The Ship Model Forum

Purchase of the Trumpeter 1:200 MISSOURI kit took place the last week of Nov. 2013. I received the kit today, Dec. 05, and began to access what was needed to turn this into a model of USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) in her 1967-69 configuration.

As for reference materials, I will be using various sources in order to obtain the best information possible for this project. They include, but are not limited to:

USS MISSOURI Plan Book – 1945 - The Floating Drydock
Battleship NEW JERSEY – Paul Stillwell
IOWA Class Battleships - Robert Sumrall
United States Battleships, 1935-1992 - W.H. Garzke, Jr. & R.O. Dulin, Jr.
Photoetching for the Plastic Ship Modeler - Loren Perry
Dreadnaught Returns & Dreadnaught Farewell – Neil Leifer
Dreadnaught 68-69 - 1968-69 USS NEW JERSEY Cruise Book – LTJG J.T. Vernallis, Editor
USS NEW JERSEY – The Navy’s Big Guns – Neil Leifer
Warship Data – USS MISSOURI (BB-63)
Warship Data – USS IOWA (BB-61)
The IOWA Class Battleships – Malcolm Muir
U.S. Battleships – An Illustrated Design History – Norman Friedman

USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) Plans –
Floating Drydock – Deck Plan/Sheer Elevation – 1967 – Tom Walkowiak
Floating Drydock – G Series, from U.S. Navy Plan Book

In addition to the plans/publications listed above, I will be referencing photos taken by myself aboard NEW JERSEY and those of Tom Fally in visits to MISSOURI (BB-63) in Pearl Harbor, HI.

The model will be bashed as necessary to achieve the 1967 renovations made to NEW JERSEY at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Those include: removal of all 40mm AA batteries, removal of various HVAC ventilators and repositioning; the addition of the UHF antenna on the bow of the ship, addition of the 4 ABM Chaff Launchers (modified Zuni Rocket pods), modification to the forward fire control tower with addition of the ECM suite, modifications to the forward/aft masts and radars, addition of the helo pad on the fantail and supporting equipment, and various other minor changes made to the ship at that time.

In addition to the basic kit, Teak Decking will be installed over the kit deck on the main deck and 01-04 levels as well as photoetched details will be utilized in place of plastic parts from the kit. These are or will be provided from a third party vendor. Vendors under consideration are:

Pontos – Teak Deck & PE Detail Set
Scaledecks – Uncut Teak Deck sections as necessary
Nautilus Models – Uncut Teak Deck sections as necessary
Toms Modelworks – PE Doors & Hatches, Upright Stairs & Ladders, and various other PE deck equipment and fittings
Gold Medal Models – 1:200 scale U.S. Navy Decals (purchased)

At this point I've done an initial assessment of the kit and have a couple observations to make:

1) The PE provided in the kit has been evaluated for it's strength (thickness) and may be used where appropriate. In addition, the Pontos Teak Deck Detail Set may be purchased for the 01-04 Level decks and PE equipment - the main deck is not suitable for this build. Under consideration is the uncut Teak Decking from Scaledecks which will be fashioned for the main deck of the model.

2) Kit provided decals are deemed not suitable for this build - GMM decals were purchased and will be incorporated throughout.

I am still looking over choices for solvent based paints to be used (Haze Grey/Deck Grey). I've decided on Gundam Mr. Color #29 – Hull Red (Bottle) and GSI Creos Mr. Color Hull Red (Spray) for used on the models bottom.

In addition, PE from Toms Modelworks for ladders, doors, and hatches will more than likely be purchased to augment those provided in the kit.

So, for the initial "eyes-on" of the kit, I'm fairly satisfied with what I've seen so far.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hmmm...

Now this is going to be an interesting thread to follow. There aren't many photos of the kit's parts that I've been able to run down on the Internet thus far, maybe I'm doing it wrong.

Good luck with the build!

_________________
Sean Nash, ACG (aircraft camo gestapo)

On the ways:
1/200 Trumpeter HMS Nelson
1/700 Tamiya USS Yorktown CV-5

In the stash:
1/35 Italiari PT-109
1/35 Tamiya "Pibber" Patrol Boat
1/350 Trumpeter USS Yorktown CV-10

Can't wait to see this one, good luck man!!! Popcorn and beer at the ready, you may proceed

_________________
Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984

Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984

Thanks, Sean - You're not doing it wrong - I don't think many have posted any kit pictures - at least I've not been able to see some of them, others come thru real nice.

Cliffy B - Nice to have your attention, Sir! Tom F. has mentioned you as a possible source to visit M-M in your capacity as a docent - This will indeed be a large undertaking, much different from my last project, BUT more rework, modification, and mental strategy involved here.

Is the popcorn buttered?

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Cliffy B -

You may have me keelhauled now - I mistook your docentship as being with MISSOURI instead of WISCONSIN - my apologies - I'll pay for popcorn!!!

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

On paints: any reason why the Model Master enamels won't work? Their Neutral Grey is a 1:1 scale match for haze grey, and Gunship Grey for deck grey: viewtopic.php?f=69&t=104955#p494931

_________________
De quoi s'agit-il?

Don't worry about man....but NEXT time....

I'll help anyway I can given the fit differences between our ladies.

I'll echo Timmy on the MM paints! They make both colors in enamel and acrylic and I can attest to their accuracy.

_________________
Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984

Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984

Timmy C and Cliffy B,

Now if this were a poetry forum - what I could do with that

Guys - Thanks - Indeed your suggestion re. the MM greys is taken and I will investigate this next. I had bookmarked the Tester's site at work and will seriously consider your comments. I've purchased the red (bottle/spray) for the bottom and the blacks/whites will probably be either Floquil flat sprays or MM flat sprays. I've had nice results from those paints in recent builds.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

As for the gray paints - I've ordered Master Modeler Light Sea Gray (bottle/spray) for the Haze Gray vertical surfaces, Master Modeler Gunship Gray (bottle/spray) for the Deck Gray horizontal surfaces. These two colors were available in both spray and bottle and that was the determining factor. I consulted the Tester's comparison chart on their website and the Lt. Sea Gray was very close to the Neutral Gray, which was not offered in a spray. In addition, I've ordered flat white, flat black bottles in the Master Modeler Series, as well.

Still waiting on the Teak Deck samples from Scaledecks but I've already thought of a way to incorporate their uncut decking for use on the main deck - this will entail CAD drafting the shape of the main deck (actual wood areas) exact size and then printing this out. Adhesive spray glue to hold the pattern in place and then cutting out from the uncut deck piece. I've considered actually putting the deck on the ship upside down and adhering the teak to that side, thus eliminating the sanding flush of all raised areas molded into the deck, but I'm not completely sold on that idea. The other side of the coin is to draw up the paper pattern with all raised areas (hatches), etc. drawn in as cutouts. I may do this first, and see what kind of fit I get. I do know there will be some sanding off of minor items. Pre-formed holes in the deck that are deemed necessary will obviously be drilled out in the teak decking, as well.

Styrene plastic rods, squares, and bars I horded for years will now finally be used (if needed) on this build.

That brings us up to date.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Man Hank, that's a lot of swag and an ambitious plan! I can't wait to see her go together!

_________________
-Jason Channell

Current Project: 1/200 Bismarck

Jason,

Thanks for the support - yea, a major undertaking, to be sure. But, keeps me off the streets at night

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hey BB62vet, i was talking with someone about the same project tonight. Great minds think alike and so do ours. I did a 68 version in 1:350 which is aboard the NJ in Camden. However the staff at one point right after i delivered her messed up the mast both fore and aft by tipping the glass case i had on it at the time. It has never been fixed.

I did enjoy building that one most of the five i made for them. I think a 1:200 would look good.
Keep us posted here,

Keith

Keith,

Ha - I've seen your model aboard ship - VERY nice job

I was in the process of modifying the Life-Like MISSOURI (1:350) into NJ 68 in the mid-90s and my paints dried up and I never got far enough along to get to the masts. I am considering putting all that 1:350 stuff I have (3 kits including the Tamiya NJ and MO) on the trader's forum for sale. I'll never get back to that stuff.

I appreciate your interest and thanks for the support!

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

I received the ordered plans from Floating Drydock today. Now I have an order/delivery timeline and will order the drydocking plans and other details next week.

I also received the spray/bottle paint for the bottom and await the gray paints and other colors from Hobbylinc.

For modernizing the superstructure, I will refer to these upper level plans and using a 1:200 scale should be able to cut all the necessary parts from styrene to scale (when it comes to this stage of construction).

I have drawn up in CAD the main deck and after printing yesterday, will check over for all necessary details (I do know I need to add deck holes that I missed on the first pass). Once I have completed all the upper level wood decking plans and corrected them, they will go to Scaledecks for their consultation to see if it works for their purpose and the cost to produce decking for my project.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hank:

Sounds like good organized progress. Perhaps if your deck works out Scale Decks will offer it as an option. Are these cut and scribed using a laser? I still need to add the loading hatches for the 16" ordinance. In Stilwell's book (page 7) there is a photo of a 16" shell being lowered through the deck, interestingly enough there is a circular rim about 6-8" high around the hatch, on Missouri the hatches are flush. Makes me wonder if the photo is a generic Battleship photo.

Looking forward to see how the deck turns out!

Regards: Tom

Tom,

Do you know the time period on the photo? I know all of BB-64's are flush BUT they are raised slightly above the deck with the wood sloping up to the hatch. I can take some photos if you'd like.

_________________
Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984

Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984

Stillwell does not give a date for that one, might not even be on an Iowa! I have photos of the loading hatches forward. It is interesting how the wood, as you say, slightly slopes upward around the hatch.

Cheers: Tom

Tom, Cliffy B -

I'll be back in touch w/Scaledecks when I have something to send them (CAD dwg). As for the 16" projectile scuttle in the main deck, I'll look in the books I have - I do recall a similar photo taken while we were at sea on NJ while striking ammo below following at sea rearming evolutions.

I also received the other order of paint today from Hobbylinc, so one step closer to having things in order.

Hank

_________________
HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48

Hank:

I do have photos of the loading hatches, there is one just fwd and stbd of the #2 turret barbette on the main deck and another under the overhang of the # 1 turret both port and stbd. On BB63 the port side hatch in front of the barbette has been planked over. They are more or less flush with the deck slightly egg shaped as the hinges are set on a tab extending off of the circular hatch. Just off hand about 36" in diameter.

Keel blocks. There is a pdf version of the Missouri Grounding report available and Stillwell has a section about this in his Missouri book. Some decent views of the keel blocks which are cement cubes about 3' with two sets of timbers dogged to their tops to make up about a 4 ft tall block. About 1/4" in 1:200.

Cheers: Tom

Not to sound like an impudent wretch, but are you going to take some photographs of the box contents, Hank? It would be gratifying to see what you think of the provided details alongside what you plan to chop up in order to convert the kit into your old stamping grounds.

_________________
Sean Nash, ACG (aircraft camo gestapo)

On the ways:
1/200 Trumpeter HMS Nelson
1/700 Tamiya USS Yorktown CV-5

In the stash:
1/35 Italiari PT-109
1/35 Tamiya "Pibber" Patrol Boat
1/350 Trumpeter USS Yorktown CV-10