Model Monkey Sneak Peeks

[hermannsae]

Research might be tricky as apart from Anatomy of the Ship Belfast (AOTS), I don't remember anyone having plans of the ship. I remember a big thread about this but can't find it. There is this in CAS: Southampton class:
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=6548&start=40

Great start! I'll keep perusing Amazon. Sometimes an AOTS book comes up there for pennies. Have AOTS Hood!

Hi Steve, I do have two copies of the "Belafast" Anatomy of the ship.
If interested, please let me know. I am sure we can work something out.

Hermann

[ModelMonkey]

Hello Steve... any preview of the aft superstructure?

There are two parts to the aft superstructure:
1) The aft funnel and anti-aircraft deck, which is almost ready.
2) The lower anti-aircraft deck with superstructure extension. That is in design.

Just tweaking the first design for printing. The deck is fully planked and properly cambered. This feature really pushes Shapeways' printing technology hard.

[Update!] Design is complete and available in 1/350 and 1/700.

[Gunner82]

Since it doesn't look like the Trumpeter 1/200 USS Enterprise is not going to happen, are there plans do do anything to make the 1/200 Hornet into the Big E or the Yorktown?

[ModelMonkey]

Since it doesn't look like the Trumpeter 1/200 USS Enterprise is not going to happen, are there plans do do anything to make the 1/200 Hornet into the Big E or the Yorktown?

Yes! February. [edit: these are available now: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Mo ... ctures&s=0]

[ModelMonkey]

Can you guess? Design is at about 25% complete.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, David!

The machinegun platforms' shapes are accurate according to copies of the same Navy drawings you sent (thank you and Tracy White), along with drawings by Alan B. Chesley, adjusted to conform to features confirmed in photos and include details not appearing in the drawings (e.g. hinges, extension joint, etc.).

The one feature corrected from the preview rendering you see above is that the machinegun platform hatches have been moved outward from the funnel slightly to allow for a vertical ladder.

Here's how the design looks now at about 50% complete:
[edit: the design is complete and the funnel is available in 1/720, 1/700, 1/426, 1/350, 1/200 and 1/192 scales. Link to thread with images of the completed design: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=161381]

[biggles2]

Great! Now no more excuses for delaying my Arizona!

[Brian K.]

Is the 1941 Pennsylvania funnel the same?

[ModelMonkey]

Is the 1941 Pennsylvania funnel the same?

Great question, Brian!
No, they are not the same in detail. In overall shape, yes. But enough is different that I have made a separate design for Pennsylvania's funnel, available now on Shapeways.

Photos of Pennsy's funnel show that some details differ from Arizona's:

- Pennsy's steam pipe on the back of the funnel is centered (Arizona's is offset to starboard), the pipe's exhaust is a bit higher, and the pipe penetrates the stack at a higher position. The supports that tie the pipe to the funnel differ in number and position
- Pennsy's incinerator exhaust pipe is located farther forward on the port side, much closer to the searchlight control station, and its cap is of a different style than Arizona's (it's larger, identical in style and size to the other exhaust caps)

What is not known about Penny's funnel on December 7th, 1941, is the shape of the machinegun platform or its splinter shields. Photos of this platform have not yet been found. The platform was replaced at Mare Island about February-March 1942 by a much larger structure carrying four 20mm Oerlikons and their numerous ammo lockers. Excellent photos of the replacement platform exist. But until photos or drawings of the December 1941 platform can be found, we are left to assume that the December, 1941 platform was similar, if not identical to, Arizona's at the time of her destruction.

Here are current renderings of the Pennsylvania 1941 funnel:

[ArizonaBB39]

Excellent work again, Steve. Any plans to do the incinerator too?

[SeanF]

What is not known about Penny's funnel on December 7th, 1941, is the shape of the machinegun platform or its splinter shields. Photos of this platform have not yet been found. The platform was replaced at Mare Island about February-March 1942 by a much larger structure carrying four 20mm Oerlikons and their numerous ammo lockers. Excellent photos of the replacement platform exist. But until photos or drawings of the December 1941 platform can be found, we are left to assume that the December, 1941 platform was similar, if not identical to, Arizona's at the time of her destruction.

There is a little bit of the platform visible on page 26 of The Way It Was: Pearl Harbor, in a photo that the caption dates as August 11, 1941. It's definitely Pennsy, and it's definitely pre-Dec. 7 and she's in Measure 1 with the range clock still in place on her mainmast, so it's probably a correct date. It looks like the splinter shield might go flat for a short distance from the point where the railing connects before making a rounded bend back toward the funnel at the aft end, rather than the essentially circular tub shown in the renderings. It also looks like the railing connection point is further forward than the circular tub would allow - so, I think the long diagonals at the middle of the platforms need to move forward a little and the semi-circle tubs revised to straight sides with rounded corners (I think a tighter radius than the existing rendering, but not a lot tighter.) (Hard to describe this in text.)

Another interesting bit I just noticed in this photo is that the black paint at the funnel cap extends about 3-4 feet below the actual cap, and this demarcation also applies to the incinerator pipe. (none of the other pipes are visible)

- Sean F.

[ModelMonkey]

There is a little bit of the platform visible on page 26 of The Way It Was: Pearl Harbor, in a photo that the caption dates as August 11, 1941.... [snip]
- Sean F.

Excellent! Please forward a copy of the photo to me and I'll revise the design to match the photo.

[ModelMonkey]

Sean, more like this?

Obviously not the final design until I can see the photo, but let me know if this is similar to what you see.

Relocated angular section of splinter shield more forward and flatter side with shortened radius at aft, outer corner. (The final splinter shield will be thinner.)

[SeanF]

Sorry, I meant to bring the book to work with me to the office this morning to get a good scan, but headed out in a rush and forgot. I'll get you that picture tomorrow.
Yes, something like that. The front corner of the splinter shield may be a little rounded as well, though it's really hard to see clearly. I suppose it's also possible that the radius is the same, just with the diagonal shield moved forward to insert the straight piece (the pre-existing searchlight platform looks like it matches Arizona's in the late 1930s photos, and it does seem a bit odd that they'd bother adding just a little more to the platform to square off the back corners - but I'll bet stranger things have happened during yard periods)

- Sean F.

[SeanF]

Okay, let's see if this works. First time I've tried this.

The image spans pages 26-27 of "The Way It Was: Pearl Harbor," hence the distortion in the middle.

I highly recommend this book. Many photos that I've never seen anywhere else.

- Sean F.

[BB62vet]

Steve, SeanF -

I think I also have this book and will check out this photo when I'm back at my shop on Sunday - if I can get a closer scan of the mast area, I'll do so and get it to you, Steve.

Hank

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks so much, fellas! I'm away til Monday but will be back to work on Portland and Pennsylvania then.

[ArizonaBB39]

Steve,

Just got the 1941 AZ superstructure today, WOW. Amazing work!

Now I'm curious if you have plans to provide any of the turret barbets? Or perhaps the 01 deck level and it's attached turret barbet?

Keep up the great work

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks so much!

I hope to have them done shortly. I promised some other work done first.
Really glad you're happy with the superstructure!

[ModelMonkey]

After careful study of the August, 1941 photo Sean found, manipulating contrast, light, tone and value, identifying as many details as possible, studying the splinter shielding shape very closely, and comparing the details found in Sean's photo with other photos of the funnel from the 1930s, here is the revised Pennsylvania 1941 Funnel design.

It is available now in 1/700, 1/426, 1/350, 1/200 and 1/192 scales. Other scales are possible.

In 1/700 scale only, the very fine whistle and pipe at the forward edge of the funnel cap are too fine to print. Please make your own using wire or rod.