Calling all USS Pennsylvania BB-38 fans

[grim reaper]

http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/mi ... rsenal.htm

[Tracy White]

There was also a set by Dunagain Decals that was quite the rage for a bit.
The problem with doing some for gun tubs is that every manufacturer's would be different - hell every model would probably be!

[Andrew D BB39 Sec]

Okay, forgive my ignorance...I've built almost exclusively aircraft for 30 years....

[Tracy White]

Be careful; that was where I was ten years ago...
Well, I think it was only 25 years at that point though.

[RichardAigner]

working on a 1/700 Dragon kit, I want to show her as she was after her last (June 1945) refit. So far, I have figured out:
40mm twin in front of bridge, (replacing a rangefinder?)
radar dish antennas for the 40mm quads (replacing searchlights on aft tower?)
dish antenna on aft tower
Breyer claims she carried "44 40mm guns in quads" (where were guns 43 and 44 placed?)
TIA, Richard

[SeanF]

For the final wartime refit, don't forget the new main battery rangefinder on the aft structure. That's not included in the Dragon kit.

- Sean F.

[mark_sch]

Hello,

Did Dragon decide not to release the 1 350 Pennsylvania? Dragon usa still has it listed but no price and no date if or when it will be released. Just wondering if anyone has info on this model?

Mark

[Tracy White]

Ship kits are on hold. It will probably come out at some point, but I'd say it's probably a couple of years out....

[mark_sch]

Thanks Tracy. That sucks but a kit that will stay on my want list.
Mark

[Tracy White]

Mine too!

[Tracy White]

In answer to your question - "Calling All Ship Fans" started sort of organically, and ships/class essentially get their own thread if the traffic (number of fans) warrants it and can support such a thread.

[Channell]

I saw Pontos recently announced they are gonna do a Pennsylvania mod kit for the Trumpy 1/200 Arizona. Who can resist that?

[Tracy White]

With my 200th Arizona and two 350th Banner kits (one for each) I think I can, but I have no bad words for those that can't!

For what it's worth, I sent Kim a list of items to change for Pennsylvania.

[Jeff Sharp]

Debating whether to post this here, on the main forum, or open up a new "Calling all Pennsylvania fans" topic... but for now, here goes:

I've seen conflicting references to which position Pennsylvania had in BatDiv2 in the later half of 1941, when she left BatDiv 1 in a swap with the Oklahoma. In the new Classic Warships book on the OS2U Kingfisher, she's placed as #3, but elsewhere I've seen mention of her as #1. (California is consistently #2, and the hints of white paint on the top of turret 4 in post-attach photos, plus the aircraft number (2-O-5) of one of her damaged planes in the after-action report bear this out) So... does anyone know anything further on whether Pennsylvania or Tennessee was the flagship of BatDiv2 at the time of the Pearl Parbor attack? (It's the difference between a blue or red turret #4! )

- Sean F.

I realize that I'm 5 years late helping to answer this question, but I came across this photo last night confirming Pennsylvania's position within BatDiv 2 in 1941.

Chiefs! USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). View of seven veteran chief petty officers, circa 1941. (left to right): Chief Gunner�s Mate Louie Warner; Chief Boatswain�s Mate Frederick Heintz; Chief Quartermaster Joseph Wagster; Chief John Wilson; Chief Boatswain�s Mate Robert Hernlen; Chief Steward Alexander Siewart; and Chief Fire Controlman Samuel Kronberger. Note 14?/45 Cal. Guns and Vought OS2U �Kingfisher� on catapault in background. NHHC Photograph Collection, NH 51890.

[Tracy White]

That's also been confirmed by the 1941 Fiscal year fleet organization memo I posted some time ago.

Pennsylvania was already fleet flagship - there was no way she would ALSO be a BatDiv flag.

[Jeff Sharp]

That's also been confirmed by the 1941 Fiscal year fleet organization memo I posted some time ago.

Pennsylvania was already fleet flagship - there was no way she would ALSO be a BatDiv flag.

Case closed. Now, what color was that 3rd turret top?

[Cliffy B]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I "believe" that if the turret had a catapult mounted on its roof it was not painted a division color at all but normal gray.

[Jeff Sharp]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I "believe" that if the turret had a catapult mounted on its roof it was not painted a division color at all but normal gray.

When the directive to color code the turret tops was first discovered a few years back, everyone assumed that the #3 tops remained the same color that the ship was painted in. But, we are coming across more and more photos that dispute that assumption. I can tell you that in 1941 just before all the BB's painted into MS-1, none of their #3 turret tops were light gray and a couple of MS-1 photos are showing something other than 5-D on the #3 top.
So, further research needs to be conducted to figure out what is going on with the #3 tops.

[Tracy White]

There are shots of other ships that had the third turret top painted. Glenn Lane, one of Arizona's aviators, recounted looking down on the red turret top below while he was on the catapult; that's not Pennsylvania, but there's enough "doubt" that one should really try and look for photos to make the determination for each ship.

[Dana Bell]

Sorry I hadn't noticed this discussion before, but Pennsylvania switched divisions in mid-1941. She was listed as part of BatDiv One in January thru April, carrying aircraft coded 1-O-7 thru 1-O-9. Those aircraft were still aboard until May 23rd; on the 26th "three aircraft" were hoisted out for TDY as NAS Ford Island." On May 31st, the ship hoisted aboard 2-O-7 thru 2-O-9, which were the assigned aircraft thru the year's end.

Cheers,



Dana