APA project

[Fliger747]

This particular project has a rather long history. Some 55 years ago I built an AKA using plans out of a modelers magazine for a C3 Cargo Hull. This sat in my parents attic for at least 40 years, and became well seasoned. I cut the frames from 1/16" plywood with my Dremel scroll saw I had at the time and planked with balsa strip. In retrospect the hull contours were quite good, but of course I had no recollection as to what the scale was. Some work with calipers and proper dimensions arrived at exactly 1:120. The only issue was the hull was too short? The reasons for that I cannot guess, but as the bow and stern were properly proportioned, a 7" plug in the middle solved the problem. It was a bit of a commitment when I turned on the band saw to cut the ship in half!

In the mean time I have been making what seems like thousands of parts for the upper works, from the armament, 40 mm quad, 4 40 mm twins and 8 20 mm twins and an open mount 5"38. I made 15 36' LCVP's, 2 50' LCM's, 16 cargo winches and on and on.

There are several General plans and other information available on the net which I have used as well as stills I extracted from the great 1950's movie "Away All Boats".

So far the idea has been used to use no commercially available parts. For this and the patience it sometimes requires, I have Song as an inspiration. This has been continued to his example of hand made Anchor Chain and Anchors. Carving two pretty identical Anchors is a bit of a challenge, but worked out better than I would have hoped. Ages ago (twenty years?) I had made a two piece mold for the Anchors, but it disappeared.

An ongoing obstacle is production of a suitable brass 4 bladed prop.

[Fliger747]

This is what the topside looks like at the moment. The stubs sticking up support brass King Posts which slip over them.

[Fliger747]

This has been a top down build... I started with the uppermost superstructure and than have been building down from there. The bulkheads are basswood, decks plexiglass, the stack a piece of copper plumbing pipe. I turned the stack top from two pieces of plexiglass, the stack opening is from a brass cartridge shell section cut off. The Search Lights are turned from Aluminum rod with a plastic lens punched from clear plastic. The rangefinder tower is also copper plumbing pipe. Rails are brass and steel wire.

[DrPR]

Nice project!

I will be especially interested when you start working on the propeller. I need to make four of them.

Phil

[Song Jung Gun]

Hi,Tom!
It's very ineresting project.
I'll see your update.
Song.

[Neptune]

Another great project. I love the level of detailing so far. Definately a special subject. Looking forward for more!

[Fliger747]

Photos always make everything look worse!

This is the Aft Deckhouse, 40 mm's, directors and the as yet unpainted 5" 38.

Bulkheads, Basswood. Deck and bulwarks plastic and Strathmore. Barrels wood.

[BB62vet]

Tom,

This is really turning out nice! Your hand crafted parts look fine - shows what can be done when you put your mind & hands to the task!!!

Will be following this as it progresses!

Hank

[DrPR]

Fliger,

Do you have accurate dimensioned drawings of the 5"/38 gun?

I have a bunch of photos of the 5"/38s (and a few of the 6"/47s) and some drawings and diagrams from technical manuals (OPs), but I have never found dimensioned drawings.

Phil

[Fliger747]

The dimensioned drawings I found were in the NHSA resources "Catalog of Mounts and Turrets". Not all that detailed, but have all the major dimensions for the plethora of individual mounts.

[DrPR]

Thanks. I have all of those drawings. They have only the basic dimensions of the guns. I am looking for blueprints for the guns themselves.

Using the basic dimensions it is possible to guestimate the dimensions for some of the parts from pictures and drawings in the ordnance Publications for the mounts and guns. Also, I have visited ships that have the guns and gave taken photos and some more detailed dimensions. But it is not enough to make an accurate model.

Phil

[Fliger747]

Ah the delights of computer modeling! Good luck in your search!

The Bridge and air defense/signaling level together.

Little bit of exposed red lead?

[Fliger747]

The ship has a plethora of inclined leaders of various types.

This is one, constructed of Strathmore Paper and Steel wire.

[Dan K]

An ongoing obstacle is production of a suitable brass 4 bladed prop.

Contact Keith Bender, who is a member of this board. He can probably help you out.

[Fliger747]

Thanks! My object is to use no ready made parts in the ship. This includes Anchor Chain, my first try uses the "Song" method except with plastic as even Basswood seems to splinter too much.

[Dan K]

Keith's a machinist, who specializes in custom -made brass props.

[Fliger747]

Indeed, they are beautiful!

[Fliger747]

About 1 3/4" with 1/8" shaft. It's display only though it was motorized when I originally built it. I have seen some illustrations for the fixtures for brazing. I've already turned a couple of "experimental" hubs on my lathe. For me half the fun is figuring out how to make all this stuff!

[Fliger747]

Fortunately there are only two of these. They rest above the #5 hatch, aft.

[BB62vet]

Tom,

Your deckhouse & fittings as well as the boats are really looking good! Your ability to scratchbuild everything is a real achievement. The perfect past time for a cold, winter day!!!

Hank