This is the USS Kentucky, converted to BBH status under nuclear power in 1965. This will be the modernized 1990s version, as if she underwent conversion with the other four Iowas in the mid 80s.
Here's my storyline so far( the XXXs will be filled in when I'm done and do the final scale conversions):
Quote:
The USS Kentucky was still under construction at the end of hostilities and was caught up in the post-war draw down of the armed services. Her construction was suspended twice, during which times she served as a spare parts cache of sorts. Kentucky was nearly scrapped after several failed attempts to have her completed as a guided missile battleship. Since the 71% ship had begun the scrapping process, the Navy used Kentucky's four turbine sets to power the ships Camden and Sacramento. As the hull was being torn into, the Navy suddenly realized the need for helicopter assault troops, after the world saw the action in Il Drang valley in November 1965. The decision had been initially made to convert one of the 4 completed Iowas, but it soon became apparent the hulk of Kentucky would be a more suitable option. With the lack of a suitable boiler system available, the Navy turned to Westinghouse, which had put into production reactor sets for the USS Enterprise and were well equipped to produce more. The resulting power plant included 4 × Westinghouse A2W nuclear reactors with 2 sets of Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 4 × shafts producing 160,000 shp.
The hull was extended XXX feet, giving an overall length of XXX from rear elevator to bow. The initial setup called for one elevator, but experience in Vietnam led to several improvements during her 1985-86 refit. The port side was sponsoned out XXX feet, with an angled flight deck capable of operating McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harriers. The starboard side was also given a small sponson, to allow clearance for larger helicopters, such as the CH-53 Sea Stallion, to park well out of the way of the flight line during operations. A second, larger elevator was also added to the starboard side. This brought the maximum width of the ship to XXX feet. Additional compliments of this upgrade include 4x quadruple Harpoon canisters; 4x 20mm Phalanx CIWS Mk 15 guns; and 24 BGM-84 Tomahawk cruise missiles in six Armored Box Launchers. The original 6 16" 50cal guns leftover from the 1965 refit remain, as well as the 8 5"/38cal guns in four twin turrets. The electronics package included the same compliments the Iowas were given: AN/SPS-49 air search radar; AN/SPS-67 surface search radar; AN/SPQ-9 gun fire control radar; AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite; AN/SLQ-25 Nixie Decoy System; and 8x Mk 36 SBROC Chaff launchers.
Shown "operating" with my waterline USS New Jersey.....
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