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Cv-23
Hi All;
The purpose of this entry is to demonstrate the connection between research and accuracy and to give some idea why these models take so long. The basic notion underlying an undertaking like this is that any model can only be as accurate as the amount of information that the modeler brings to it. Research begins before the model is started , continues for the duration of the build and often continues beyond. Obviously, building a model straight from a kit is putting faith that the designer knew what he was doing. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't. The verification process is research. Having several such undertakings over the years, there are a number of lessons, which come to light. One is that there is no such thing as a perfect model. Ever! Moreover no one knows everything about a ship. It's the pursuit of a good model that drives one to be good at it and once you start out the process is cumulative. By the time you finish one, you probably know more about your model than anyone. You become your own worst critic because you know where your own mistakes are. So here we go, right from the real start.
From the beginning there are a couple of principles that are important. First: booklets of general plans are extracts done in smaller scale than the actual drawings usually in 1/192 scale. The original plans, generally in 1/48 scale, are usually loaded with alterations even before the keel is laid. Alterations vary in scale. They apply to the ship from keel laying to launch. They do not include any changes that occur during outfitting, or commissioning. Second: Getting accurate basic dimensions and converting them to the scale of your intended model is critical. Third: photographs are more reliable than drawings. That one is a real eye opener. You quickly discover that "authorities" frequently disagree with each other, and the visible results are quite variable, but you also get some idea of why. You are going to have to learn to make your own decisions. No two ships ever quite alike and no single ship stays the same for very long.
Just to give you some idea of the real thing, In the shop, is an original inboard profile drawing of The USS Lexington CV-2 in 1/48 scale. It's drawn on linen and very fragile from age. In 1/48 scale it is well over 18 feet long. The original set of plans, from Quincy shipbuilders, contains over 5500 drawings, from battle cruiser to launch as an aircraft carrier. NO! I'm not going to try that.
To start, get all the information you can in print and on line about the ship and it's class. See CV-23 2r. Don't sort. Just collect. Include drawings, photographs and models, commercial and scratch. When you have a pile, get some ordinary file folders. Put everything in print into a folder for the particular ship that you want to model. Put information about the class in another folder and another folder for markings and paint schemes. Have a folder for miscellaneous items. This is for information about guns, aircraft, rafts, boats directors, radar, searchlights, anchors and any other equipment that applies to the ship. Include notes, dimensions drawings and photos. It you have a computer follow the same process. There is an incredible amount of information on line. Keep notes of the web addresses of good sources. One of those notes was that CV-23 was reclassified to CVL-23 on July 15, 1944. She only spent about three months as a CVL.
Now, pick a particular moment in your ships career, for the model you want to build. Ships change constantly and you need to focus on a particular time. When you start to sort things out, you'll realize how important this is. Even though that decision hasn't been made yet, I'm already in trouble with CV-23, because the booklet of general plans shows a profile with five inch guns fore and aft. Photos clearly show that there were none on her shakedown cruise. The first ship in the class did have them, but they were almost immediately removed. That's why it's important to have information about other ships in the class.
Next step is to do your math homework. Get the general dimensions of the ship, waterline length, length over all, waterline beam, maximum beam, draft etc. Convert the dimensions to inches. From there you can accurately determine the scale of your build. This data comes in handy even for kit models. Since the drawings for CV-23 are going to be done on a computer, the first drawing is going to be a profile view to establish the scale. There are many more to come, but if you don't get this right there is foul weather ahead. Once the port profile is complete, the starboard profile is next, because profiles are rarely symmetrical. These are followed by a waterline plan and deck plan. From there, the bulkheads can be generated. At the moment, the only thing to show after a months' work is the start of a profile to verify dimensions for scale. See CV-23 1r. It is very crude and includes a couple of insets from CVL-26 to provide a basis for dealing with the fore and aft armament. There is an awful lot of cleaning up to do, but at least the waterline is straight.
Regards, rjccjr
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