Calling all Belknap-class (DLG-26/CG-26) fans

[laxet]

I was stationed aboard USS Sterett CG-31 in the mid to late '70s. I am now trying to build an Iron Shipwright 1/350 Horne, converting to Sterett. I am wondering if anybody else has built this ship (not necessarily the Iron Shipwright one). I don't seem to be able to collect enough references to build this ship completely from any particular era. Either antenna platform prints are not available, or yardarm prints, or superstructure changes. I don't seem to be able to collect a whole set for a particular time. And Belknap or Horne prints (of which I have both) are different enough as to be next to useless.

I would love talking to anybody that has built one of these ships.


Dale G Elhardt

[Navy2000]

Here is a link to a Face Book page that you will have to join the group, and they may be able to help you.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/148167722581664

This link for all ships with the name Sterett.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/15927790465

I hope that one of these can help. Like I said you will need to join both groups then ask your question for photos and time frame you are looking for.

Duane

[laxet]

Thanks. Already a member of both.

[Admhawk]

Here's a walkaround of Horne in 1985. Might help.

http://www.steelnavy.com/USSHorneCG30PhilToy.htm

[laxet]

Thanks for this link. It has some useful pictures.


[quote="Admhawk"]Here's a walkaround of Horne in 1985. Might help.

[Rick_H]

laxet, You should be talking about the pre-ciws/harpoon period, right? I was on Jouett in 80-82, during and after the yard period that switched everything around.

During that period, the single-enders should be nearly identical, except for the EW gear, which seemed to vary from ship to ship, from year to year.

Rick

[laxet]

Rick,

I was aboard from '76 - '80. I got out while in the yard. As best as I can determine, the following are correct:

CIWS installed 1978
SLQ-32 installed 1979
SPS-40 & 49 installed 1991

It seems that this is the period that everything started changing.

[Rick_H]

On Jouett, the upgrade was done as a single package.
The SPS-49 replaced the -40 in the 1980-81 baseline overhaul. At that same time the SLQ-32 was installed, replacing the WLR-1 suite. The SPS-48 was updated from 48C to 48D level, or something like that. And the CIWS and Harpoon were installed, replacing the 3"50cal guns. Also, Super RBOC replaced the earlier system, which I think was some sort of chaff delivered by a Zuni missile system. I started out as EW Officer in 1980, but didn't learn the details of the systems that were removed in 1980. I saw the crane take the parts off the ship. it looked like skinny torpedo tubes, but was for chaff.

That 1980-81 overhaul (which also upgraded missiles to SM-2 ER level and upgraded the fire control computer system), pretty much replaced every element of the combat systems onboard. I don't think the 5" gun had any modernization. I think the SQS-26 sonar was upgraded with a rubber window. This came to a bad situation in 1982 when the ship was steaming too fast into heavy seas and the rubber window failed, resulting in a short yard period in WestPac. Oops.

Rick

[SailorBill]

Am planning to backdate the ISW 1/350 Belknap class kit to original 1960s-early 70s
layout. Does anyone have the JAG 1/700 Belknap class kit instructions? There could
be some useful information.

Also, does anyone have scale plans or blueprints for the Belknap class, for that
time frame? This is when they had the 3"/50 guns and the mid-section was in
the original design form.

Thanks in advance.