Calling all USS Wasp CV-7 fans

[Charybdis]

I've started a video pictorial history of WASP on YouTube. Would appriecate any feedback.

E01: Design
E02: Construction Part 1
E03: Construction Part 2
E04: Launch
E05: Builder's Trials

[Vlad]

What was Wasp's light AA when she went over to help the Brits? All 20mm in the deck-edge galleries already, or still mixed with .50 cals?

[Dick J]

The Paul Allen photos show at least one .50 in place when sunk, so there is a high probability that more were still in place when she was supporting the British.

[Charybdis]

I remember reading somwhere the .50 Cals that were replaced were kept onboard and could used in various places on the ship.

[Vlad]

So a bit like Yorktown then... a mix of both in random place, i.e. a mess

Fortunately for me, on Aoshima's kit the parts that I assume are meant to be .50 cals look almost identical to the parts that I assume are meant to be 20mm, just a little bit smaller. So I've decided to just follow the instructions as it near enough makes no difference.

[Charybdis]

Here's a couple for Rick E Davis, that he might not have

Posted on Facebook by John Sheridan, WASP in Jan 1942 leaving Norfolk Navy Yard. Seem to be part of a series of shots taken at this time.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fltcqg6mdudbh ... b.jpg?dl=0

A rare angle of the port quarter while at anchor in President Roads, Boston, MA, May/June 1940.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7wb6oyxjufodl ... 1.jpg?dl=0

Another update on WASP CV-7 is the number KIA on Sept 15th, 1942. Originally recorded as 193 officers and men and one war correspondent (Jack Singer). The latest research by Robert Cressman puts the figure at 176 killed from 2,247 on board. The link to the article is below.

https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/l ... k0NU8rx2Vg

Through my own research of WASP, I've managed to identify this man (after 78 years...) from the many photos I have of the ship. It has been confirmed by his family members who are very pleased to have a photo of him on board.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/snnm6ot28hrcp ... Y.jpg?dl=0

[William]

I have always found the Wasp to be an attractive ship. I was glad when Aoshima released their three kits of the ship, but was very disappointed by the fact that it is a waterline model. Interestingly, the kit containing the I-19 includes a full hull option for the submarine but not the carrier. I hate waterline models, so I will have to scratch build a lower hull for her. Does anyone know of any plans showing the keel and frames?

Thanks!

[taskforce48]

In 1/700, probably easy to use her booklet of general plans on HNSA to laminate the underwater decks. Otherwise Profile Morskie has a 1/700(careful, the Aoshima kit is closer to 1/720) plans available in PDF.

Matt

[William]

Matt and Dave,

Thanks! It looks easy enough.

Bill

[IP2SWA]

I'll try to post the AAR. Admin and Medical Enclosures list the entire crew, KIA, MIA, WIA and their wounds. They're big attachments from Fold3 and NARA. Rabbit whole reading always seems to put these things in a different light.
July 1942 Anti Aircraft Summary specifically mentions improvements in light AA battery with the replacement of .50 with 20mm but states many CVs kept many of their .50 because they just couldn't part with them. I'll see if I can find the link.

[Charybdis]

I'll try to post the AAR. Admin and Medical Enclosures list the entire crew, KIA, MIA, WIA and their wounds. They're big attachments from Fold3 and NARA. Rabbit whole reading always seems to put these things in a different light.

Did you manage to send these? Perhaps you can share in a dropbox link or something?

I've attached a great photo of WASP's .50 cal battery forward of the island on the stb side. This is another from John Sheridan's collection.
You can see x 4 .50 cal mounts with non skid matting. Outrigger extended (showing a bracket for the tail wheel?). Also the crash barrier has been raised and you can see, what I think would be the control station just below it with a multitude of levers.



https://www.dropbox.com/s/3rhj49dibqlf6 ... 0.jpg?dl=0

[Slobo]

Anybody have a good detail shot of the sern, ideally during construction or early pre-war service? Like the one of the Hornet?

[Charybdis]

Stern shots of this ship are very rare. This is the best I have.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wkorlcc6aki0 ... 2.jpg?dl=0

[Charybdis]

Does anyone have reliable figures for these missing dimensions. Going by builder's plans seems to be the most accurate as I get al kinds of different figures from different sources.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dmbmy8mlad0cc ... n.jpg?dl=0

[Charybdis]

Just received my WASP CV-7 Aoshima kit in the post. I'm a little disappointed. I know it's underscaled but they've also screwed up the funnel shape. Has anyone altered this?


https://www.dropbox.com/s/d5uw8c8vrlslh ... 4.JPG?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/nyze6hx0nzbi5 ... l.jpg?dl=0

[Captain Morgan]

Just received my WASP CV-7 Aoshima kit in the post. I'm a little disappointed. I know it's underscaled but they've also screwed up the funnel shape. Has anyone altered this?


https://www.dropbox.com/s/d5uw8c8vrlslh ... 4.JPG?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/nyze6hx0nzbi5 ... l.jpg?dl=0

I haven�t built the Aoshima Wasp though I have one on my bench for a build.
My Corsair Armada Wasp has the same shape. I just used a jewelers file and sanding stick to get to the correct shape. You may need putty on the Aoshima Wasp since the plastic may be to thin to do it without building it up afterwards.

[Mike C]

Yes, you can blame me for the incorrect shape of the funnel.

I became convinced while making the pattern that the available photos strongly suggested the angle on the rear and that the plans had somehow overlooked the mistake. I think I mistook the offset when stacking the superstructure deck plans and evidently put the angle one deck too high. Dave Baker tried to correct me, but I was too stubborn to listen at the time.

I may have been influenced by the lame look of the stovepipe funnel, too. I would have remained convinced if they hadn't found her. At any rate, it's not difficult to correct on my resin kit. It does indicate that Aoshima was influenced by my kit, however.

[Captain Morgan]

Don�t be too hard on yourself Mike, I had printed Wasp plans on the plotter in my office It was quite large and easy to see at that size. I still think it was one of the best resin kits I�ve built and it�s taken me years to have an accurate Yorktown and Lexington on the building ways with help from Steve at Model Monkey.

[Charybdis]

Thanks for posting, Mike. Yes, it's not your fault and it's an easy mistake to make. Some photos really do give that impression. The Profile Morsky book spelled it out for me. It's a bit sloppy from Aoshima, in my opinion. When you put in the amount of effort needed create a nice little kit like this, you may as well do it right. The SBD's have folding wings, the F4F-4's do not??

I also have Tamiya's CV-8 1/700, which is also underscaled so these two should go nicely together (matching colors!).

[Mike C]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I try to keep in mind that all these kits are someone's favorite ship, so I try to be as accurate as available references will allow.