Plans / Blueprints from Floating Drydock

Floating Drydock provides copies of actual USN builder's plans, and lots of plans that have been redrawn by various individuals.

Depending on what you intend to build, RC, static, etc., there's a bunch plan types to consider.

If you're looking at the G series of plans for the LCAC, they contain the following:

MAIN DECK, OUTBOARD PROFILE (Port and Starboard), BRIDGES, SUPERSTRUCTURE DECK, PLATFORMS, INBOARD PROFILE, Plan View (overhead), and fore and after views.

To my knowledge you do not get hull cross sections or general arrangements of fittings, etc.

If you order from Tom, your best bet is to fax the order in, as he's a one man operation and is quite busy. He's great to deal with, highly respected, and has been around the business for years. If you're lucky enough to get him on the phone, he's very helpful.

Hope this helps,

Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com

Recently I bought five "Bu"-series drawings of the Essex carrier. I received an e-mail from Tom saying he'd received the order, and then in about a week I received the drawings. They were huge, about 10-feet long, copies of the originals from the early forties. So it all went fine.

The only gamble is whether you are getting the exact drawings you want; so read the descriptions carefully.

Chris

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeff_Herne If you're looking at the G series of plans for the LCAC, they contain the following: MAIN DECK, OUTBOARD PROFILE (Port and Starboard), BRIDGES, SUPERSTRUCTURE DECK, PLATFORMS, INBOARD PROFILE, Plan View (overhead), and fore and after views. To my knowledge you do not get hull cross sections or general arrangements of fittings, etc.

Well, I have never scratchbuilt anything before and I realize that trying to do an LCAC from plans, even in 1/72, is a monumental undertaking. I have a lot of patience for things like this and many years of modeling experience.

For those who have done this sort of scratchbuilding, would the items included in the LCAC plans be enough to get a good start on the project? Or would I have to look for even more information before even trying it? Of course, one can never do too much research, but how much is enough?

-Mark

Having scratchbuilt a few ships myself (15 at present), in my opinion, yes, you could do a decent model from the G series plans...

Add in photos and reference materials and you should be ok.

I really don't think hull stations are necessary in a LCAC, as long as you have the plan view drawings. The skirt stays basically the same shape all the way around the vessel.

Jeff

The bottom is basically a big beveled rectangle with boxes on it.

If you wait a couple of weeks, or one week, depending on the christmas mail rush, I will have a set and can let you know more about the set.

My landing ship was plans, and ship from scratch.
http://groups.msn.com/ModelersAndHobbyForum/japaneset103lstbuildup.msnw

Geez, I thought I had obscure stuff.... Umi's got me beat!!! :-)

Jeff

I also have been considering scratchbuilding some WWII ships and I notice that everyone I have seen talking about the plans no one mentions things like armament, the 15-inch guns. Does Floating Drydock supply them too?

Armament plans for main and secondary guns are generally included, although typically, you don't scartchbuild the AA guns and things like that, you'd use pre-cast fittings from HR, John Haynes, or JD fittings.

Jeff

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeff_Herne Geez, I thought I had obscure stuff.... Umi's got me beat!!! :-) Jeff

I think you have me beat by sheer numbers though.
And I just sold my Romani class light cruiser. So I may
yet get my 1/72nd Minikaze class finished.

I'm still staring at my half done 1/350 Tone...and a 1/2 finished IJN Takao...argh...no time.

J

Yes in this hobby/ business time is a precious commodity.

For the record, I have always liked the plans from Floating Drydock.
The prints are always clear, and they are real blue prints, so keep them out of the sun.

As for the LCAC set for $45 dollars,... WOW!

I was kind of hoping for the last few months to find something else that might be a little cheaper, and provide only what I needed. Plans Elevations and a couple sections.
Someone finally agreed to go in on this set a couple weeks ago, so I broke down and ordered them.

The set from Floating Drydock consists of about 3 different sets of plans.
The Typical; Plans, Elevations(exterior), Elevations (interior) Elevations front and back.

Also included is 5 sheets of longitudinal and cross sections thru the "boat" that give you all the "hull" data.

And then a set of Detail sheets showing everything from turbine intakes, power train, drive fan,... right down to the control dashboard layout.

An absolutely wonderful set to sit an peruse through with a good cup of coffee, and
easily more than enough information for building a model at any scale.

Aimee