Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[Builder 2010]

Here's one I took five years ago.

Boy... the picture size limitation had me going back and editing 4 times before I got it right.

[InchHigh]

Boy... the picture size limitation had me going back and editing 4 times before I got it right.

+1 FWIW. Another user who shares your frustration.

[chuck]

Does anyone have clear picture showing the port side of aft end of the Missouri's superstructure during 1945? I want to verify the configuration of drain pipes, cable conduits and the perforated reinforcing beams around the aft air defence platform, and whether there was indeed a ladder on both sides from superstructure level 2 to level 3 just ahead of the aft air defence platform.

[BB62vet]

Chuck,

See if this is what you're looking for:

Hope that helps!

[bigjimslade]

Currently, the NJ has a large antenna platform forward the aft stack. The platform has a large extension with a semicircular end that goes past the phalanx platform below.

There is nothing on that platform. Was anything there?

When I look at reference photos of the ship in service, I have found none with this extension. There is just the single bar extending across the ship. Does anyone know the story of this platform?

[Timmy C]

Jim, here's a photo of a dome in that position from 1989: http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/0162009.jpg

You'll find better photos of it from her sisters, especially Wisconsin and Missouri as they served for several years longer with it. As I recall, it's the control and data antenna for the Pioneer drone.

[BB62vet]

Jim,

Here is a stbd. side elevation view but it is w/o equipment, just the platform & supports:

This antenna platform was an addition, sometime in the mid-late '80s. Here is perhaps a better shot showing the entire after stack yardarm with nav. points, as well:

That's about all I can provide you at this time.

Hank

[bigjimslade]

This is what is puzzling me. Here is a 1984 picture and it does not have that platform; just the arms.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/0162013.jpg

The earliest pictures I have found with that platform are of the decommissioning. Even then, nothing was on the platform.

[Timmy C]

What's puzzling, Jim? She had the dome on that platform near the end of her service, and had it removed prior to decommissioning as with her sisters.

Jim, here's a photo of a dome in that position from 1989: http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/0162009.jpg

You'll find better photos of it from her sisters, especially Wisconsin and Missouri as they served for several years longer with it. As I recall, it's the control and data antenna for the Pioneer drone.

[Guest]

What's puzzling, Jim? She had the dome on that platform near the end of her service, and had it removed prior to decommissioning as with her sisters.

Jim, here's a photo of a dome in that position from 1989: http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/0162009.jpg

You'll find better photos of it from her sisters, especially Wisconsin and Missouri as they served for several years longer with it. As I recall, it's the control and data antenna for the Pioneer drone.

That's the first picture I have seen with the dome in place on the NJ.

[bigjimslade]

I am looking for the dimensions of the vents at the forward part of the O1 level. They are listed on the plans as bucket vents but they look like low mushroom vents.

[BB62vet]

Jim,

I will see if they are shown in TFDs MISSIOURI Plan Book drawings and email you a .pdf of the details in the morning (Thurs.)

And, YES - they are Mushroom Vents.

Hank

[chuck]

Chuck,

See if this is what you're looking for:

BB63 Port Side 1945.jpg

Hope that helps!

Thanks. That helps.

It looks to me like the steam pipe leading to the whistle does have a flat run between the funnel and the foremast. But these it is painted deck blue and hard to see.

[bigjimslade]

Does anyone have measurements for the MK-137 SRBOC launchers?

I am also looking for reference photos of the O3 level aft of the forward stack, in particular the ladder up to the tomahawk platform.

[W.H.min]

I've given the VeryFire guys a shout with a link to this page of the thread. The searchlight can be as simple as a particular piece of the 3D model not selected for the render.

UPDATE: the "missing" searchlight is indeed in the kit.

Thats good news indeed !

However, according to some pictures from Navsource, USS Iowa didn't have any searchlight on the top of its bridge from November 1943 to 1945.

[Atma]

However, according to some pictures from Navsource, USS Iowa didn't have any searchlight on the top of its bridge from November 1943 to 1945.

Dont trust dates on this site. The pictures you have posted are all early 1943. At least the ones with no searchlight is all before 28 March 1943.She was not fully commissioned when she lucked the searchlight. And this alone is very curious to choose as a time frame for a 100+ Euro model.

If they wanted to portray an early 1943 USS Iowa as commissioned she must look like this:

the second is a 3 months later.

Notice the difference on number #2 turret and the conning tower. Missing Searchlight from Very Fire kit is still there. The picture especially the ones with the camouflage is ealry 1944. The close one on the bridge is before march 1943.

[chuck]

However, according to some pictures from Navsource, USS Iowa didn't have any searchlight on the top of its bridge from November 1943 to 1945.

Dont trust dates on this site. The pictures you have posted are all early 1943. At least the ones with no searchlight is all before 28 March 1943.She was not fully commissioned when she lucked the searchlight. And this alone is very curious to choose as a time frame for a 100+ Euro model.

If they wanted to portray an early 1943 USS Iowa as commissioned she must look like this:

the second is a 3 months later.

Notice the difference on number #2 turret and the conning tower. Missing Searchlight from Very Fire kit is still there. The picture especially the ones with the camouflage is ealry 1944. The close one on the bridge is before march 1943.

So the open bridge above the chart room was completely eliminated by July 1943?

[Atma]

Not sure, but notice the roof is from canvas(?) not yet solid metal. It had to be retractable, notice the early 1944 dont have the roof.

[Timmy C]

If they wanted to portray an early 1943 USS Iowa as commissioned

Why do you think they want that? The boxart with dazzle camo clearly indicates they're more interested in a later period.

[Atma]

Im not sure what period Very Fire want the USS Iowa, notice it has 1943 items and 1945 sea planes.