Calling all Pennsylvania-class (ACR-4) armored cruiser fans

[varifleman]

I'm looking to model my NIKO 1/700 USS Maryland armored cruiser as the USS Huntington ACR-5 with catapult circa 1917 and wonder if there are 1/700 seaplane kits to use/modify for this ship. I think I can use a modified 1/700 early catapult kit and a Blue Ridge or Tom's Model works pre-dreadnought/armored cruiser cage mast kit to fit out this conversion.

[Rick E Davis]

A cool project. But, the "catapult" on USS HUNTINGTON wasn't like the catapults that followed this one.

From these two images, you can see that the "catapult" was two "I-Beam" rails that were fixed in place by vertical supports. There was a gap in the supports to allow the aft turret to rotate. Shouldn't be too hard to duplicate.






This overhead view gives you a idea of the rail arrangement for stowage of aircraft and path to the "catapult".

[varifleman]

Thanks Rick for the reference photos of catapult; makes it easier to look through my accessories stash and find likely candidates for that catapult.