Model Monkey Lexington CV-2 & Saratoga CV-3 Funnels

[Jim21680]

Cool! I wasn't sure if a pre-36 Lex funnel would be following the latest releases, but I'm glad to see this.
As soon as I decide which bridge tower I should go with (either the 36-40 Lex, or one of the earlier Sara designs), I'll be ordering soon.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...Thanks Steve

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, Jim!

USS Lexington CV-2 funnel designs are complete. There are four designs, one for each of the following periods:

1928-1935

1936-1940

1941-March, 1942

May 8, 1942 (Battle of the Coral Sea)

[ModelMonkey]

Four different funnel designs for USS Saratoga CV-3 are now available depicting the funnel during four distinct periods. Here are the designs with notes regarding major feature changes:

1928-1940 ("tall stack" as commissioned through the pre-war years):

May, 1942-1943 ("short stack" - funnel cut down and aft 8" fire control station has been entirely replaced with a Mk.37 director platform, radar platform enlarged for SK radar, clipping rooms and aft-end 01-level equipment room added, and two AA director tubs installed):

1944-1945 ("short stack" - Mk.37 director platform and splinter shielding extended aft around the Mk.37 director tower, radar platform pedestal enlarged for the very heavy SM radar):[/b]

[ModelMonkey]

1941-March, 1942 ("tall stack" - large multiple .50 cal. AA platform installed with "dumbwaiter" ammunition hoists, Secondary Conn/Aviation Control has been replaced with a CXAM-1 radar control booth with searchlight platform, port and starboard catwalks have been removed, more doors have been cut into the 01 level, a 1.1" "Chicago Piano" tub is now in position, the salute gun platform has been removed from the top of the freshwater tank).

Many thanks to Dick J for providing reference photos for the design.

[marijn van gils]

You are correct that the horizontal bands represent a plating strap bolted to the exterior of butt-joined plates above and below each of them reinforcing the joint. It seems a bit heavy in the renderings but the straps are designed to print 0.01mm thick in 1/350 scale and 0.005mm thick in 1/700 scale. For those that find this too thick to their liking, they can be gently sanded down without difficulty. It is my opinion that this feature, appearing prominently in many photos, is important in the design.

I think that these thicknesses will appear realistically thick after paint. Also, they should prove resistant to over-use of an air eraser, if the modeler chooses to use one to smooth surfaces before painting.

Regarding the boat platform, a 3D printed platform would further increase the cost of an already very expensive product, and could be easily replicated by the modeler for little or no cost. I am sensitive to the cost of these products simply because expensive products put these products out of the reach of modelers who would enjoy them. Expensive products do not sell, no matter how good the design.

I could design the 20mm Oerlikon AA platform as a separate product for those that want one. Thoughts?

Good news! The 1942 version is nearly done. The modifications from the 1936 design to the 1941 design are based on official "Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor General Arrangement" plans dated 15 April 1942 found in Steve Wiper's "Warship Pictorial #33, USS Lexington CV-2" on pages 36-37 (highly recommended reference), and photos of the ship taken at Pearl when the mods were made. They clearly show the mods made to the aft 8" fire control station platforms to include clipping rooms and 20mm Oerlikon positions. The clipping rooms in the 3D design feature open scuttles in locations indicated by the NYPH drawings. These drawings also include the footprint and shape of the 1.1" Chicago Piano position splinter shielding, a product I already offer separately. No plastic kit manufacturer captures the curved shape of the shielding as shown in the NYPH drawings, a discussion made in the CASF CV-2 thread. So I made a 3D design as an alternative for those modelers who prefer them curved instead of the rectangular kit parts.

I forgot to answer to this one� Sorry about that!

The finished design looks gray Steve!!! Congrats! I concur with your ideas above. The lines will probably be perfect, and if not can be removed very easily indeed.
As for the 20mm platform: it is easy to scratchbuilt, so isn't necessary. But since it is an integral part of the funnel part of the island, if I would be someone who doesn't like scratch building, I would rather have it included (and pay a bit extra) than have to buy a separate piece. Maybe it can be an optional design? One cheaper without AA platform, one more expensive with?
For anyone scratchbuilding it, be aware though that it sits slightly lower than the platforms to the front and rear of the funnel (unlike the Trumpeter kit, which puts it at the same level). One of those things I only found out too late, so I also didn't do this correctly on my own build�

Cheers,

Marijn