Posted by Matty
on September 27, 2009, 14:12:45, in reply to "Of Planked Decks and Pointy Bits: The EARLY-FIT ESSEXES"
Message modified by board administrator September 28, 2009, 10:37:14
This may sound like an esoteric or geek-enized 
topic, but it is actually one required at the present stage in my USS Boxer build. What I need to determine is an accurate - or, at lest plausible (see below) - layout of all the holes, hatches, doors and scuttles along the sides of her flight deck; leading from the catwalks inside, to the gallery:
Click on Image to Enlarge
This is only the beginning of the complexity in identifying these piercings; there were several more types clearly apparent alongside Essex flight decks:
Click on Image to Enlarge
Yet another type of archway - and yet more to the point, documented for Boxer - is seen in this example, from exactly the same forward-starboard area:
Click on Image to Enlarge
Moreover, note even in this closeup much of the bulkhead is obscured by float-net baskets, radio aerials, etc. - a common occurrence in historical pics and - maddeningly - a (copout) feature of virtually all drawings I have seen, as well. Nevertheless, on a model - particularly in 1/525 scale - the typical view from well above the flight deck will reveal these openings clearly, where they were distinctive on the Essexes.
So - despite the above proof that piercings were not identical on all ships (certainly at least not between different fits) - we are left with the endeavor to cobble together a decent generalized layout for them, employing all available Essex-class pics. Some of which clearly show the above high, wide-type archway on (probably most, if not all) early-fit Essexes:
Click on Image to Enlarge
Nevertheless, already at a minimum we have observed at least four distinct types of piercings, whose statures I will label "tall" for between about half- and two-thirds-height, or "short" when roughly half that high:
- Tall square arch
- Short oval hatch (scuttle?)
- Short square arch
And again, the short piercings can occur high-, low- or midway up the bulkhead, relative to the level of the catwalk.
A helluva lot bigger research project than I originally bargained for! But - especially given my interest in additional Essex-class builds in the future, not to mention all your various Essex-class builds, already in progress - I think this will be effort well spent, all around.
I have already divided the total Essex flight deck perimeter into 8 segments, each of whose piercings I will document, and attempt to lay out accurately - or, failing that, at least plausibly - in generalized drawings for the entire class. Look for installments on each of these appearing as "responses", below.
And of course, if you have any good graphic references - for any Essex carrier, in any fit - give me a shout, and I will incorporate it here, and/or post a copy.
Cheers,
-Matty
Responses:
