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How to make USN cage masts?

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  • Member since
    December 2020
  • From: Maryland
How to make USN cage masts?
Posted by NavArch on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 10:34 PM

I think it might be interesting to kitbash the ARIZONA back to her original configuration with cage masts.  Does anyone have any tips on how to make USN cage masts?

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by ddp59 on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 9:29 AM

what scale & before or after the torpedo bulges were added?

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 9:37 AM

There was an article in a very old issue of scale ship modeler [?] by Ron santos on making a set of cage masts in his conversion of the Oregon to the Massachusetts .  IIRC, it involved making a set of discs of the appropriate diameters wirh holes drilled around the perimeters.   The holes were matched to the wire diameter in use (times 2).  I forget how many.   It's research time. The discs are held in a fixture at the appropriate distance.  I don't remember the correct running pattern, but for example the wires run from say 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock, 1 to 4, 2 to 5, etc.  Them they run in the opposite twist from 12 to 9, 11 to 8, etc.  

While it may be less satisfying than looming your own, there are 3D printed cage masts, in the correct configuration for each particular ship.  3D Modelparts used to make them as did BlueRidge models.  Iron Shipwrights has just announced their inclusion in their products.  Of course check with Shapeways. The 3D ones are more accurate too, as the solid discs were not prototypical an there are lashings where each wire course crosses another 

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by ddp59 on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 9:46 AM

Ed, i think i have a copy of Ron's plans or similar saved on this computer. depends on the scale NavArch is going to use on whether there is 3D printed masts available or not.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 11:42 AM

What scale is your model?

It's not something I would never try to scratchbuild. The geometry is pretty complicated.

Model Monkey has moved his product from Shapeways to their own website. Grazing through it, I only see basket masts for Tennessee and Colorado classes, and out of stock.

But keep looking, something must be out there.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 12:21 PM

Hmmmmm;

 Seems to me there was an article in the now defunct Model Ship Builder. I believe also that somewhere in history it was done or re-printed by F.S.M. Now, I could be wrong. It never hurts to ask though. I don't have access to my old MSB magazines, but I am sure it was about 1989 when it was done.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: North Carolina, USA
Posted by Model Monkey on Thursday, December 24, 2020 8:49 PM

I do offer 1/350 scale cage masts for Colorado and Tennessee class ships, available from Shapeways (their geometry is not suitable for the gray resin 3D printers I own).

Another vendor on Shapeways offers early Arizona and Pennsylvania cage masts, also in 1/350 scale.

Hope this helps.

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by ddp59 on Friday, December 25, 2020 3:34 AM

Tanker-Builder, FSM did it July 1992 as i have it saved on my computer.

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Friday, December 25, 2020 7:36 AM

See! ddp59!

 I was close wasn't I? LOL.LOL. I though they did it. Well there are now established referrences . Good. Oh! and thank you for that!

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by ddp59 on Friday, December 25, 2020 9:37 AM

no problem, merry christmas.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, December 25, 2020 10:12 AM

I believe there is a photoetch package with the masts.  I forget for sure whose, but I remember looking it up to do the same thing.  I believe it was Toms, but not sure.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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