1:200 USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 68-69 (Trumpeter MISSOURI kit)

[BB62vet]

TKO -

Well, if you are going to build it as NJ 67-69 you'll need to get copies of the plans of her available from Floating Drydock as a start. Allen Chesley's plans of NJ (67-69) are quite good (and necessary). 1/16" (1:192) plans need to be reduced to 96% which gives you 1:200 scale (typical).

This configuration (67-69) of both fwd & after masts is different from her '50's appearance, with the exception of the after mast. However, this is TOTALLY different from the mast provided in the kit or the Pontos Detail Set (circa 1945). So, this will have to be completely scratchbuilt. I'm thinking some parts of the main mast from the Pontos set and the kit may be used, but the radars will have to be scratchbuilt. It's possible that one of the 1:192 PE sets of either U.S.N. cruiser or destroyer radars might work - I can't recall offhand without going to my references which of our radars was the same as carried on either DD's or CA's in the '60's but I think that the surface and/or air search units were similar to that carried on the FLETCHER class DD's.

NEW JERSEY's superstructure was modified to accommodate the ECCM suite that was added in '67 - once again all scratchbuilt.

If you were to build her as WISCONSIN (1957) I believe the major difference on her would be the after mast (4 leg w/radar) and the large refueling boom and kingposts that were added adjacent to the after mast. She had all 20mm and most (if not all) 40mm guns & tubs removed by then. Floating Drydock has a plan set available as of 1956 (1:192) for WISKY.

Hank

[tko24]

I have not ordered any plans yet, but I have quite a few references for either a 1957-1958 Wisconsin or a 1968-1969 New Jersey, so I'm pretty up to speed on the differences whichever ship I decide to do. But the problem is that there are no photoetch post WWII radars or electronics offered by any aftermarket manufactures in either 1/192 or 1/200. I don't think it will be a problem to scratchbuild the quadrapod mainmast or foremast for either ship, it's the ecm and radars that are the problem. The ISW 1/192 USS Johnston kit is the only source I've seen in either of those scales with post WWII photoetch radar and electronics. Photoetch from a FRAM Gearing class destroyer kit isn't going to provide what's needed for either era Iowa class BB. The other 1/192 and 1/200 sets available are all WWII era. I wish Pontos would reconsider doing a post war photoetch set. I'm just not interested in building my kit in a WWII fit.

[BB62vet]

TKO -

Let me say this again - "Scratchbuild" - got it?

I don't know what your modeling background is, but to tackle something like this kit and do modifications - you're going to be scratchbuilding.

IMHO, I would suggest you do the 56-57 WISCONSIN - it might be more suitable subject. I'll admit that I have somewhat of an advantage having served aboard NEW JERSEY 68-69 (and know how things were etc.), but I'm still going to have to draw on my modeling experience to pull off some of the skills required on this one. For the money invested I want it to come out looking as realistic as possible - not a weekend or 1 month project. For me, this will be a long term project - I still work full time and do my modeling in the evenings. Per this forum and what's been posted so far re. the Trumpeter kit, there are inherent problems that will need to be dealt with hull-wise. So, there's a lot to consider in how to proceed regardless of the ship or era you decide to build.

One other item to mention - you can NEVER have enough reference material, NEVER!!!

Hank

[tko24]

Yes, I'm able to scratchbuild the structural differences in the super structure for either ship even the masts out of styrene rod, but I don't have the skills to scratch build fine radar antenna arrays, or create the photoetch myself. I also don't have a ton of free time to spend years on one ship model. I'm lucky to get a 2-3 hours a week of modeling time. I'm a still serving Coastie. Hence the reason that I wish some manufacturer would produce a post WWII photo etched radar set similar to what GMM produces. If that makes me an "assembler" as opposed to a "modeler", so be it. I want this build to be fun, not a P.I.A.

[Fliger747]

By the time you get that far the pieces might become available! Certainly ok to have some intermediate make do pieces to replace later.

Cheers: T

[BB62vet]

TKO wrote

I'm a still serving Coastie. Hence the reason that I wish some manufacturer would produce a post WWII photo etched radar set similar to what GMM produces. If that makes me an "assembler" as opposed to a "modeler", so be it. I want this build to be fun, not a P.I.A.

Well, you didn't mention those details in your opening post - sometimes it helps those reading a post if those writing it give a brief explanation of their situation, etc. - that way we're all on the same page.

I fully understand your predicament - in 1968-69 while serving aboard NEW JERSEY I picked up one of those awful Revell MISSOURI kits from the 1950's and tried remaking it into NJ - when we decommed the ship Sep-Dec 69 I gave the unfinished kit to the LT in our Personnel Office who I worked for. Talk about a PIA - that was the one. I too, would like to see 3rd party PE for the newer arrays, but I'm faced with the same thing you are, regardless.

As Flinger747 says, perhaps one of the 3rd party outfits will be reading this and eventually fill the void. In the meantime, I wish you luck on whatever direction you go with this. And just keep in mind - you CAN take it with you when you leave the USCG!

Hank

[Fliger747]

Until recently I was on the road a lot (international pilot). Sometimes it is actually convenient to work on small parts etc since you might have the time and not a lot of space. I used to do this till the TSA took away any knives, glue etc. My build, being a scratch and not a kit is often a PIA when something needs to be produced in quantity! So good luck with your project!

Cheers. Tom

[BB62vet]

I actually got started back in this hobby (after a 30 year or so hiatus) by working on small sub-assemblies in a motel room while on contract. I've kept it up now (more on a permanent basis) for 13 years. I'm still "on the road" so to speak, but in a rented mobile home (trailer trash ) where I do my model building.

Now, back to the build (on topic) -

Here is last week's work - the A/C crane - I hope to paint this coming week and add a couple other details prior to that. Forgive the photography, I'm not the best at this, but it gets across the hybrid nature of the use of kit and PE parts.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Hank:

The crane looks nice. Getting any sort of rigging tight is always a challenge. Some builders have rigged with sprue and then tightened with an approach of heat. Easy to screw up I have heard!

Cheers: Tom

[BB62vet]

Before using very thin brass wire for the added cable, I tried drawing out various pieces of styrene sprue under heat - didn't' have great success for something very thin and a couple inches long, hence using the wire.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Tackling the crane first was jumping in full force to the project! A very nice job and will look especially great when painted and gracing that broad fantail! What is next?

Cheers. Tom

[BB62vet]

After finishing the crane, I'll probably continue with all the parts associated (PE) with the crane and then move to drilling rung holes in the hull. Probably next will be getting the 3 16" turrets assembled.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Be very interested to see how the hull ladders go. I think Missouri now has a ladder port side aft of the #3 turret and none on the stern now. Then there are the same rung ladders to do on all 10 5" mounts.... The main turrets should be satisfying units all to themselves.

Regards. T

[BB62vet]

Tom,

Thanks (by the way) for the comments on the crane! Hope to post photos of the painted product soon.

You are correct in the location of the stern hand rungs - both sides just forward of the empty 40mm tubs. Also, the set of rung on the stern just to the starboard side of center.

Later,

Hank

[Fliger747]

I have photos showing the rungs on the port side but didn't think to peer over the side on stbd to see what was there. For my build the stbd side of the hull is sort of like the dark side of the moon. I see one of the rail PE kits has rungs as well.

Really glad that there are folks building various ships and eras, an important addition to the knowledge of these interesting and long lived ships.

Cheers. Tom

[BB62vet]

Well, after a sick day (which was good for my modeling) I've a comment or two to make:

Regarding the PE rungs, etc. - This is NOT a job for the faint of heart - these rungs are extremely hard to handle and it goes downhill from there. It took almost an hour to cut off the PE sheet probably 50 or so rungs. Once the holes were drilled, another 1-2 hours to glue in place. And you must make sure the holes you drill are the right size. LIVE & LEARN.

Using the brass hole patterns - make sure you tape these in place before trying to drill the holes. Use clear tape and drill thru the tape.

I've got the stern set in place and as soon as my primer spray arrives, I'll prime and then take photos. The set of rungs on either side of the aft 40mm tubs will need to be re-drilled since I screwed them up royally the first time around.

I do have a good start on the foremast (scratchbuilt) and am waiting on a set of Chesely plans from Floating Drydock before I start planning the conning tower modifications. Kim @ Pontos is on board with a modified deck set - we're working on this sort of back & forth.

Later,

Hank

[Fliger747]

Hank:

Thanks for the update. Indeed sounds as not for the faint of heart. Again tackling the easy stuff first! Good advice about the clear tape, will be a while till I end up doing the hand grab ladders. By the time you do the twenty ladders on the 5" mounts you will really have this down, or be blind and crazy. In the scratch section Anatoly did a great job on these with his 1:200 scratch Bismarck.

Cheers, as always. Tom

[BB62vet]

Tom,

Thanks for the support - much appreciated. Yea, the 10 5" mounts will take some time - at least Pontos supplies the brass patterns for all areas that have rungs to be fitted. With the mods to the conning tower I'm able to save some of the rungs for the aft hull (fwd of the 40mm tubs). Home now, so modeling will resume on Sun. night.

I've got an order in w/Floating Drydock for dimensioned dwgs. of the SPS-6C and SPS-10 radars that NJ carried in 67-69. That should provide the info I need to make those parts.

Hank

[Fliger747]

At least on BB63 they removed the stern ladder when the Nixi was installed. That also required the ships name to be moved! Doing some small superstructure details around the Davits. The photos I have are a great help.

Having done the ladder on the stern you have decided not to mod the hull?

Cheers. Tom

[BB62vet]

Tom,

I'm also working on the NIXIE stern fixture as NJ carried it in 67-69. As for the stern work - I don't anticipate changing anything at the stern of the model. I am still keeping en eye on the posts re. hull work, but this doesn't interfere with that.

Later,

Hank