Hello again all!
Well, I have finally finished all the frames for the hull and I have started construction of the ship. There are a total of 88 frames. It's not much more than a skeleton at the moment, but you'll get an idea of the basic shape and size of the ship. Let's take a look........
Here's the starboard side of the ship. I started out by laying the keel flat on the operating table, on this starboard side, and attaching all the frames. The table has been leveled and trued up so I have a nice, flat surface to work from. Note that some 1/16" balsa sheeting has been added here to maintain the shape of the hull. Without this sheeting, the structure would move about like an accordian. The entire hull will be sheeted off in this 1/16" balsa in 2 or three layers, staggering the joints on each layer. The initial covering is the tough part. Additional layers of sheeting go much easier.
Here's the port side of the hull. Since the other side has been stiffened up, I was then able to set the hull upright and attach the frames to this side. I'll sheet this off soon the same as the other side and then continue with the first layer of covering. The general shape of things now looks pretty good, although there is a long way to go yet. This is the "rough - in stage.
Here's the forward part of the stb. side looking aft. All the frames were trued up square before assembly. Note the bulbous bow taking shape. I'll sculpt the very forward part of the bow with autobody filler (bondo), after the hull is fully sheeted off with all layers of 1/16" balsa. Keeping things straight at this early stage of constuction is very important. It pays off in the end!
Here is a close up of the frames on the port side midships. Note things are pretty straight and level. Hi strength cyanoacrylate used for assy. adhesive. Frames are .125 ocume marine plywood and the keel is .250 chinese birch plywood.
The front of the ship here. Again note the bulbous bow area. A strip of thin styrene will be added to the keel here to get a nice sharp edge above the bulb. I'll bondo to it and then shape it up.Note the initial sheeting looks a bit "wavy", but that will go away as I proceed. The hull frames are a little off here or there. I am going by drawings, and they are always off a little.I compensate as I go along so the shape of the hull looks good. Always trust your eye.
Here's the real Indiana on launch day. Note the bow.I intend to duplicate this.Note the sharp edge from just below the f'castle to almost the bottom of the bulb.
Another shot of the bow here.Note the keel is a little wavy, but close enough after all is covered up. These little variations will be fixed as I go along. All will be straight!!
Here is a photo of the test model for the prop arrangement on the SD Class BB's. Note the outboard skegs. In actual building of the ships, these were much fatter. Twin rudders are just aft of the inboard props, which are of a strut vs. skeg arrangement.
Note the outboard skegs here and the 5 blade props. You can see the rudders,but the inboard props are hard to see if at all in this shot. The props inboard are 4 bladed. Note the aft 40mm quad gun tubs.
This view of the real ship is looking up and aft from below. You can see the prop arrangement better in this photo. Note the outboard skegs, while inboard is strut and shaft arrangement.
Here's the rough in on the model of those outboard skegs. A way to go yet, but will look cool when done!!
Another view of the rough in of the outboard skeg arrangement. Note how the skegs blend into the hull. As I said, as ways to go yet ,but I've got the general idea.
Last but not least, heres another shot of the stb. side bow area. Can't wait to get things completely sheeted off. I am getting there. That's it for this update................. Stay tuned for more as things progress!! I continue on......................
Bill W.
to bad thats just liek the size of my entrie living space right now 
30 more frames to go, and I start the hull. YEEEEEE_E HA!!!!!! Stay Tuned.............. 