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1/200 USS Arizona - Build Log

Hi Steve,
I hope you don't mind me posting questions on your build log, but just wondering if the docking keels on Arizona were tapered like the photo below.
USS New York sinking in 1948.

View attachment 514918
Hi Brian,
No, I don't mind, but always feel free to message me directly as well.
Yes, research points to the docking keels having tapered edges, and varying heights to ensure the ship sat flat on the keels once in dry dock (see below drawing).
That's a pretty good photo, albeit sadly the wrong way up for that ship. Do you know which ship it was?

Docking keels - 1.jpg
 
read the last line of Bryian's post "USS New York sinking in 1948."
"Too radioactive for scrapping or a memorial in her home state, the ship was sunk as a target on 8 July 1948 off Hawaii. She is shown here bottom up in her final moments."
Bryian, Steve got the docking keel plans from me if you need them for your model.
 
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A little historical departure:

The lovely painting of Arizona posted above got me thinking. With the notable exceptions of Arizona and Oklahoma, I believe that the U.S. Navy was fortunate that the battle fleet was not caught at sea by the Japanese. Six of the sunken ships were refloated and eventually returned to service where several fought successfully at Leyte Gulf. The Japanese were ready to fight. The Americans were not.

Roger
 
A little historical departure:

The lovely painting of Arizona posted above got me thinking. With the notable exceptions of Arizona and Oklahoma, I believe that the U.S. Navy was fortunate that the battle fleet was not caught at sea by the Japanese. Six of the sunken ships were refloated and eventually returned to service where several fought successfully at Leyte Gulf. The Japanese were ready to fight. The Americans were not.

Roger
There was a 2 part Youtube video on the salvage operations. I found it very interesting.
Not sure if the link will work but you can search

The Salvage of Pearl Harbor Pt 1 - The Smoke Clears​

 
Blast Bags?

Been a bit quiet with updates of late, but still picking away at my build. As anyone who has built this model will know, the kit supplied blast bags for the main armament don't really cut it. I got some aftermarket ones from Mk1, but they were not easy to work with and a bit oversized (in my humble opinion). So did some browsing a found a reference to the use of Blu-Tac as a medium. So have had a play and, must admit, on first pass it doesn't look too bad. Very easy to mould with a narrow pick and, once in the shape, etc. you want, simply bush some CE over the Tac to set it. I'll post another picture of a 'finished' product once I have one.

Keen to hear if any other members may have used this, or a similar, method. :)

Blast Bags.jpeg
 
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