USS Arizona

Thanks Phrog

I am in need of some help from anyone who may know. I'm working on the hull and that darn thing has dozens of windows but the only photos of the Arizona that I've come across do not show any detail of the windows on the hull. I have a photo of a plastic model but even then I don't know if it's framed in any way, if theres glass in it, nothing at all. Based on what I have seen I came up with this, see below screenshot. Does anyone know of anything else?

Thanks

Chris
 
Hi,

just going by probability, I'd assume that the windows are round because they are actually glass-covered portholes. They're quite close to the waterline and I see no way how any water taken in by them could be discarded right away. I'd even assume that windows maybe 2 decks up from the main deck would be portholes with watertight stel shutters available for them, at least on the forward part of the superstructure. I'd also assume that a (brass) frame for the porthole would be used, not quite flat with the surface of the plating, but slightly elevated, maybe an inch or half an inch.

But if anyone knows actual details, this would be a better help than mere probability.

Best regards,
Volker
 
The Arizona and similar classes of BBs did have many portholes. I don't think that on war ships they would have had any glass, but would have relied on steel shutters as Volker states above. Many war ships had their portholes plated over at some point in their service during rebuilds.

I will be visiting the Patriot's Point Navy Museum in Charleston this week while on vacation on the East Coast. I'll make a point of asking about this topic while there.
 
Chris - here are a couple of pics of the USS Pennsylvania that apperar to have been taken in November 1942 while undergoing repairs and modifications.

View attachment 90939 View attachment 90940

Also, and you may already be aware of this forum, below are some links to some very detailed large scale models and one link that, although lengthy, has some great detailed discussion, photos and info re Arizona's appearance and modifications at time of Pearl Harbour.

Links to Large Scale Model pics

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=135988

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=128105

Very interesting discussion of Arizona details with real photos and model photos of a 2-year build.

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=12942

Hope these are useful.

Steve
 
Thanks for the intel and help fellas.
I'm going to get it as close as I am able but that hull is giving me hell. Wild shapes to work with!
I have found so many photos of the Arizona and there seems to be 3 to 4 different configurations. I went with what I think is the best looking.
Below is a few screens of new parts added over the weekend.
 
USS Arizona under way

Hey Guys and Gals

I test compiled the Arizona today and believe it or not, NO errors:jump:. She's still work in progress but if things keep on like they are going she will be done soon. The I can start an aircraft carrier:salute:.
Here's a few screens of how she looks in the water and if you guys see anything, anything at all that does not look right or you have any suggestions please don't hesitate to let me know.
 
A real beauty all the way around.

Saw The Man in his chair. If you're not The Man, sit in the chair on penalty of death.

This was the prewar Navy - no choker whites?
 
Hi,

it might be worth a look: do the tripod masts end at the base of the platforms or do they continue in the inside. The thought occured to me that they might continue for a while and eventually meet at the base of the uppermost deck. If you look at the picture below, you may note that the rear of the platform either has no windows or is filled with something - possibly the tripod mast extending upwards.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h97000/h97380.jpg

View attachment 91737

Just wondering.

Best regards,
Volker
 
Volker Böhme said:
Hi,

it might be worth a look: do the tripod masts end at the base of the platforms or do they continue in the inside. The thought occured to me that they might continue for a while and eventually meet at the base of the uppermost deck. If you look at the picture below, you may note that the rear of the platform either has no windows or is filled with something - possibly the tripod mast extending upwards.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h97000/h97380.jpg

View attachment 91737




Best regards,
Volker
Click to expand...

Just wondering.


I'm unclear on that to be honest, I found a pic of a plastic model that had glass but that's all. I can't tell if they had glass or what but I can't see them leaving it open because I think I read that it had an "Upper Bridge". Also, any and all pic's of plastic models or the real girl shows tripod masts ending at the base.
 
NCGent said:
I'm unclear on that to be honest, I found a pic of a plastic model that had glass but that's all. I can't tell if they had glass or what but I can't see them leaving it open because I think I read that it had an "Upper Bridge". Also, any and all pic's of plastic models or the real girl shows tripod masts ending at the base.
Click to expand...

Hi,

I'm by far no expert on the Arizona, I just happened to notice it and spent maybe 10 minutes looking for pictures with the platforms on the masts. The problem, of course, is that the platforms are quite high above the waterline and any view of them is either tilted up a lot (you look through the windows at the ceiling, but not straight through) or from far away (no high reslolution). The series with the foremast partially collapsed is the one most rewarding in this respect. It doesn't show too much details, but it appears that the platform isn't just open space. That's about all I can say right now.

I wouldn't bet on plastic models. Their designer had the same problems you had and he had different structural issues than the naval achitect who designed the real thing.

Anyway, do as you please - it's an excellent model already.

Best regards,
Volker
 
The ship's looking beautiful, Chris. Outstanding work. I like that you have the machine guns mounted on the "bird bath" gun tub on the aft mast. That was my friend Harvey Milhorn's General Quarters station, he was up there manning the guns when the ship exploded.
 
TB, since you are nominally my age, it would appear that your friend survived the experience! I had a friend who as a young man fresh out of boot camp went aboard the newly commissioned Hornet. He was on it the whole year it was in commission, when Doolittle launched his bombers, Midway and Santa Cruze. Amazing year!

Regards. T
 
I can check some of my sources, but I would expect that the tripod masts continue upwards through the structure. Portholes were generally 12 and 18 inches in diameter, and had a steel backing plate that was hinged and was dogged closed for GQ or heavy weather. Some in conning stations had slits such that some battle visibility was still available. Examples were the bridges of Essex Carriers and Fletcher Destroyers.

Cheers. T
 
fliger747 said:
TB, since you are nominally my age, it would appear that your friend survived the experience! I had a friend who as a young man fresh out of boot camp went aboard the newly commissioned Hornet. He was on it the whole year it was in commission, when Doolittle launched his bombers, Midway and Santa Cruz. Amazing year!
Regards. T
Click to expand...

Harvey was able to climb down from the bird bath later in the day when the fires subsided, and was among the last of the Arizona survivors to abandon ship. He stayed in the Navy as a GM (Gunner's Mate) and even did a tour in Vietnam at Com7thFlt Det Charlie in Saigon. One of his prized souvenirs from the Arizona was a shard of dinner china from Adm. Kidd's flag mess, it was given to him by one of the salvage divers.
 
Here's some pics of USS Texas, taken a few years ago. She has the same sort of tripod mast arrangement. The windows had "shutters" of some sort, so the fact that you can't see the mast poles through may not be significant.


 
I listened to your suggestions and made some changes to a few thing, you will be able to see them in the screen shots. Few more days and I should be done with her.

Chris
 
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