I'm currently trying to correct the Italeri 1/720 Nimitz class islands. I've done a decent job on the Reagan and Bush, and now trying on CVN-70 to 75. Mostly hacking on the spare islands in those kits (I have 4 of them) so if I screw up nothing is lost.
I have been taking pics as I go and will upload them here, but as I work at the speed of a glacier I thought it better to have it done before I post.
For simplicity's sake I'm planning on doing all the kits I have in as-built or as-commissioned fits, you can go mad trying to keep up with all the changes. I may still yet need to buy another Reagan/Bush kit or two for all the bits I need, at least they are cheap here. I certainly need at least one more hull anyway.
So, my question.....
(and bear in mind I'm ignoring the post RCOH refits on all the ships for my purposes!)
I'm trying hard- and failing- to find a clear photo of the area at the very aft of the upper deck on the island for each ship; on Nimitz, Ike and Vinson this was a open area, some of the others have what looks like a "canopy" or "roof" added with still open sides, later still it looks a completely enclosed area. It has been changed over the years, on all ships, but some were built with it open, some with it covered, some with it closed.
This photo on Navsource shows best the area I'm on about, the deck area between the 2 flag bags (you can zoom in)
http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/027097.jpgand here the same area is covered over and has 2 satcom domes on it,
http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/027021.jpgI need a clear pic showing the shape and size, for each from 71-75, I can't even tell if CVN-71 had an open or covered area there when built. I've tried the usual suspects, Navsource, navysite.de, seaforces etc. I've even spent hours trawling through the cruisebooks that are on navysite. And navy.mil is no help, as there are literally hundreds of thousands of pics there, but most are too recent...
Anyone got any ideas?