Calling all South Dakota-class (BB-57) fans!

[Dave Hill]

A mount detailed and ready for paint and barrels temp. fitted.
(click image for 360 view)

Dave

[Dave Hill]

A finished mount.
(click for 360 view)

Dave

[pbudzik]

Dave

Those look beautiful. Are you using the kit Mk 37 directors?

Paul

[Dave Hill]

Paul,

Yes...I used the kit directors with GMM PE radars...had a little accident and the director in the photo is the sole survivor...the plastic bases are fine but the PE was totally destroyed!...I don't know what to do about the PE now!

Dave

[Tracy White]

Check with Loren; he may have a spare set for you. He frequently holds on to damaged frets for just such an occasion

[PeteM]

Were the cranes and catapults the same on the North Carolina and South Dakota classes? I just got the Trump Alabama and have the big Lion Roar set for the North Carolina (the kit is awful and I have given up on it - it is now being parted out) and was wondering if I could use it on the 'Bama so I didn't have to go out and get PE for it.

[Tracy White]

I would imagine so, there might be minor differences though.

[Dave Hill]

Were the cranes and catapults the same on the North Carolina and South Dakota classes?

Pete,

I used the Lion Roar PE set for my North Carolina...you should be able to use the following parts for the SoDak class.

...Catapults
...Fire control and Air search radars
...Brass 16" and 5" barrels
...Brass props
...Aircraft crane ( boat cranes are totaly different on SoDaks)
...PE AA guns
...plus some other detail parts

You might be able to use some railings, but the railings in the Lion Roar kit are pe-measured for fit on a North Carolina class ship though!

Good Luck!

Dave

[PeteM]

Were the cranes and catapults the same on the North Carolina and South Dakota classes?

Pete,

I used the Lion Roar PE set for my North Carolina...you should be able to use the following parts for the SoDak class.

...Catapults
...Fire control and Air search radars
...Brass 16" and 5" barrels
...Brass props
...Aircraft crane ( boat cranes are totaly different on SoDaks)
...PE AA guns
...plus some other detail parts

You might be able to use some railings, but the railings in the Lion Roar kit are pe-measured for fit on a North Carolina class ship though!

Good Luck!

Dave

Thanks guys. Dave, after looking at your list my AMS is starting to kick in. It looks like I'll have to supplement the Lion Roar kit for the boat cranes at least. I've got plenty of generic railings, but the idea of pre-measured railings is very appealing as well. It looks like I'll be giving GMM some more business.

[Dave Hill]

Hello All,

WIP Update: 20mm splinter shields and MK.37 directors.

I decided to use brass strips for the shields which I cut from old PE frets...I first assembled a 20mm gun from one of the L'Arsenal Oerlicon sets I have and roughly measured from the deck to the bottom of the gun's shield (0.117" or 2.9mm) looked about right, I then used a strait edge and a sharp utility knife to cut off strips to width, and after referancing my ship's drawing got the lengths. I then shaped the brass useing a dowel and detailed them with 0.10" styrene rod.

Brass strips cut and de-burred.

Shields shaped, detailed and ready for paint.

The completed shields.

Dave

[Dave Hill]

I originally built the MK.37 directors useing the kit parts and GMM PE, but after a clutzy accident on my part destroyed all but one director I had to start over. After pondering what to do, I decided to purchase the L'Arsenal MK.37 set, They're nice!, the resin parts are crisp, well detailed and defect free. I assembled the directors per instructions only adding PE ladders, the small scratch built antanne to the front of the main dish and styrene rod detail to the back.

Assembled director ready for paint.

The completed directors.

Dave

[MartinJQuinn]

Great stuff, Dave. Glad to see more pictures.

[Dave Hill]

Thanks Martin,

Haven't had as much time as I'd like lately to model but I'll post more pics when I can!


Dave

[rtheriaque]

Okay... Going to Fall River for real this time. Forecast calls for 75 degrees and sun!

Any other requests for detail pictures of Big Mamie or the Lionfish will be filled!

[Dave Hill]

Have a good trip!!!!!!!!

TIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave

[rtheriaque]

Well, I'm back, uploading pictures to my Flickr account as I type.

Busy, busy day at Fall River- many Scout troops aboard for an overnight. It's been years since I've been aboard (1999 or 2000, I think). There isn't much new to my eyes, other than the screw exhibits, but the ship is sure looking tired. The decks especially are just sad- concrete and poured epoxy are slowly taking over. Paint is worn and rust is spreading. I wish I could donate more or volunteer time, but I'm a touch too far away to spend weekends aboard and I've donated as much as I can.

Anyway, the bridge and conning level were closed. I was really disappointed- this was my first trip with my wife and I wanted her to really get an idea of just how thick the steel aboard is in places.

I did my best to get pictures of the rigging links on the accessible areas. I hope it helps.

Fake edit: Here's the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9238846@N0 ... 316648534/. I apologize for just dumping my camera- it's been a long day and I don't have the energy to clean 'em out- excuse my wife and me!

[Dave Hill]

Great pics !!!...Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Dave

[Dave Hill]

Hi all!!!!!!

WIP update!...20mm and 40mm guns.

Ohh my eyes!!!...finally finished these little beauties...I replaced the kit parts and used the ones from L'Arsenal...for anyone who has used these L'Arsenal guns will know how nice they are, and is why I will use them from now on. The guns in both kits were built per the instructions except I used 0.40" styrene rod to simulate the ammo drums on the Oerlikons.

Dave

[Dave Hill]

The Bofors

Dave

[Dave Hill]

And a quick mock-up of the guns and their tubs.

Dave