chuck wrote:
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.