Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[chuck]

Looking forward to the pictures, Hank.

I just finished the main structures of the 05 level open bridge, with Pontos PE detailing. But I suspect Pontos probably missed some pedestal mounted binoculars or signal lamps. I am looking for pictures of the 05 open bridge during WWII to confirm whether the bridge is done, or if some scratch built detail is needed.

Next step is bridge on 08 level.

BTW, I noticed trumpeter depicted all the AA target designating binoculars as monoculars. I intend to replace these monoculars with Veteran 1/350 japanese navy pedestal binoculars. The japanese binoculars are the big oversized types, so they are just about right for normal sized in 1/200 scale.

[Fliger747]

Chuck

I have a similar to above looking down on to the 03 level flag bridge. You might check WWII photos but I believe the equipment there is about the same, binoculars (20 power) and a signal lamp. At the aft end of this there is an awarthships inclined ladder, not there during the war, just a vertical ladder. I think Trimpy has this right.

T

[chuck]

Tom, if you are referring to the pedestal binoculars and signal lamp on the wings behind the flag bridge, I am pretty sure those were not there in WWII. The reason is the binocular and signal lamp is currently mounted near the edge of the deck right behind the railing, and the railing extends forward outboard of the windows of the flag bridge.

In WWII, those railings were not there. Instead near where the binoculars are now there was a low bulwark set further inboard, extending back in line with the windows of the flag bridge. The space between the bulwark and the deck edge had a a floater basket on it. Inside of the bulwark there appear to have been a much bigger signal lamp than the one there now. It was possibly a small search light.

Also, does anyone know where I can find a inboard deck plan for aft end of superstructure at level 03?

In WWII configuration, on level 3, there were 2 door sized openings going through the superstructure, one right ahead, the other behind the base of the mk-38 director tower. Trumpeter closed those off with water tight doors, but several photos on Navsource as well several drawings and renderings indicate there were no doors, just plain openings on the side of superstructure. So I opened them up. Now it is possible to see inside. I am looking for deck plan there to see what is inside of these openings? Is there just a narrow athwart ship passage way for foot traffic behind each opening, or does the openings open onto a bigger compartment?

[Fliger747]

The bulwark was changed on the flag bridge, rather than being a straight line, the portion behind the immediate flag area was squared off, so a different arrangement in WWII than currently. From photos it appears there may have been a binocular there, or possibly a 12" signal lamp. What is interesting in 1946 super detailed broadsides of NJ is the presence of a 36" searchlight? let you know if I find applicable BB63 photos.

Added Ribbon boards to my Missouri, massaged dimensionally photos I took of them and printed to scale. Inspired By Song Jung Gun I figured out how to make small brass handwheels (not applicable to you PE guys), added (arranged) deck chairs for the Capt and OOD.

Still not runnig out of "stuff" to add. Next looks like some grating and another hose real structure over and in the port side aft gun tub.

Not having the Trumpy kit I'm not sure what awarthships passages you are referring to on the 03 level, you are referring to the aft Mk38 tower?

Cheers: Tom

[Fliger747]

Giving up for the night, current process is to leave some photo of Missouri on the 27" studio monitor and start trying to replicate and add all sorts of things so far overlooked. At this rate it will never end! T

[Fliger747]

Chuck

The HSNA general arrangement drawing (1954?) of BB64 shows the area you are speculating about. It does appear that there are two short passages that may not have external W/T doors. On either side a photo stores room, a clipping room for 40 mm etc. needs conformation as to being doorless, but not a huge open room.

T

[BB62vet]

Tom, Chuck, et al -

I've posted current photos on my NJ build log so check those out there.

Hank

[chuck]

Tom:

Here is a shot of the doorless opening abaft the tower on the Iowa, visible just above the corner of the 40mm gun shield:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/016122.jpg

Here it is right above the 20mm shield

http://navsource.org/archives/01/061/016177.jpg

Here is the one before the mk-38 tower on the New Jersey, just above the aft most 5" mount

http://navsource.org/archives/01/062/016201b.jpg

I have not found photos of this area on the missouri or Wisconsin, but several renderings of missouri show the arrangement is identical to the Iowa and New Jersey.

[Fliger747]

Whisky plan aft, 1954. the hatched areas without are ovoid openings without doors. Same symbol is used by the awarthships Mk 37 director base openings. Note the centerline passage aft has one of these as well, indicating a structural support. As the ship still has her 40 mm mounts, probably somewhat similar to the WWII configuration.

T

[chuck]

Thanks, Tom

[Fliger747]

John Haynes Model aboard BB 63

[Channell]

Might as well post these here for posterity:







Yes, the 1/200 Trumpeter hull is THAT far off. Yes, it CAN be fixed by hand and yes, it is a giant PITA to do it.

Also, thanks Tom for pointing out the Iowas have three hull skegs; I've never seen a model with that detail before before but apparently that's the way of things under their skirts. You may now consider the ante upped on Iowa class builds.

[Fliger747]

Kudos Jason for persevering to a truly fine hull!

Cheers. Tom

[ModelMonkey]

That hull looks perfect.

[BB62vet]

All right, ALL RIGHT!!! This is just WAY OVER THE TOP

Jason, you have really outdone yourself. Take a bow!!!

Hank

[marengtech]

Jason, you're really making regret the purchase of the trumpy kit, not just one but two kits. Well done on the correction and yes you indeed upped the ante!!

Well, I'm waiting to see whether RandyM will market his hull correction which will be expensive since I need two! Gotta finish those two Yamatos first before I can start a new project.

[Fliger747]

Hardly anyone goes over to the scratch section, so here is a today photo of the goings on with my 1:192.

Cheers: T

[BB62vet]

Tom,

Your BB63 is REALLY looking good - you've added so much detail - it's amazingly REAL!!!

I have to admit, when the topics on similar builds are spread out it's hard to cover each and all. Perhaps a management guru will see all this and figure out a simpler posting process so we all can see what we need to see in an easier fashion - something like a similar topic link within a given post that would be a quick-click to the next one and so one. Does that make sense?

OK, back to your model - I esp. like the way the deck has turned out - very realistic with the variance of the color and grain pattern - much like the real thing!!

Later,

Hank

[Fliger747]

Thanks Hank!

The amount of cross pollination that occurs here is rather amazing, each helps with contribution to research and modeling technique. Working tonight on the SPS 10 radar, which is pretty tiny in this scale. You can see the ribbon board and OOD chair. I do need to run a thin bead of haze gray around the edge of the board as the photo paper white shows!

Cheers: Tom

[Channell]

Tom,

Your BB63 is REALLY looking good - you've added so much detail - it's amazingly REAL!!!

I have to admit, when the topics on similar builds are spread out it's hard to cover each and all. Perhaps a management guru will see all this and figure out a simpler posting process so we all can see what we need to see in an easier fashion - something like a similar topic link within a given post that would be a quick-click to the next one and so one. Does that make sense?

OK, back to your model - I esp. like the way the deck has turned out - very realistic with the variance of the color and grain pattern - much like the real thing!!

Later,

Hank

There's a big empty group builds section that we could use... maybe not a bad idea instead of filling the CASF forums (which is supposed to be focused on technical discussion about the real ships) with tidbits and pics of our 1/192 and 1/200 builds? Sadly even the regular WIP forum is quite a bit slower than it used to be... not sure if fewer folks are building or just less willing to post their work?

Anyway, I LOVE to see other's work and even though I don't always post "Ohhs and Ahhs" I still thinking it!

I'll start an informal group build if there's enough interest... (edit) ah hell, maybe I'll just do it and see who shows up...