The Ship Model Forum

A detailed photo of NJ in 1946 does reveal the same lateral brace for the fire control tower. In Stillwell NJ p 26 appears to show the aft opening of the director base on the 03 level as being an open oval. A little dim in the shadow but one can see the fwd open oval and no indication of a door. Many pages back in the CASF thread I have some photos of the stanchion locations.

I has some advantage as building a ship which I had access to in its latest configuration.

Cheers. Tom

Chuck, et al - I think to some extent that at this point I need to throw a yellow flag - comparing the 1980's IOWA class ships to photos and models of the 1940's configuration of these ships is counterproductive to some degree at this point.

Compare it to the NEW JERSEY photos of 1945 at Puget Sound (NavSource) and you will see there is not a lot above the main deck that resembles the original configuration. This is especially true in regards the signal bridge area in and around the Mk. 37 FC foundation bases.

My build is of NEW JERSEY in her 1967-69 configuration, so any external photos of the modern ship are, at this point in time, probably not useful at all. While some of the basic superstructure remains, the outer overhangs, stanchion work, platforms, etc. have all been drastically changed.

I appreciate all the comments, etc. but modern day photos are really not that helpful - UNLESS they convey - such as the photos of the intake air vents provided earlier - something that has not been modified and is still something visible and also MISSING or INCORRECT on the kit we are all working from.

This reply is intended only to remind members reading this build of the era/configuration I'm working on, not that I don't appreciate your comments, etc. Please continue all replies, commentary, just keep in mind the time period of this build, etc.

Thanks and resume play,

Hank

Tom,

Thanks for the Stillwell reference - I'll check that out when I'm back at the shop. That could be the only photo reference of those levels that may be verifiable - even my cruise book photos are scant in this area of the ship.

I hope I'm not being too critical (my last reply), but the modern IOWAs are simply not the 60's era ships of the past - esp. when it comes to the superstructure.

Hank

Another photo, only possibly applicable is on Stillwell Mo p 44 of underway replenishment (WWII) 80-G-376365 which shows the support by the flag bags and an open oval opening at the aft of the director. Caveats: Not NJ, Not 1970 or so; could be an open door behind the opening, opening inward (unlikely). Another early post war overhead photo of Mo pp 88-89 definitely shows the flag bag brace, again not NJ.

Not sure if any of that is helpful. If I do find anything that is, will fwd.

Regards: Tom

This one from NAVSOURCE, NJ 24 June 1945, PSNS. Looks as if you can make out a coaming in the passage?

Tom,

Thanks, your provided photo does show a door (partially open) on the 04 level below. I will check out Stillwell's books but at this point I'm leaning towards opening all the after bulkhead doors (3 levels) and making doorways which I think would be correct.

Hank

I believe the partially open W/T Door in the photo is on the 02 level. After looking at every photo that shows even a small section of the cutout on the 03 level it is open, if a w/t door is there some photo should show the opening closed? Will keep looking for a better set of photos! Tom

Hank, Give me a yell at propmeup1@verizon.net. i'm having problems with the site here,

Keith

Keith,

Will do!

Thanks,

Hank

Looking at the above photo, I see a small pipe frame by the mount captains blast hood on the 54 mount. Any idea what this was for, hadn't see one before. Anything related to the grabiron ladder at the aft of the mount each side?

T

Tom,

I'll have to look up the complete photo on NavSource and see if it matches anything in the MO Plan Book.

Those frames were long gone when NJ was refit in '67.

Hank

It's part of the hardware for a spotting rifle that they could attach to the mount roof.
Not exactly sure of its purpose other than for training.
I haven't seen any photos of the rifle mounted and have wondered how in the world it would be effective. Not many small caliber rifles have the ballistics of a 5" round.
Also, did someone have to sit up there to work the thing.

Hopefully someone will have better information.

James

James M -


Thanks for the info - you're farther along that trail than the rest of us - I looked at the 3 photos in that series from Puget Sound '45 and couldn't pick up anything else. Stillwell's NJ book shows them up thru 1954 (pp134-135) but not after that time. I didn't see any on the other IOWAs. Very strange.

Hank

I thought that they might have used a sub caliber insert? Certainly a training cam could be engaged in the fire control train to match say a .50 cal round which might have a useful trajectory out to a mile or two.

Cheers. T.

Here is a current update on work to date -

The last couple weeks or so I've been working on the 04/05 Nav Bridge/Signal Bridge/Conning Tower assembly. Here are some photos as of last night: There is some paint/railing touch-up/corrections to make but otherwise ready to have the upper conning tower mated to this assembly. I will then try to get back to working on the forward lower hull modification - putty/file/sand - which should take a few nights to get completed.

Hank

It's looking great, hank.

For what it's worth, there is a dogged hatch on the curved section of superstructure right inboard of the foremost 5"/38 mount, it also shows up on rendering of the Missouri I've seen. So I suspect it might be there on the New Jersey as well:

Thanks, Chuck - what ship was that in your photo? I will check that out in my references, but I suspect you are correct and bofore I go any further, I'll address that door (hatch).

Hank

Hello Hank:

Thanks for the update. The little details will make this portion of the model stand out nicely. Does the "windshield" come in the kit?

Hank: That's the Iowa.

Alright Hank! Progress is good!