Calling all USS Barnegat-class seaplane tender (AVP) fans

[NukeMM]

I found these images to wonderful surprises when I received new copies of two more micro film reels from the NARA for the Barnegat class AVPs.

These plans show the layout for the non-skid for each "flight" of AVPs. Some are different from others.

This one is for the USS Timbalier AVP-54 and USS Valcour AVP-55 where the areas indicated by double arrow lines are to be "Abrasive Cloth Cleats" which I'm assuming are the rectangular sandpaper like strips. (Please confirm, anyone.)



This one is from a page indicating non-skid patterns for the other ships of the class with details for where it may vary from one "flight" to the other. I can't make out the text for what the hatch-cross pattern is indicating but, I'm thinking that it is for a gravel-paint type of non-skid mix that is rolled or brushed all over the deck where indicated.

I haven't seen anything indicating the color of either type of non-skid medium. Might be in the Painting Schedule that also exists on these micro film reels. The gravel-paint type might actually be the "Deck Blue" paint with a texture added to it.

[NukeMM]

This is another valuable and important detail for the whale boats on AVPs. They were modified to carry bowser tanks for draining and re-filling lube oil for seaplanes.

Another plan has basic procedures for the process of refueling seaplanes from either the stern of the ship or from bowser refueling boats.

A larger 1,600 gallon bowser tank is placed in a 40' launch in order to refuel the planes.

The odd thing is, and its probably a safety thing, but the boats are placed in the water and then the bowser tanks are lowered into the boats and then filled from hoses. The boats are not to be raised or lowered with the tanks in them. The tanks are stowed in foundation frames in the amidships area near the boats.

[Bigdaddy Mark]

Carl I'm not trying to hurry you at all. I think your doing great after your ordeal.

I do have a question though. On your covered railings around the searchlight, how do you do those? I've tried the white glue thing, but when I roll them it peals off. I must be doing something wrong.

Thanks again.

[NukeMM]

Carl I'm not trying to hurry you at all. I think your doing great after your ordeal.

I do have a question though. On your covered railings around the searchlight, how do you do those? I've tried the white glue thing, but when I roll them it peals off. I must be doing something wrong.

Thanks again.

Oh, no. I felt no pushing or rushing from your remarks, Mark. No worries, there.

Sounds like you are applying the glue before bending the rails, right?

I bend the rails and attach them, and paint them first. And then "brush" on the white glue, or most often, Krystal Klear which is a little thicker and doesn't run out of the gaps in the rails. It is always a tricky step, for me. Sometimes sloppy on the inboard side of the rail.

Three-bar rails work better than two-bar rails, I find. The gap between the rails is smaller and the glue doesn't have to stretch so far and are easier to fill, the first time.

With the rails already painted before the white glue, the canvas color can be painted on the outboard side and the inboard side shows the rail detail. Kind of cool, I think.

I got lucky at my first try at canvas rails when I used thin CA glue by fully gluing a section of railing to a piece of brass sheet, totally filling the gaps between the rails. When the glue cured, I scraped the railing from the brass sheet and the glue stayed between the rails. I haven't used this technique, since.

Here's the CA glue result above the visor of the bridge on my first AVP model, the USS Duxbury Bay.

[Bigdaddy Mark]

I'll give that a try this weekend! I was laying the railing out on wax paper, putting the glue in the gaps, and it looked great. Then when I try and roll it I end up with the glue peeling off. This has been my big holdup for the Laffey build. I don't like the kit's search light tub, and I wanted to make sure I could do it right before I started. The kit is outstanding, but the searchlight tub looked bad. It's been in the box for a year now, and I knew if I kept snooping around someone would have a good picture of it done right. I bet I did fifty tries at it, don't know why I didn't think of bending it first. I guess I didn't think it would stay in the gaps. I also like the idea of painting the railing first.

Oh man if this works I may start the Laffey before I finish the Vicksburg. Just what I need is having two kits going at once. I have enough trouble keeping track of the one I'm on. LOL

[NukeMM]

I'll give that a try this weekend! I was laying the railing out on wax paper, putting the glue in the gaps, and it looked great. Then when I try and roll it I end up with the glue peeling off. This has been my big holdup for the Laffey build. I don't like the kit's search light tub, and I wanted to make sure I could do it right before I started. The kit is outstanding, but the searchlight tub looked bad. It's been in the box for a year now, and I knew if I kept snooping around someone would have a good picture of it done right. I bet I did fifty tries at it, don't know why I didn't think of bending it first. I guess I didn't think it would stay in the gaps. I also like the idea of painting the railing first.

Oh man if this works I may start the Laffey before I finish the Vicksburg. Just what I need is having two kits going at once. I have enough trouble keeping track of the one I'm on. LOL

The glue can tend to settle down along the bottom edge of the rail. As it dries, I try to use a small brush or tooth pick to scrape away the glue that puddles up on the inboard side of the rail.

[NukeMM]

I found some video footage of two AVPs on "Critical Past".

USS Valcour AVP-55 / AGF-1 in 1967 in the Red Sea. One of three AVPs rotating duty as flagship for Commander Middle East Forces.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... oke-coming

USS Greenwich Bay AVP-41. This ship was one of the three AVPs that were flagships for Commander Middle East Forces, too. Here, at the end of this video, she is in 1950 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has lost her forward Quad 40mm gun, already.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... r-spinning

[NukeMM]

I'm back on the horse, today. First modeling since my surgery on Christmas Eve.

I've finished two more PT Boats that were about 90% done already and I've permanently attached them to the base, in their places in the nest of boats. They just need some mooring lines.

A third boat is now done and will be approaching the nest from astern (not yet attached) and I've laid out its wake with Liquitex which when dried clear, should present a nice ripple effect for a slow moving boat. Some touch up of the wake may be necessary, later. I'll do this same wake technique for the whale boat that is departing the tender on the starboard side.

[Cliffy B]

Alright! Glad to see you're back at it. Fantastic job on some seriously overlooked subjects

[Bigdaddy Mark]

Looks good Carl! Nice to see your updates again!

[NukeMM]

The Liquitex wake has dried........





Mooring lines are done on these 4 boats.............

[Bigdaddy Mark]

Wow!

[NukeMM]

I'm glad that you like my little PT Boats, Mark.

I've taken a break from those and I've been working on some custom parts for another Barnegat class AVP configuration. I think this one might be the USS Valcour AVP-55 or USS Greenwich Bay AVP-41.

[NukeMM]

[Russ2146]

Carl,

You've gotten really good at fabricating varying height gun tub splinter shields. They'd make great masters for resin molds.

[bwross11]

Carl,
The newest project is looking very good; and the PT's are really sweet. You Sir are on a roll!!!

Keep up the good work shipmate.

Bruce

[NukeMM]

Thanks, Russ! Thanks, Bruce!

I've been getting lucky, so far.

This latest one is a 5" gun tub for AVP 25 & 26 USS Coos Bay and USS Half Moon. The blast shield is unique on these two ships. Aft of this 5" gun is another one on the fantail deck. I've created a new compartment for beneath this tub, as well. And the O1 deck has to be modified to fit this configuration, too.

This drawing certainly came in handy. The drawing shows a solid splinter shield but, it was deleted and a canvas covered railing was place in its stead. This custom piece's splinter shield (if cast in resin) could be clipped off and railings installed.

[NukeMM]

[Bigdaddy Mark]

Incredible work Carl!

In the last picture is that a bowser tank that you were talking about earlier?

[Russ2146]

Carl,
The external ribs on the fuel bowser. Are they part of the bowser or clamps to hold it to the deck when the bowser is not in use?