Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[BB62vet]

I don't believe that the 20mm AA batteries were retained for Korea, photos of NEW JERSEY circa. 1950 show them removed. I don't think the other IOWA's would have retained them either.

Hank

[BB62vet]

Velico-Pele -

I believe the area you were questioning (pg. 74) is shown in the following photo of NEW JERSEY (1945) - the plated area on MISSOURI covers portholes on the 01 level bulkhead.

[Cliffy B]

As per the 20mm batteries this is what Friedman says; my paraphrasing.

"The ultimate authorized battery in late 1945 was 8 twins and 32 singles. All BBs went into reserve with only the twins."
"In 1951 each Iowa was assigned a total of 32 twin mounts. BB-61 carried none, BB-63 had all 32, and BB-62 and 64 had 16 each. By October the ultimate battery included NO 20MM MOUNTS and within one year they were gone."

So in early 1951 you could still find them aboard but by late 1952 they were gone. Whether it jives with photos from the same period I have no idea but its a starting point if nothing else.

[Russ2146]

BB62vet,
The area is in your photo but its the 02 level bulkhead, ahead of and below the forward corner of the flag bridge on the 03 level. Take a look at page 6 of http://www.hnsa.org/doc/plans/bb64.pdf

[2whl]

I'm a ship newbie and I want to build a late war Missouri. I have the 1/350 Tamiya kit(78008) and have purchased the Eduard p/e set. I have also read through most of Builder 2010's build on WAB. I have concerns regarding the breakage he had with the p/e. So my questions are:

1. Should I get another set of p/e? if so which one?
2. How is the Tom's Model works set? I am thinking of the deluxe set for the Missouri.
3. Gun barrels. Which set do I get?

I almost pulled the trigger on the Pontos set, but noticed the base kit recommended was the New Jersey and it was for a 80's version, so it didn't have the crane at the rear.

I also have a set of Pontos decks on the way.

All thoughts are appreciated.

[Fliger747]

Of all the HSNA Iowa class plans this one is the only one labeling the area, or even showing it. The compartment below the conning tower is shown as a plenum leading to two main vent shafts. So there must be a large intake under there, but I don't remember seeing one. Possible for inactivation it was blocked off? Perhaps we could ask cliffyB to peek under the skirt on this one?

T

[Fliger747]

The Allen B Chesley plans in Stillwell's Missouri book show the vent shields in the deck plans. His drawings so far seem to be very good indeed. Of particular interest are the hull plans, which are relevant to the controversy regarding the Trumpeter 1:200 hull. I wonder what his sources were and if these drawings are available in a larger size somewhere?

Cheers: T

[BB62vet]

The Allen B Chesley plans in Stillwell's Missouri book show the vent shields in the deck plans. His drawings so far seem to be very good indeed. Of particular interest are the hull plans, which are relevant to the controversy regarding the Trumpeter 1:200 hull. I wonder what his sources were and if these drawings are available in a larger size somewhere?

I believe that may be similar to the set I just received (NEW JERSEY 1967-69) from Floating Drydock (1:192 scale) - I resized them to 1:200 (copy @ 96%) and printed them out on our large format printer/copier.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Great to have that sort of facility available! I have all the tools and space for professional furniture and cabinet making which tilts my works in certain directions. Every modeler tends to have some space and equipment (and skill) sets that they utilize to produce a certain type of model. At one time I produced a model of a DE that I served on with nothing but an exacto knife and a set of pliers and tweezers. Long before things like PE, this tiny ship had lifelines and rigging from the coarse dark hair of an old girlfriend! Modeling is often about the challenges and the ingenuity to solve a myriad of problems.

Having the CAD and layout facilities available to you plus all of your research resources should result in a most outstanding project!

Regards. T

[Fliger747]

I posted this photo elsewhere, but the question might be more likely to be answered here: when did the most modern of the raft baskets enter service on the Iowa's, were they there during the Vietnam era?

Cheers: Tom

[Russ2146]

Baskets there on NJ in 1968

http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/016296.jpg

[BB62vet]

Russ,

I've got that photo somewhere - thanks!

I'm guessing that they are the same as the ones mounted in the '80's.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Now how to build the little devils, in some quantity.

[BB62vet]

Tom,

Seems like that might be a candidate for a cast resin part - maybe two parts, the rack and the raft separate (packed, of course ) Perhaps Cliffy B could take some measurements for you (does he do any sketching??), at least of one of the racks.

Hank

[OS1880]

You can get them in PE. Flyhawk makes them.

[BB62vet]

Fred wrote:

You can get them in PE. Flyhawk makes them.

I have looked over all of the PE manufacturers I could find - no raft baskets - at least not in 1:192 or 1:200 scale.

Where did you find them?

Hank

[Cliffy B]

Flyhawk makes turned brass versions of the inflatable, encapsulated life rafts. I've never seen these sort of racks available aftermarket.

If I remember correctly the BBs couldn't carry the encapsulated versions due to the over pressure from the 16" guns. When they fired they would pop them open. I want to say that they did carry them but only a small amount in a few protected areas. I think I've seen the racks AND the baskets aboard BB-64 but I can't honestly remember at the moment. I'll take a look next week if someone else doesn't figure it out before hand.

Fliger - What vents are specifically talking about?

In reference to the "things" beside the conning tower at the 02 level, I have photos of said area of BB-64 that I'll post later along with others.

[Cliffy B]

Here are shots of BB-64's conning tower taken from the 01 Level as well as shots along the 01 and 02 Levels on the starboard side around the 5"/38s.

Case Sensitive Password: Battleship

http://s647.photobucket.com/user/Cliffy ... t=4&page=1

[Fliger747]

Thanks Cliffy:

Interesting that there is nothing behind there, and that your ship has no covers at all. I remember looking under the ones on BB63 and not seeing anything but didn't take any photos. Memories are fallible.

As to the raft racks, one might be able to make a master for resin of the packed rack. The rack itself it is way to fragile for casting but could be a PE item. I have many close up photos of these empty and no good photos at all of full ones. The round canisters such as found on many active ships are not the same type as used here. I think someone did make cast replicas of these in a smaller scale.

Cheers. Tom

[BB62vet]

Cliffy B,

Nice photos - just viewed your "bucket" - those bow shots will help - thanks!

I've bookmarked your locale so I can go back there when I need to view details.

Hank