Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[BB62vet]

James M - well, as I stated "I could be wrong" - AND WAS!!! Of course, after I posted that it dawned on me that common sense would dictate that there be manual operators as a backup to ensure the doors could be opened/closed in an emergency. By the way, do you know Dick Landgraff by any chance? He and I have known each other (via emails/correspondence) for a very long time and I know he's quite involved with IOWA.

CliffyB - whatever help you can provide is welcome!! That first gusset plate location is the key!

Tom F - it wouldn't surprise me at all if the gusset on BB-61/62 are at a different spacing than those on BB-63/64. I guess the only REAL way to know for sure the exact spacing would be to go to each ship and physically measure them. I wish I had a contact in Camden, but at the present time I don't.

Hank

[Fliger747]

I suppose a drive could hide inside the top hinge fitting. Note the Zerk fitting.

Hank: Sent you a somewhat larger photo of the bow gussets on BB63 than can be posted here.

[James M]

Hey Hank
I do know Langraff. Both he and Lee Upshaw are good friends of mine. They both worked on the New Jersey and Missouri at Long Beach NS.
They were the ones that got me onboard the Iowa at Benicia.

I see you are in North Carolina. There's a group of modelers that hold a 1/96 scale event every year in Rocky Mount. It will be this weekend at the City Park.
Here's a link to the event:
http://www.wmunderway.8m.com/cgi/yabb2/ ... 1391469710

I will be there along with Lee Upshaw. There will be several Iowa class battleships this year.
Maybe you could make the trip. You would love talking with Lee, he knows more than most about these ships. If he doesn't we just ask Dick.

James

[BB62vet]

James,

I just PM'd you re. your reply.

Hank

[Cliffy B]

I'm pretty sure those zercs are just to grease the hinges.

[RandyM]

Working on rear of 5-inch mount. The rectangular object above the hinge appears to be an actuator for the auxiliary ejection chute hatch: does anyone know how this operates?

[Fliger747]

Randy:

BB 63 does not have any water breakwaters over the mount hatches. I do have a decent view of this area.

Regards. Tom

[Fliger747]

This is the 52 mount which has the blast hoods removed, though some of the hardware is still attached.

Cheers: T

[RandyM]

Arrrrggggghhhhhh.... these little differences are challenging and frustrating. It took me 10 minutes to figure out to get that little ledge to follow the radius of the rear plate :>

Oh well. Do you have any idea as to whether they were there as-built? Seems like there would be no good reason to remove them later, so probably not. On the other hand, why not simply build ALL the mounts the same? Subcontractor cheaping out? Inconsistent drawings/workmanship? As I say, arrrrgggghhhhh.

[Fliger747]

From underway photos in 1945 it appears that there was a small (<2") horizontal straight ledge over the doors, extending to the corner of the mount. Haven't found any great pix yet.

Stillwell, Battleship Missouri P 54

[Fliger747]

Better photo Stillwell p 209, will see if I can post it.

T

[Fliger747]

Stolen from Stillwell P 209

Note lifting pads for mount shield at diagonal corners.

[Fliger747]

Looking at the casings and zerk fittngs and regarding the thickness of the splinter shield, I guess a gear and crank.

[RandyM]

Ok, here are the next group of images. Focus has been on the rear portion of the 5-inch twin mount. Four images of the mount, plus one in-situ (sans hull).

Maybe 85% complete? Fire away.

http://www.nulspace.com/hobbies/missouri/101014ac.JPG

http://www.nulspace.com/hobbies/missouri/101014d.JPG

[BB62vet]

Randy -

Those mounts look like the real deal!! Very good (and tedious) work there. You're leaving no terns unstoned on this one!!

Hank

[RandyM]

I'm one of those nutty people who looks at something and wonders how it was built, what's inside, etc.

Not too accurate and very incomplete, but this sort of gives an idea...

[Cliffy B]

What's wrong with that Randy?

[James M]

Cliffy, I will be at the Wisconsin this Tuesday. Will you be there?

James

[BB62vet]

James, Cliffy -

I'm jealous

Hank

[Cliffy B]

Cliffy, I will be at the Wisconsin this Tuesday. Will you be there?

James

All day man! Ask the guys on the quarterdeck for Mike if you don't see me