Calling all New Mexico-class (BB-40) fans

[Haijun watcher]

Just received the Idaho in the mail today.

The instructions with the Classic Warships Idaho kit clearly says the kit is supposed to depict the ship in "February 1945" .

On comparing various Navsource pics of Idaho, a 1942 version of the Idaho seems more feasible to me than a 1942 Mississippi or a 1944 Mississippi, since the topmost level of the Idaho's superstructure seems more enclosed than her sisters.

Navsource pics from as early as August 1942 seem to show this enclosed bridge superstructure. Whereas, that boxy, enclosed level is not yet seen in January 1942 pictures like this one.

Here is a Navsource picture from December 1943 that shows all 3 sisters tied up alongside, with Idaho being the leftmost/portmost BB with pennant #42. Notice the more enclosed topmost level of her superstructure or the "smaller opening" on Idaho while those on her sisters were wider.

[Guest]

Those guns were replaced by single 5"/38 mounts. Navsource has lots of reference pics.

[Haijun watcher]

what about the gun deck where the 5"51cal & 5"25cal guns are located in 42 that those guns are not located in 45?

Isn't there a Skywave USN parts set with extra parts from where I can get 5'51s and 5'25s? I have one of the weapons parts sets.

Anyways, I have another question.

On the USS Idaho's Navsource photo index, there are at least 2 photos, which I posted below, which seem to show her in MS21 for the later half of 1942.

However, the Shipcamouflage database on USN battleships clearly lists Idaho as having MS12 modified.

I am guessing either the photos below have been mislabelled or she really was in MS21 or some other paint scheme that had one color.

USS Idaho port side, Dec. 1942


USS Idaho starboard side, Dec. 1942

[MartinJQuinn]

By this time in 1942, she most likely would have been overall Navy Blue.

[Haijun watcher]

Haijun watcher, what time period of 1942 do you want to do her?

I actually prefer to do June 1942, but NavSource seems to only have pics of her from Jan. 1942, August 1942 and Dec. 1942.

The Jan. 1942 pic shows only a port side closeup of the superstructure but not the whole ship in modified MS12 which I'm looking for.

[Haijun watcher]

Gents,

What's a good source where one can get photos of USS Idaho in the modified MS12 scheme she wore in early 1942?

The only NavSource photo I can find of her in MS 12 is just a closeup of her port side near the bridge superstructure.

I really need pictures of her starboard side and the rest of the MS12 pattern.

Or should I just copy the New Mexico pattern posted on the previous page of this thread?

Wasn't each ship's respective MS12 pattern unique?

[MartinJQuinn]

Idaho in a floating drydock, Pacific 1944:

[Jeff Sharp]

Gents,

What's a good source where one can get photos of USS Idaho in the modified MS12 scheme she wore in early 1942?

The only NavSource photo I can find of her in MS 12 is just a closeup of her port side near the bridge superstructure.

I really need pictures of her starboard side and the rest of the MS12 pattern.

Or should I just copy the New Mexico pattern posted on the previous page of this thread?

Wasn't each ship's respective MS12 pattern unique?

Hi Haijun,
Unfortunately there are no known photos at this time of either Idaho or Mississippi wearing this paint measure besides the close up yard shots. I was lucky to stumble across some film of Mississippi that I shared on the previous page.
Each ship was uniquely camouflaged so you can't just copy the pattern from the other two ships.

[Daytona675R]

I sent an e-mail to the producer of Samek Models whether they are planning to release some ships of the New Mexico class. The response:

"Of course we do. Most likely in the beginning of the next year."

Which is AWESOME.

[MartinJQuinn]

Imperial War Museum photo of Idaho in Iceland, October 1941

Imperial War Museum A5941

[starman1950]

Hi I'm Walter
I am new to the forums and I have enjoyed the discussion on the New Mexico sisters. I have done armor for years but I am relatively new to ship models.
I cant find any kits for Mississippi at this time if you know of any please post them. I am a stranger to resin kits I'm good with plastic and have done some scratch building (BB-23 Mississippi).

For those of you who may be interested there is a large scale model of Mississippi in the state I am not sure of the exact location it was located in the War Memorial building in Jackson MS. but someone told me they had moved it to the military museum on Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg MS. I will try to find out and let you know.

on the bench 1/350 Dreadnought 1918

[MartinJQuinn]

Hi I'm Walter
I am new to the forums and I have enjoyed the discussion on the New Mexico sisters. I have done armor for years but I am relatively new to ship models.
I cant find any kits for Mississippi at this time if you know of any please post them. I am a stranger to resin kits I'm good with plastic and have done some scratch building (BB-23 Mississippi).

Hi Walter. Welcome!

You'll find a list of available kits on the first page of this topic: viewtopic.php?f=47&t=7876#p84732

[starman1950]

Thanks for the info looks like most of the Mississippi models are out of production or too expensive for me. Looks like its scratch building for me. Does any one know of any good building plans in 1/350?

For anyone interested there is a very large model of the Mississippi on display at Mississippi Armed Forces Museum on Camp Shelby in the Second World War gallery . It is currently closed but they hope to reopen soon. The model is as she was after the major modernization.

Thanks

On the bench 1/350 trumpeter Dreadnought 1818.

[starman1950]

The model is of the Missy as of the 1931 rebuild, don't know the scale but it is BIG. The ship I will build is 1/350 scale 1944 time frame (Battle of Leyte Gulf).

[ArmchairAdmiral]

Would certainly be nice if someone like Trumpeter would release one or more of the NMs in 1/700, especially since they've done "obscurities" like Colorado and late-war Maryland. It still seems hard to believe no one has attempted this class in plastic yet.

I might even settle for a cleanup/reissue of the Midship kits....

[ArmchairAdmiral]

Nice, though that's waayy more scratchbuilding than I'm up for.

[ModelMonkey]

I'll be designing 3D-printed New Mexico class superstructures late this year. It should help modelers who, like David, are kit-bashing a Pennsylvania class hull. It will be made available in 1/426 (1/429 true scale) and 1/350.

14" turrets are available now in 1/350, 1/426 and 1/700. New Mexico class 14" turrets were slightly different than Tennessee class turrets. A special set of 5"/38 single mounts for USS Idaho is available in 1/350 scale. Idaho had a mix of different types of 5" single-gun mounts later in the war. Any of these sets can probably be made available in other scales.

1/700 14" turrets: http://shpws.me/Pd0c
1/426 14" turrets: http://shpws.me/Pdaq
1/350 14" turrets: http://shpws.me/PdjK

1/350 5" mounts: http://shpws.me/PiXO

[ArmchairAdmiral]

Steve,
Could you do those NM superstructures in 1/700, like you did for the Dragon Arizona?

[ModelMonkey]

Steve,
Could you do those NM superstructures in 1/700, like you did for the Dragon Arizona?

Yes.

[Haijun watcher]

Steve,
Could you do those NM superstructures in 1/700, like you did for the Dragon Arizona?

Yes.

But what can we use for the hull?

Unless we use and heavily modify the hulls for the 1/700 Trumpeter Colorado/Tennessee class kits or 1/700 Hobby Boss Arizona kits.