USS New Jersey, 1943

Amphib,

Thanks for your confirmation!  I have just ordered a copy of that book.  This thread just goes to show that a serious builder must check sources because he can't always rely on the instructions!

Bill

Bill

Good catch! Page 90 of Iowa Class Battleships also has a picture of #2 turret on the Iowa. There actually was a gun tub with three 20 mm guns mounted on the turret. The explanation is that there was a lower level of the armored conning station to accommodate a flag control station and the 40mm tub/guns would have obstructed the view from the viewing ports. This station was apparently eliminated from the other ships in the class allowing for the installation of the 40mm guns.

Amphib

I believe that I found my answer!  I came across a photo of USS IOWA in early 1943 that showed a single 20mm gun on turret #2.  The reason given in the caption was that IOWA had been fitted out as a flagship so the 40mm quad was not originally fitted on the turret.

The conversion set was for the open bridge IOWA/NEW JERSEY.  I believe that Tom's simply switched  the name of the ship with the turret #2 20mm AA fit.

Bill

Not to disparage Tom's, but, while the PE is usually adequate, the instructions are generally best treated as "guidelines" or "suggestions" as opposed to Holy Writ.

Gentlemen,

Thanks!  Your observations confirm my own research into this. I have no idea where Tom's Model Works got that information but I am disregarding it.  40mm quads in a D-shaped tub it is!

Bill

Bill

The definitive work on the Iowa class battleships IOWA CLASS BATTLESHIPS Their Design, Weapons, and Equipment, by Robert F Sumrall has on page 36 a picture of the New Jersey on her shakedown cruise. This was on 8,July 1943. The caption specifically notes the addition of a 40mm mount atop the number two turret. There is no mention anywhere in the book of 20mm guns mounted on the turrets. The confusion may be that they were initially authorized only to be replaced by the 40s during construction.

Amphib

Looked through Paul Stillwell's "Battleship New Jersey" and found no evidence of 20mms on #2 16" mount.

Ed,

Thanks. I have plenty of photographs showing the New Jersey with the D-shaped tub with 40 mm quad mount. I have been unable to find any showing her with a platform of four 20mm singles.  Yet, the Tom's instructions state specifically that the ship was in the configuration for a short while. I'm beginning to doubt those instructions unless someone can show me otherwise.

Thanks again.

Bill

See photo of the new Jersey - as commssioned - at navsource.

http://navsource.org/archives/01/062/016219w.jpg

You have to go in through the main battleship page.  See New Jersey/1942 - 1943/24th picture down.

Shows a D-shaped tub mounted at the back of the #2 turret with quad 40mm mount