Calling all "Big 5" Tennessee-class & Colorado-class fans

[Dan K]

Ok, here�s a question for the experts. As far as I can tell, the Big Five received external ventilator trunks for their main turrets as part of their final refits before Pearl Harbor. Excepting turret number three, due to the arrangement of the catapult fittings atop the turret.

However, my examination of California photos doesn�t seem to show these fitting for the Pearl Harbor timeframe, though sister Tennessee clearly has them. Am I wrong, or is it possible that California never received this aspect of the upgrade?

[ArizonaBB39]

So I was looking through the thread and noticed this on the side of the Tennessee's main mast gun tub, is that an ammo locker?

[ArizonaBB39]

Another question, model related this time, was there ever a Photo Etch detail set made for the Trumpeter 1/700 1941 Tennessee or California? I can't seem to find any.

[Guest]

Tom's Modelworks #720 is a generic set for the Big FIVE.

Dan K

[ArizonaBB39]

I wasn't sure which Big 5 thread to post this in, But since it is post Dec 7th, I figured here would be best. I apologize if this has been discussed already.

There are several videos on YouTube of salvage operations at Pearl Harbor. I was curious what those more knowledgeable about film and color could tell me about this snippet of USS California preparing to leave for the main land.

To me it looks like she has mostly been repainted, but maybe the funnels and upper super structure/bridge decks weren't. The freshly painted parts of the ship look VERY blue. To my untrained eye the colors look close to actual based on the skin tones and uniform colors, but I have no film experience to base this off of. I've read of things like color shifting and such, but don't fully understand them.

My question is how possible is it they used 5S to paint the hull/turrets/gun deck and left the funnels and bridge/upper super structure decks the color they were? (To me the non-freshly painted parts look too blue to be 5D, but the film could be blue shifted) As it looks like she still is in a semi-Ms1 scheme here.

https://youtu.be/tyEH_IfQgkg

*edit, I thought I originally posted this in the rebuilt big 5thread*

[Jeff Sharp]

Here is a rare look down into the gun tubs on the forward fighting top of USS West Virginia. It's interesting to see how the fighting top was cutout to accommodate access to the gun tubs.

[Dan K]

Does anyone know if this lower signal compartment existed, or was added to California and Tennessee by 1941? I think not, but the photo record is a bit indistinct. Had to use the FS graphic to illustrate.

[ArizonaBB39]

Here is a rare look down into the gun tubs on the forward fighting top of USS West Virginia. It's interesting to see how the fighting top was cutout to accommodate access to the gun tubs.

Thanks for sharing Jeff, I'm guessing the gun tubs were removed to install the radar?

*edit* I was also just thinking about the Colorado, pictures of her in this time period are pretty sparse (non-existent? That I can find at least). Is there any documentation to show if she retained the tubs or was having them removed at this time? I know your model (Jeff's) has the tubs and range clocks in MS1/5. I'll probably go that way with mine since I trust your research and it's something different.

[Jeff Sharp]

Hi Abram,
The forward fighting top gun tubs and range clocks on Colorado were removed when she entered PSNY drydock for her major overhaul in Sept. �41.

[Dan K]

"Bump" on my last question.

I've found a 1937 photo of California with what looks like lockers of some sort back there, but this not the same platform as with the Colorados. It's also not 1941.

[MartinJQuinn]

Here's a shot of WeeVee, post-attack. There certainly looks like there is "something" there. You can see someone standing on what appears to be a platform even with the main deck.

All the shots I have of CA this day don't really show this area.

[MartinJQuinn]

Here is a better photo of that area on WeeVee.

[Dan K]

Thx so much, Martin. WeeVee isn't really the question, as her 1941 plans show that platform as seen in the Five Star photo. I'm assuming that MD and CO have that as well. It's CA, and TN, that I'm trying to discern.

[Jeff Sharp]

The first 2 shots Martin posted are of California not West Virginia.

[MartinJQuinn]

The first 2 shots Martin posted are of California not West Virginia.

Thanks Jeff - my bad. I missed the fact there wasn't a big a$$ ship behind her.

[Dan K]

Martin's 2nd posting is typical of all the abeam shots of CA around this time - the area in question is blocked by a service craft.

So, I was ready to accept a bunch of lockers around the base of the bulkhead on CA until I went back to the Doyle book on California (great reference book, btw) one more time to look at an overhead taken of her while under repair at Pearl Harbor in July, 1942. I scanned and enlarged the area in question.

To me, it sure looks like that compartment really was added at some point. The shape matches the plan (and part D20 on the 1/700 kit). I've cropped and rotated a section of the plan to match the angle. Your opinions sought.


Good thing I promised myself not to be obsessive over this.

[ArizonaBB39]

Since it's looking like all three Colorados and California had it would Tennessee have also had this structure then?

[MartinJQuinn]

Since it's looking like all three Colorados and California had it would Tennessee have also had this structure then?

Looking at photos, most likely

[taskforce48]

Dan,

Scoured my image collections, here is the best I could come up with-


Slightly better quality crop from original used in Doyle book


Here is the California in 1940


Close up crop of area in question

Still hard to say, there are a couple of movies of her in Dry dock looking right at what we are looking for however equipment blocks the view.I would imagine that unless a Navy blueprint from that era comes to light, you won't be wrong in adding it.

HTH
Matt

[MartinJQuinn]

In your last photo, there is a ladder coming up from to the boat deck that cinches it for me. It looks like it terminates on a platform even with the deck below.