge SS fwd, all changes are in the midships and aft super structures.

midships mods: old 5"mk30 guns replaced by 5"mk45 62cal's, VLS (two 32 cell blocks either side of kingpost), 2x 30mm Goalkeeper mounts (port and stbd, modified for anti smallcraft as well as missiles)
When I build the new midships section of superstructure I shall be making some changes in positioning of the mk45's and VLS and deleting the 30mm's.
Aft SS saw the TALOS magazine extended and converted into a hanger. All I am keeping from mkI hanger is the lattice mast for the SPS-49! New version will be better detailed and have improved lighting and possibly working hanger doors.

Cheers Bruce

PS go back thru the thread and you will see some good pix of the modified beasty...

navydavesof · Post by **navydavesof** » Thu Nov 07, 2013 7:17 am

It sounds like she's going to get a pretty good upgrade for sure! It will be great watching it happen.

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:53 am

Needed one more day to get her fully painted for our Club event last weekend....Got all but the boot line paint in time!

Here are some pic's of CGN9 running with CGN36 for the first time at the same time! I was at he helm of USS California and my clubmate Nick was steering USS Long Beach (Nick has the all Aluminum LCS2 seen elsewhere on the forum)

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 3:20 am

Was back at West Lakes for some testing at a different spot...this location has an arched footbridge about 30' high in center. Had some fun...got some good pix!

Apologies for any duplication of the this post from the build thread!! This is for those that don't check the build forum!!!

Cheers N Beers,

Bruce

a safe and happy New Year to all.

HvyCgn9 · Post by **HvyCgn9** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:33 am

Myself, Jim, Scott and Richard rolled up to my new favourite spot at West lakes on Sunday for a Non official TF72 run. We had USS Long Beach (Me), HMAS Vampire (Jim), HMAS Sydney (Scott's AWD completed with functional VLS...) and HMA Darwin (Richard).

We cruised about practicing some Fleet operations and HMAS Sydney test fired some missiles!!!! The locals were suitably impressed and asked when we would be back! Everyone had fun until batteries started to run low from about 4 hours of continuous Operations (Long Beach being the exception! with plenty of Ooomp left in her Reactors!)

Here are some pix by myself and Scott!

Cheers Bruce