Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[chuck]

Trumoeter's 1/200 Iowa at least got the float plane right, even if they also had the extra level above the chart House.

As originally built, the Iowa seem to have had an extra level above the roof of her chart House, with an open bridge situated behind the conning tower and above that level. Note the height of the exposed cylindrical support beneath the mk-37 director.

Based on the photo above, that extra level was completely removed and the top of the superstructure cut back down to the level of the roof of the chart House, and a new serach light added in its place when the ship were commissioned. At this point, she seems to have no open bridge above her chart House. I believe the open bridge was later added back when the square enclosed bridge built around her conning tower.

[James M]

Here is a data base in regards to the Iowa and what she looked like at specific time frames.
There is a lot of useful information about a WWII Iowa

viewtopic.php?f=74&t=158893

James

[bigjimslade]

Trumoeter's 1/200 Iowa at least got the float plane right, even if they also had the extra level above the chart House.

As originally built, the Iowa seem to have had an extra level above the roof of her chart House, with an open bridge situated behind the conning tower and above that level. Note the height of the exposed cylindrical support beneath the mk-37 director.

Based on the photo above, that extra level was completely removed and the top of the superstructure cut back down to the level of the roof of the chart House, and a new serach light added in its place when the ship were commissioned. At this point, she seems to have no open bridge above her chart House. I believe the open bridge was later added back when the square enclosed bridge built around her conning tower.

Originally the O5 level was pretty much as it is now. There was an elevated searchlight platform in front of the MK37 director.

At some intermediate point in the war, the O5 level was cut back so that in this area it only covered the chart house. The 40mm tubs on front corners are at a level 2 feet above the O5 level. This level was extended with a bulwark to a point between the MK37 director and the conning tower.

The combination of the bulwark and the 2 feet of deck elevation might make it look like there was a new level.

When the enclosed bridge was added, the O5 deck was extended to where it is now (and close to where it was before). Then there were two steep steps to do up to the level of the 40mm guns.

[W.H.min]

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.

That is really funny, my bro. One of my pictures shows that USS Iowa got her camouflage and you insist they are all of her in early 1943.

[Atma]

"The picture especially the ones with the camouflage is ealry 1944."
?? W.H.min ??

[lgmccauley]

Finally finished the Missouri, in 1/192 scale, as she entered Tokyo Bay in 1945.
This thread was extremely helpful with advice and information. Thanks to everyone.

Larry

https://imgur.com/a/URRhM

[bigjimslade]

Finally finished the Missouri, in 1/192 scale, as she entered Tokyo Bay in 1945.
This thread was extremely helpful with advice and information. Thanks to everyone.

https://imgur.com/a/URRhM

What did you do for the hull?

[lgmccauley]

The hull was built up of various thicknesses of basswood glued together. The centers of all but the top and bottom boards were cut out to relieve any stress on the wood and also to make it lighter in weight. After shaping, the hull was sanded and various coats of shellac were applied, until I got the final finish I wanted. It was then primed and painted.

[bigjimslade]

The hull was built up of various thicknesses of basswood glued together. The centers of all but the top and bottom boards were cut out to relieve any stress on the wood and also to make it lighter in weight. After shaping, the hull was sanded and various coats of shellac were applied, until I got the final finish I wanted. It was then primed and painted.

What did you do to create the top of the shear strake extending above the deck.

[lgmccauley]

I glued on a 1/8 strip of .005 styrene, feathered edge with Bondo filler and sanded smooth. I then glued .0010 piano wire along the top edge of the styrene. I had to use copper wire around the bow as the radius was too small for the piano wire.
In retrospect I would have used a much wider strip of styrene to give it a better physical bond.

Larry

[chuck]

What were the colors of the fire hose, fire main risers and life rings on the Missouri during WWII?

I got one answer suggesting they hose and risers were of back ground color. So if the ship�s were in a disruptive camo job, the hose and risers would be different colors depending on where they are?

What about the life rings? Were they white? Orange? Red? Painting the, haze gray would kinda defeat their purpose.

Can anyone confirm or site a source?

[BB62vet]

Chuck,

After perusing my WWII IOWA class, FLETCHER class, and various cruiser photos I can only say (without further research) that from a logical standpoint the fire hoses were NOT painted to match any particular background but were left natural - in this case a dirty white or light gray canvas color - and, in some cases, a slight yellowish tan color. I think this was the material of the hose itself, from whatever manufacturer the shipyard obtained these items. I've also noticed that the black rubber hoses on reels were NOT painted, but in fact BLACK. So, my premise being that these materials were not painted but left natural to ensure their proper function, etc. I can only cite one b/w photo that shows a bulkhead mtd. hose in the rack and it is not the same shade as it's background.

Hope this helps,

Hank

[chuck]

Thanks, Hank.

I thought the fire holes would be left in natural color. My hunch is the fire hose would be made from tough fabric like canvas, so it would be a tan or hemp color, or bleached white.

[BB62vet]

Chuck,

Thanks - just trying to provide a "logical" guess to your question. See my last post (Sun. a.m.) in Main Forum.

Hank

[bigjimslade]

The hull was built up of various thicknesses of basswood glued together. The centers of all but the top and bottom boards were cut out to relieve any stress on the wood and also to make it lighter in weight. After shaping, the hull was sanded and various coats of shellac were applied, until I got the final finish I wanted. It was then primed and painted.

How did you carve something so large?

[lgmccauley]

How did you carve something so large?[/quote]

After I glued up all the boards, I marked the hull off following Floating Drydocks" hull and half breadth plan, which shows the curvature of the hull every 2". I made templates for each of the half breadth stations and used these to shape the hull, starting at the bow on one side and then the other. I just worked my way down the hull until I had a completed carved hull. I mostly used a curved chisel and a spoke shave to do the shaping, followed up with various grades of sandpaper. All in all it took me about two weeks, working about 5 hours a day to complete. Yes I am retired, otherwise it would have been a much longer process.

Larry.

[pengbuzz]

I did this one as a conversion of a "Revellogram" BB-63, about the time of the Gulf War:





I added the Tomahawk launchers and fantail landing area on the ship; still need to make all the masts, antennae and whatnot out of stretched sprue. The water is simply styrofoam cut into a couple of sheets and overlaid with crinkled tinfoil that's been painted. The water was then finished off with realistic water and it's sister product for making whitecaps.

I really need to finish this one...been sitting around a bit.

[bigjimslade]

Does anyone have a reference that tells where the PHYSICAL frame locations are on the Iowas?

Hint: It's not every four feet throughout.

[marinR00]

Still rough... but coming along nicely. So many 20mm's..... !!

[bigjimslade]

Still rough... but coming along nicely. So many 20mm's..... !!

What kit is that?