Welcome Aboard, Jim! I'm sure that, like many of us, you are your own worst critic - because your Intrepid island looks gorgeous (particularly considering the starting-point, with that kit)!

And you are also not alone in completing (mostly) the island ahead of everything else - take a look at Sean McDermott's Shangri-La island; from yet another build of this classic mold, here at ModelFleet.

And here is where you're going to get assistance, as well as encouragement - to wit, this old Board Header:


Click on Image to Enlarge Click on this banner to reveal a really close look at the starboard-side of USS Yorktown's SCB-125 island, including the UNREP refuelling area. Although the hoses are gone now (up there at Patriot's Point), note the hose boom clearly remains, and I believe the hoses emerged stright out of the island, through the small, round scuttle(s), also visible right there, behind the boom. (On earlier fits, the hoses emerged from the hull-side (not shown), below the island).

As for the specific rigging and way the hoses were draped, I'm sure we can also find many good historical pics, as well - but I daresay that the eye (loop) on the short arm extending from the hull side, straight down from the tip of the boom, played a role in the hose deployment, as well.

So, here's already a start at encouraging you - and I daresay you came to the right place, Jim. Great to have you aboard, buddy!

Cheers,

-Matty