Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[Timmy C]

The Revell kit is not a rebox, and is an older/inferior kit to the Tamiya.

As a first-generation Tamiya 350th kit, I would expect a price of $80-90 in a regular physical store in North American. I don't know how much more it gets jacked up for UK import. Online, it appears that $60 is the norm, plus shipping.

It appears LuckyModel can get it for you within 1 week: http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=TA%2078018
Though I'd email them first before paying to confirm that it's not discontinued.

[smorariu]

Does anyone have a good picture of the grille that was over the starboard aft gun tub for Iowa? I am modeling Iowa around october 1986 - Operation Northern Wedding. I'm looking for a top view or any details of the grille. Did it look like Missouri or Wisconsin but on the other side?

[Cliffy B]

Go here if you haven't already and type "Northern Wedding" into the search box; enjoy! There are some shots of her in that set. Click the icon on the right under the photo (the box with the down arrow under) it to download in high-res.

http://www.defenseimagery.mil/index.html

These might help:

http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.h ... cadcab442e
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.h ... ba97d33966
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.h ... c060a40ce2
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.h ... 8a314e9d2d

Also search "BB-61". I tend to get better results using the ship's designation rather than their name.

Hope that helps,
-Mike

[smorariu]

This is huge - thanks.

[Cliffy B]

Glad that site can help you. If you want any detail shots of anything let me know as I'm a tour guide on BB-64. I know she's a little different than BB-61 but she's still close. Let me know if you do, I'm there weekly.

-Mike

[zadmiral]

Cliffy your a tour guide on BB64?....excellent.
You would then be in a position to measure some things for me?
Like the length, width and diameter of the anchor chain links.
And the height of the deck railings along the ships side.
is that possible?
Z

[Cliffy B]

Certainly possible Z, just need to remember to take a tape measure with me You're talking about the main deck (weather deck) railings right? I'll take some photos of the anchor chains and associated equipment as well as the railings and stanchions. One thing to note, we have full netting added to all of the deck railings (all decks) for safety purposes. The original stanchions are used though so it shouldn't skew the data at all.

I'll be aboard again early next week. Anything else you want let me know before the weekend is out.

-Mike

[zadmiral]

Thank you that will help me a lot. I have to make a lot of these stanchions in 1/48th. Probably going to cast them out of pot metal, The anchor chains are a long story.
I cant find 2 links per inch anywhere, which I believe should be the correct size for an Iowa.
Number 5 chain is 3 links, and too long. number 4 chain is too big at 1.5 links/inch....or so Ive guessed from pictures. In any case Im going to have to solder in a center piece to simulate dylock anchor chain.
But if I get the exact dimentions I can cast links in half link sections and solder together.
My biggest issue tho is trying to find a picture of 1945 era re-fueling apparatus. Its much different than the modern equipment. Im hoping that the North Carolina still has the ww2 fueling stations intact,,,or possibly the Alabama. But e-mails to both of those museams have gotten no response.
Ive been to both of them and the Wisconsin. But that was way before I knew I was going to need to measure things and take pictures.
Thank you again.
Z

[zadmiral]

Yes the main deck. and I think they used some on the 01 level in 45.
And since you asked
I see tons of pictures of those large circular air vent fans, but no dimensions.
and the capstans and wildcats up fwd. And the bollards. I get a rough idea by comparing the width of the deck boards and using them as a sort of ruler. But its far from accurate.
Man you got a freakin awesome job. Getting to hang out on the Wisconsin all day for a JOB...how cool is that???
Z

[zadmiral]

I can see it now....
the blonde says "sir whats that thingy there???"
and you hafta keep a straight face and say " well that's a 16 inch gun turret" LMAO.
We would tell foreign visitors on my ship, that the disk on top of an E2 Hawkeye was "the crews lounge"
they would say "oh ok" then stare at it for awhile in disbelief. It was hilarious.
Z

[zadmiral]

Interestingly, I was also on frigates doing ASW as part of the air detachment. there were a lot of "showdowns" with Russian subs. Including the Echo-2 that smashed into the USS Voge in 76.
I was on the deck for that one, The "official US Navy photo" of the Echo immediately after the collision in Time magazine was mine. What an ordeal.
Z

[Fliger747]

Building in 1:192 and looking for some sort of better lifeline Main deck and O1level (fwd) stantion material than round, hoping for at least small square section stock. Evergreen has styrene that small but lacks stiffness. Brass, Aluminum?

Any ideas? T

[Cliffy B]

I have photos and measurements from today gentlemen. If you were like me, you'll be surprised that BB-64 at least, has 2 different main deck stanchions. One type used on the extreme bow and then another that's used everywhere else on the main deck and at least on the O-1 level. I took photos of both stanchions as well as the fo'c'sle including the anchor equipment, bits, chocks, and breakwater. I measured the stanchions and anchor chain links. I'll upload them to my photo bucket and post the link later tonight or tomorrow.

[Fliger747]

My suspicion is this was related to main battery blast. Some ships could lay them flat, though I have no data currently that this was true for the Iowa's.

T

[Hallis]

I have photos and measurements from today gentlemen. If you were like me, you'll be surprised that BB-64 at least, has 2 different main deck stanchions. One type used on the extreme bow and then another that's used everywhere else on the main deck and at least on the O-1 level. I took photos of both stanchions as well as the fo'c'sle including the anchor equipment, bits, chocks, and breakwater. I measured the stanchions and anchor chain links. I'll upload them to my photo bucket and post the link later tonight or tomorrow.

Good news is that if we ever need ANY detail about an Iowa class. Cliff can probably get us measurements, pics, and uber details within a day or two So glad and still jealous that you work on that beautiful grey monster

[Cliffy B]

Sorry guys...busy week and weekend. I'll get the shots up tonight.

[Cliffy B]

OK, here we go gents!

Anchor chains:
120lbs per link
20" long, 12" wide, and 3.5" thick

Stanchions:
Fo'c'sle: Round with a constant diameter.
47" tall
2.25" diameter

Main Deck: I-Beams that taper towards the top *Special stanchions with Awning stanchion attachments (see photos)*
Base: 5" (fore-aft) 5.25" (port-starboard)
Top: 3.125" (fore-aft) 3.25" (port-starboard)

For both types of stanchions there are pairs of hooks welded on that hold the railing lines. The Hooks are 7.5" apart from the deck to the top with the upper hook sitting 10.5" from the 2nd, IE all are equidistant save for the uppermost hook.

We have the original O-1 level awnings and awning stanchions currently rigged so I'll take some detail shots of said stanchions with their extensions tomorrow and add them to the album.

Note: All of our railings have had safety netting added so I can not be sure if the netting/railing material is original or not. I doubt it is but we do make every concerted effort to keep the ship as accurate as possible. Safety however will always overrule accuracy.

All photos can be found in my Photobucket album: All are uploaded at full resolution so make sure to download full size.
Case sensitive Password is: Battleship
*Note: All photos were taken from the breakwater forward*

http://s647.photobucket.com/user/Cliffy ... ots%202013

Enjoy guys! Any questions feel free.

-Mike

Edit: Added the awning stanchion shots.

[Cliffy B]

Let me know if those shots/measurements are OK guys. I'll be back aboard on Thursday so let me know by tomorrow night if you want anything else for this weekend

[Fliger747]

Thanks for the photos of the awning stanchions. The upper portion is removed and stored somewhere? I like to be able to rotate my turrets so will probably have at least some with the top stowed. Still somewhat at odds as to how to fabricate these in 1:192.

T

[Fliger747]

Trying several methods for the 0-1 stanchions; split Bamboo into square sections and slightly tapered; the smallest plastruct I beam I could find, tapered both ways. I did find a photo of the 16-2 mount firing to stbd, with the stanchions laid flat.

Question: how many stanchions are there from abeam the turret rangefinder aft to the O-1 deck sponsons?

Cheers. T