Calling all South Dakota-class (BB-57) fans!

[vinsonson]

hi all
have a question about the BB57 modelling, anyone knows the structure of this area.

[Betelguese90]

Here are some photos that I took when I visited the Battleship Memorial of the South Dakota when I visited back in June. Looks like its a platform of optics. Don't know how I missed it either and I have been using these images as references. But also the navy model is inaccurate as it has turret B and C swapped...

Edit: I have more if needed. Also have images of the large display demonstration model for how the ship was to look when commissioned if needed as well.

[MatthewB]

I have seen a couple of different solutions.

I am using a brass rod, personally.

But styrene also works.

MB

settled on scratch building it from styrene.

Trumpeter seems to have goofed on another detail. Does anyone have any blueprints of USS South Dakota that shows the "supports" for the 40mm in the picture I added? When I say trumpeter goofed on this, they basically made that 40mm overhang unsupported and the flagship quarters that are supposed to be there, are not.

That is an interesting photo, as it shows the SoDak with the older style Mainmast, rather than the newer that was right next to the Stack.

MB

[Betelguese90]

this is the original photo. pulled it from Navsource and its dated February 1943

[MartinJQuinn]

Left to right: Massachusetts, Indiana and Washington, April 1943

[Betelguese90]

I do not know how true this is, and hopefully someone can debunk or verify this. But I have been seeing some indication that the South Dakota was slotted to be painted in MS32/9D. It was on the USS Chester and a few Allan M. Sumner and Fletcher destroyers. If it was mentioned to be used on the south Dakota, I wonder what it would have looked like.

[task force 58]

The only things that I have cataloged on the Alabama are:

� The Bridge structure being "squared-off" and enclosed from the open, rounded bridge of the 1942 Alabama.
� The platforms on the Pyramid Mast being shaped differently (especially the top one and the level corresponding with the "Striker's Bridge" on the Washington/North Carolina-Class). The top level was more "squared off" in 1942, and more rounded in 1945. And the searchlight platform on the Aft of Pyramid Mast is shaped differently.
��The Mainmast is removed from the pedestal and attached to the aft of the stack.
��More light AA guns (don't know where on the 'bama).

MB

So would the Massachusetts kit would be a better starting point for an August-September 45 Alabama?

[task force 58]

Does anyone know of the Massachusetts's bridge was squared off like the Alabama's?

[diStefan]

Hello fellows,

4 months ago I have got requests from few members to made BB59 parts, after hard work parts for USS Massachusetts BB59 Superstructure in 1/600 and 1/700 scale has completed and ready for 3D printing,

Suitable for: US South Dakota Class, USS Massachusetts BB59

links are here:

1/600 US Massachusetts BB59 Superstructure Level 1! - http://shpws.me/PG9x
1/700 US Massachusetts BB59 Superstructure Level 1! - http://shpws.me/PHjL


1/600 US Massachusetts BB59 Superstructure Level 2! - http://shpws.me/PG9u
1/700 US Massachusetts BB59 Superstructure Level 2! - http://shpws.me/PHjN


1/600 US Massachusetts BB59 Command Bridge! - http://shpws.me/PG9t
1/700 US Massachusetts BB59 Command Bridge! - http://shpws.me/PHjH


1/600 US Massachusetts BB59 1st Level Abv.House! - http://shpws.me/PHjR
1/700 US Massachusetts BB59 1st Level Abv.House! - http://shpws.me/PHjM


1/600 US Massachusetts BB59 Funnel Tower! - http://shpws.me/PG94
1/700 US Massachusetts BB59 Funnel Tower! - http://shpws.me/PHjJ


1/600 US Massachusetts BB59 Funnel Tower (bellow part)! - http://shpws.me/PG92
1/700 US Massachusetts BB59 Funnel Tower (bellow part)! - http://shpws.me/PHjK


1/600 US Massachusetts BB59 Tower above MK51 Platform! - http://shpws.me/PGb8
1/700 US Massachusetts BB59 Tower above MK51 Platform! - http://shpws.me/PHjI


If you need a different size just let me know!

[lgmccauley]

I was finally able to download pictures of my 1/192 scratch built Massachusetts, which I completed in 1988.

Larry

https://imgur.com/a/CVmq4

[gms]

To lgmccauley:

Awesome job!

[youngb]

Hi everyone

Does anybody still have the Yankee modelworks USS South Dakota assembly instructions which they can scan and email me?

I seem to have lost mine and I'm still building the kit (actually its the BWN instructions, but either assembly instructions would suffice.)

regards
Bruce

[Roger Torgeson]

Bruce, I have the South Dakota kit in my stash and can scam and send you the kit instructions. I will send a PM later today with my email address.

Roger

[pascalemod]

Progress on a 1/700 Trumpeter USS South Dakota I am currently working on. Used brass barrels, scratch built blast bags from putty, using small brass chain and Tom's photo etch sheets.

Which fit are you building? Trumpeters ship is post Savo Island right? But reasonably accurate otherwise? Does it need huge work (like Washington)?

[Betelguese90]

Progress on a 1/700 Trumpeter USS South Dakota I am currently working on. Used brass barrels, scratch built blast bags from putty, using small brass chain and Tom's photo etch sheets.

Which fit are you building? Trumpeters ship is post Savo Island right? But reasonably accurate otherwise? Does it need huge work (like Washington)?

Correct, the kit is actually of the South Dakota in her final layout in 1945. I predated mine to just before that but after Savo Island. I pulled this from my review of the kit. Nothing catastrophic, but some big errors that can be fixed with scratch work.

So for accuracy on the overall model: there are actually several insistence that scratchbuilding and modification was needed to be accurate to the true South Dakota.
1. It is missing the forward 20mm location behind the 40mm Bofors at the bow of the model.
2. The kit is completely missing the yardarms so had to scratch build them.
3. The area around the officer quarters (where the missing 5" would be located) actually is not accurate in the sense that the 40mm 'overhang' is to low and should be a level higher.
5. A wall should be just behind the 20mm which was the officer quarters rather then it being empty space.
6. Missing platform extending out from the director structure towards the aft mast.
7. Spot light overhang is to high and needs to be lowered slightly.
8. 40mm director platform on the aft main battery director structure is to large and needs to be shortened

[Betelguese90]

Some images of the completed build

[Atma]

The Trumpeter 1/700 South Dakota kit is strange. I dont know what exact date the kit represent but I guess mid 1944 and onwards.
Did USS South Dakota had 4 (like the Trumpeter kit is depicted)or 6 40mm directors in late 1944 around the funnels near the MK 37 directors. ? In some close up pictures of early and mid 1945 it has 6 tubs instead of 4 like the Trumpeter kit(3 on each side) with 40mm directors, did she receive an upgrade sometime late 1944 early 1945 ? Thanks in advance.

Betelguese90: Great build !

[Betelguese90]

The Trumpeter 1/700 South Dakota kit is strange. I dont know what exact date the kit represent but I guess mid 1944 and onwards.
Did USS South Dakota had 4 (like the Trumpeter kit is depicted)or 6 40mm directors in late 1944 around the funnels near the MK 37 directors. ? In some close up pictures of early and mid 1945 it has 6 tubs instead of 4 like the Trumpeter kit(3 on each side) with 40mm directors, did she receive an upgrade sometime late 1944 early 1945 ? Thanks in advance.

Betelguese90: Great build !

The Trumpeter kit is supposed to represent the South Dakota in her last refit in 1945. She had a refit in August 1943. than another in August 1944 following the damage she received at Guam in July 1944 than her final refit in late 1945. But to answer your question, it's an inaccuracy with the model. There were 3 on either side just below the MK 37 directors.

[garyrunnalls]

Hey Betelguese it's Gary (I sent you BB-44 parts) nice build BTW, anyways I have many parts you can have incl; barrels with blastbags , brass masts that I taper myself, all kinds of stuff if you need? Let me know.I've made blastbags with putty in the past and they were ok but I've had better results with the plastic bags drilled out to fit the brass barrels. You are close so if ya do need something all free and I'll put in the mail. Best to ya, Gary Runnalls

[ssn705]

Hey all,
Normally a submarine modeler, but I want to build USS INDIANA (BB-58) in 1/350. Which trumpeter kit is best to start with for a late war fit for INDIANA?

Thanks,

Dave