1/350 USS Arizona

Simply put....an absolute masterpiece out of the southbound end of a northbound sow.

I have the HB issue of this kit, it's no better than the old Revell kit.  I looked at it, and closed the box and relegated it to the back of the shelf, never to see the light of day again.  I'll never come close to achieving your level of talent and skill.

Beautiful! I have the kit in my stash and will do the build following your example.

goldhammer, this is what i am doing with Revell's 1/429 scale USS Arizona.

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=165105

DRUMS01

It is shown as anchored in February 1941 at the Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard

Really outstanding stuff there.

You may have chosen the exact right date to display here in all her glory.

Only leaves a couple of minor quibbles.  She ought to be flying her call sign of November; Alpha; Charlie; Victor from one yard arm or the other.

Also one or both boat booms ought to be rigged out, with a companionway over the side from the quarterdeck.

And, at anchor, there ought to be an anchor & chain over the side. 

But, PSNSY used moorings rather than open anchorage.  The mmorings used a bouy poised above a huge anchor.  The bouys wea about 12-15 feet across, and were fitted with a sizable padeye at the top center.  The ship fetching up to a mooring chose one of the anchor rodes, and detached the anchor on it, leaving it suspended from its stoppers.  The remaining rode was brought forward through the bullseye with a swvel link attached.  This was lowered down to the bouy and made up with a large shackle. 

Due to the overwhelming mechanical advantage the bouy was anchored with, the ship could ride at short stay to the bouy--five or six fathoms off the bouy.  Unless there was a lot of wind, or a stong current, the chain hung in a catenary.  In a stout fetch, though, the chain over the bullseye could be straight and the bouy tipped at 45º (putting the "special" into the Special Sea and Anchor Detail).

Thse are the things only an old salt would notice.  Especially if they've had to rig block and tackle to pass chain through the bullseye, then heave it back on deck to fit the swivel in.  Or having had to get the XO to put a boat over the side to collect deck apes off the bouy.

Still an outsanding build carried off so incredibly well.

CapnMac82,

Thanks for the response its appreciated, but I do not believe you looked close enough at the photos, specifically....

(1) "Also one or both boat booms ought to be rigged out, with a companionway over the side from the quarterdeck". 

ANSWER: look closely and you will see a boat boom deployed on the aft starboard side with a companionway just a little farthur forward.

(2) "And, at anchor, there ought to be an anchor & chain over the side".  

ANSWER: look closely and the forward photo of the bow and you can see the deployed anchor with chain in the water. There is just a very small amount of splash around the chain. Regarding a certian detail to and anchoring, I will take the bite on that one as it was not shown in the photos I used for reference. Thanks as I will use that information on my next PSNSY period build.

(3) "She ought to be flying her call sign of November; Alpha; Charlie; Victor from one yard arm or the other".

ANSWER: Based on the detailed historical photo while at Puget Sound, 18 January 1941, in the Paul Stillwell book, there was no call sign flags or pennants on her at the moment of the photo so that is how I created her.  

By all means please continue to call me out on anything that is obviously missing and I will be happy to correct it. Thanks again for the extra eyes looking her over, it is appreciated.

Ben

Thanks Goldhammer, Don, and Shipwreck for the kind words. I really had no idea what I was getting into when I started it, but I am overall very happy with what I have learned through the research as well as the challenges which were overcome during the build process. 

Just out of curosity, I did indeed keep track of the time and cost in the build. It worked out to 896 hours and $845.86 in product including taxes and shipping (of course the labor was free).

Thanks again.....

Ben

What a beautiful piece.  Funny how you ship guys know all the details like the companion way etc.  It's all in the details as my mother used to say.  Nicely done.

DRUMS,

Having been there, done that with ARIZONA, I am proud to say that yours is one of a very, no, extremely few models of ARIZONA with this level of correctness. I congratulate you on your accomplishment, as I am well aware of the efforts required to reach that pinnacle.

You have done the crew proud, Thank You.

BRAVO ZULU, Well Done. "AT 'EM ARIZONA" 

DRUMS01

Thanks again for the extra eyes looking her over, it is appreciated.

That was my entire intent, educational.

I could not zoom the previous photos tight enough, so those blow ups are really informative.  And the results are spectacular.

In the Stillwell photo, she's tied up to the pier, so she'd not be flying a call sign per se (a messenger can be sent over for communications).

Out on a mooring or on anchor, the call sign is hoisted so that if radio or signal lightcommunications are needed, the "address" for those will be available.  So, if a signall light starts blinking, then NACV knows that it's for them, and not someone further away or in a similar direction.

It's a subtle thing much colored by expereince.  On an LSD, there way more freeboard than draft, so the hull reacted to wind far more than curent when moored, so there was no guarantee which side of the ship would "face" a given direction, so the call sign was flown from both sides.

Doesn't take athing away from your build, not in the slightest.

Simply Superb! I hope all who perished on that day are looking with ear to ear smiles down on what you've accomplished.

Keavdog: Thanks bunches, but I was not a "ship guy" till recently. Normally I've always been a car guy. FSM group builds (GB's) have really got me engaged in other subjects. I have really learned a lot in these GB's.

HooYah Deep Sea: My most sincere thanks for your research and authentication assistance during the build.... and thank you for the kind words.

CapnMac82: Thanks for the clarification regarding the call sign pennants. I am still learning this naval stuff. I'm always grateful for my FSM friends who provide information to help me in my modeling. Now I need to determine if I am going to correct the call sign and anchor issues or call it done.

Jrock83: Thank you sir!, I hope so indeed....

Ben 

Beautifully done!

Tough kit to make look good and yours is wonderful.

Looks awesome.  Love your base also.  Top quality display piece.

Bob