Calling all Essex-class (Cold War configuration) fans

[Doc]

Here are the two actual photos of Oriskany.

Thanks for any suggestions on what would be the best way to do a conversion.

Doc

[Tracy White]

It doesn't look like the Lindberg kit has the widened hull you'd need... appears a PITA either way.

[GaryJ in NC]

ORISKANY was a long-hull variant of the ESSEX class and, as such, starting with a LEXINGTON (CV-16) kit simply will not work. I would usually suggest using one of the post-war Dragon long-hull kits, but Dragon has never been able to get the bow shape, portside hangar doors, and flight deck length correct for a long-hull. This has been very disappointing because the errors have been so severe, and there does not appear to have been any serious effort by Dragon to correct them.

[Dick J]

I'd like to build a straight deck version of the USS Oriskany but at the same scale as my angled deck version. I've aquired the Lindberg USS Yorktown which is the right scale for my needs.

Here's my question:
Do you think it would be easier to convert this model to Oriskany...or convert an angled deck model of the Oriskany to straight deck?

You have a lot of work either way. As was mentioned, the Lindberg kit hull isn't blistered to the proper width. Unfortunately, neither is the Revell Oriskany. I don't think Revell had any idea about what had been done when the half-finished ship was modified under SCB-27A. The hull blister was literally built into the hull structure, with the original side plating at the ends of the blister removed and rerouted around the outside of the blister. This made the side plating continuous from bow to stern. The longitudinal stringers were rebuilt, so the "blister" longitudinals were the actual hull girder. But above the hangar level (which, on an Essex, is all superstructure above that level anyway) the original hangar sides remained. This produced an apparent "inset" for the hangar sides. Revell missed the blister and kept the original WW-II hull width. They then had to narrow the hangar to get the inset. This is why the escalator outboard of the island doesn't line up above and below the flightdeck level, and the island itself has no structural support below the flightdeck level. (Since this is all plastic, the deck is sufficient to hold it up, but this structure would never work on a real ship.)

The Lindberg kit has an issue with the bow, as well. It has the long-hull deck plan with the short-hull profile. The hangar side openings are all wrong, and there is a profound lack of detailing. About all you will have is the flightdeck and the lower levels of the island. Both will need to be improved, but everything else will have to be totally built or rebuilt.

The Revell kit will have the island, but the flightdeck will have to be reshaped, and some type of planking detail added. Then the after elevator will have to be represented on the deck. The hull will need a total rebuilding to widen everything up the the flightdeck level. The enclosed bow will have to be opened and some sort of forecastle deck fabricated. The starboard deck-edge elevator will have to be removed and the 5" sponson constructed in place of it. You will need 5" guns, 3" guns, and the tubs for the 3".

And the list goes on . . . .

[Doc]

Thanks guys for all the detailed information...discouraging though it may be.

Doc

[Mark McKinnis]

Thanks guys for all the detailed information...discouraging though it may be.

Doc

I think that converting the Lindberg model will be easier. I have though that if I did a conversion I would use sheet styrene along the hull to get the widened affect and blend it into the bow and stern. You can use the island from a revell kit to do a 27A Island on the Lindberg flight deck. That will save you some serious blade work on the Lindberg Island. Using parts from the revell kit will make some things easier like the escalator, and some of the flight deck catwalks and gun sponsons. It may not be a perfect representation when you are done, but it will be close, and it should look great next to your SCB-125 "O" . If you do not have the book, "Essex-Class Carriers" by Alan Raven, you should get it. It has a lot of information and some great fold out plans for the various SCB-27A, SCB-27C, and the SCB-125 conversions. These fold outs and the information in the book will explain all of the differences that everyone is talking about.

Hope that helps some. You have me thinking about that conversion as well.

Good Luck,
Mark

[gtb -red]

Great news for all Essex class fans. U.S.S. Ticonderoga CVA-14 angled deck version is on Ships & Co. website.

http://www.lamodellistica.it/DescrArt.a ... uct_id=524

scratch building a 1/350 version this.

[CL40]

Which kit closely resemebles the USS Tarawa (CV-40) in approximately 1954?

My uncle served on her and I'd like to model it and surprise him with it.

Ideally I'd be looking at a 1/700 kit (either plastic or resin) - any ideas?

thanks in advance

M

[Tracy White]

I'm not really a post-war guy, but my guess would be the U.S.S. Princeton CVS-37 kit.

[Mark McKinnis]

Which kit closely resemebles the USS Tarawa (CV-40) in approximately 1954?

My uncle served on her and I'd like to model it and surprise him with it.

Ideally I'd be looking at a 1/700 kit (either plastic or resin) - any ideas?

thanks in advance

M

Definately the DML Princeton kit. I bought a couple to do post war Essex Class Carriers that did not get the SCB mods. DML also provides decals for Princeton,Tarawa, Boxer,Leyte,Valley Forge, and Philippine Sea. It comes with an ASW Airwing so you will have to get some Cybor-Hobby Sup Kits for the Airwing. I am using one to do Tarawa 1948-ish with Bearcats and Corsairs. The instructions describe assembly of the newer single mast. I think that Tarawa still had the tri-pod WWII mast in 1954. The parts are all there for the original mast. If you are not familiar with it, I can mail you some instructions from an earlier model to describe how that goes together.

[CL40]

Thanks! this is great. Realizing that my uncle in now 72 - and well i want to do this soon.

[CL40]

Which kit closely resemebles the USS Tarawa (CV-40) in approximately 1954?

My uncle served on her and I'd like to model it and surprise him with it.

Ideally I'd be looking at a 1/700 kit (either plastic or resin) - any ideas?

thanks in advance

M

Definately the DML Princeton kit. I bought a couple to do post war Essex Class Carriers that did not get the SCB mods. DML also provides decals for Princeton,Tarawa, Boxer,Leyte,Valley Forge, and Philippine Sea. It comes with an ASW Airwing so you will have to get some Cybor-Hobby Sup Kits for the Airwing. I am using one to do Tarawa 1948-ish with Bearcats and Corsairs. The instructions describe assembly of the newer single mast. I think that Tarawa still had the tri-pod WWII mast in 1954. The parts are all there for the original mast. If you are not familiar with it, I can mail you some instructions from an earlier model to describe how that goes together.

Upon further study - my uncle was on the Tarawa when she was a CVS - so the ASW airwing is appropriate - is there anyway I can get additional planes to compliment what comes with the kit?

[Tracy White]

Dragon has a branch of the company called Cyber Hobby that specializes in special editions and extra detail sets... they have some 1/700th aircraft sets that are available. While I didn't see an ASW wing set, I didn't do an exhaustive search, and there is at least a couple of jet era sets that you might be able to get an extra helo out of here and there. I'll see about a full ASW set though.

[CL40]

Dragon has a branch of the company called Cyber Hobby that specializes in special editions and extra detail sets... they have some 1/700th aircraft sets that are available. While I didn't see an ASW wing set, I didn't do an exhaustive search, and there is at least a couple of jet era sets that you might be able to get an extra helo out of here and there. I'll see about a full ASW set though.

It would be greatly appriciated. Any idea where I can find info on proper airwing markings for the tarawa?

[Cliffy B]

Dragon has a branch of the company called Cyber Hobby that specializes in special editions and extra detail sets... they have some 1/700th aircraft sets that are available. While I didn't see an ASW wing set, I didn't do an exhaustive search, and there is at least a couple of jet era sets that you might be able to get an extra helo out of here and there. I'll see about a full ASW set though.

It would be greatly appreciated. Any idea where I can find info on proper airwing markings for the Tarawa?

Looks like they carried the tailcode "SR". Two photos from Terzibaschitsch's CV book of Tarawa in 1955 show that she carried SH-34 helos, S-2's, as well as AD-5W AEW Spads, and AD-5Q ECM Spads. All are in Gull Gray over White with the S-2's in overall Gloss Sea Blue.

She also has plenty of twin 3"/50's at this time so you'll need to find some of them in 1/700 which AFAIK no one makes short of a couple found on Dragon weapons frets (1 per carrier kit).

If you want the photos I'll scan em for you. Let me know.

[CL40]

It would be greatly appreciated. Any idea where I can find info on proper airwing markings for the Tarawa?

Looks like they carried the tailcode "SR". Two photos from Terzibaschitsch's CV book of Tarawa in 1955 show that she carried SH-34 helos, S-2's, as well as AD-5W AEW Spads, and AD-5Q ECM Spads. All are in Gull Gray over White with the S-2's in overall Gloss Sea Blue.

She also has plenty of twin 3"/50's at this time so you'll need to find some of them in 1/700 which AFAIK no one makes short of a couple found on Dragon weapons frets (1 per carrier kit).

If you want the photos I'll scan em for you. Let me know.

Yes if you wouldnt mind - i'd like them scanned

[Cliffy B]

Yes if you wouldn't mind - I'd like them scanned

Shoot me an e-mail man and I'll send em over tonight.

Correct me if I'm wrong: We CAN'T post copyrighted material on this site? IE scans of photos in a book?

[Timmy C]

You may if it falls under "reviewing" purposes.

[Hippy Ed]

You may if it falls under "reviewing" purposes.

[Cliffy B]

Alright here you go man; All the info the book has on the Tarawa in the 1950's. Plus a photo of CVS-39 that someone on here should find useful

Photoshopped 'em a bit to up the contrast and composite them together

If you want them at their full 300dpi resolution message me your e-mail.


150DPI



Hope these help man!