Conference vmszoo::rc

>    I'm looking for plans of the USS New Jersey in 
>     order to build a large scale version of that
>     Battleship or one of the same class.

Jim - on my last cruise in the Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea
we were on station with the New Jersey in the South China Sea.

On our way back to the states we were side by side with the
battleship from the Philippines to Hawaii.  Then some patrol
boat got shot down in Korea and the New Jersey had to turn
around and head to Korea via Japan where they had to stop in
to off load motorcycles (there decks were full of them as was
ours).

Anyway I don't know if I have any pictures of the battleship
but I'll check to see if I took any then.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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    	Gee Kay, why does the US Navy carry motorcycles on deck?
    (Maybe cause they won't fit below deck?)  Really though, what
    was the purpose of this?
    
    	Yours in curiosity,
    	Brian
    

>    	Gee Kay, why does the US Navy carry motorcycles on deck?
>    (Maybe cause they won't fit below deck?)  Really though, what
>    was the purpose of this?

In the 66-67 years because of the value of the dollar overseas
we could purchase cameras and stereos in Japan for 1/3 to 1/2 of
the price in the states.  Also with motorcycles.  So most ships would
stop in Japan and Hong Kong one last time just before heading back to
the states.  At that time large numbers of motorcycles were purchased.

We flew most active aircraft to the Philippines.
In Japan we picked up the Hondas, Yahamas, and Kawasakis.  In Hong Kong
we picked up BMWs, Triumphs, BSAs, and Nordons(sp).  Most of the Hong Kong
bikes came in large crates since we were at anchored.  At first they
would load bikes into the cargo holds, then into empty weapons storage
areas, then into the mess hall, then into the hanger deck.  

Folks were concerned about security so they stood guard duty on
the bikes during the return trip.  To make the point that everybody
who owned a bike stood watch, the Captain of our ship stood the first
watch after we were underway.  Then most of the air wing in the
Philippines flew back to the states.  We always had a lottery where
a few enlisted men could win a flight back in one of the squadron
aircraft.

Going to sea in an aircraft carrier is a lot like a giant Christmas
shopping trip to a mall.  It helped to have long at sea periods.  
Easier to shop when you have to spend a months pay in 2 days.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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    oh come now,
    
    Yes, pictures would be great for deck details.
     
    I guess I'll just reply to all of replies.
    
    Yes I have checked into plans , I even bought a model and tried
    to scale it up,but the parts were just to distorted to be of 
    any real use and the plans are not detailed enough to do any-
    thing with. But I'm still looking !
    
    If I'm not mistaken the New Jersey is an Iowa class B-ship
    but please don't quote me on that.
    (or maybe it is a missouri class , I can't remember- But
    I,ll know buy the end of the day.)
    
    That remark about the Marine's-----
    I was a Marine in Beirut in 1983 when the New Jersey had its
    first combat mission since it's recommision, which at the time
    was a welcome site, although I did not get any pictures.
    
    Buy the way , we don't fly out of cannons -> We just charge
    beachs loaded with machineguns with nothing but a pocket-knife.
    
                                        Ha,Ha
                                             Jim
                   

    Hey....I too was a Marine (73-78) and all the Navy did for us was
    get us sea-sick!  Then they put us out the backend of the ship like
    we was ca-ca.  Of course, the South Pacific sun was warm and pleasant.
    
    Ken

...
>Anyway I don't know if I have any pictures of the battleship
>but I'll check to see if I took any then.

Well - I looked thru 700+ slides (by hand - I sold my slide
projector a couple of years ago) and couldn't find any
of the New Jersey - sorry - I would have liked to seen them
myself.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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    	Check out battleship cove in Mass. They have the USS Massachusettes
    	which I believe is the same class as the Iowa, Missouri etc.
    	You may be able to get detailed plans there...if you live close
    	or in Mass.
    
    							Steve

    The New Jersey is an Iowa class battleship and one of four built.
    They are: Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, Wisconsin. All four have been
    re-commissioned in recent years and are in service. The Massachussetts
    is not the same class BB as the Iowa, having been built pre-war
    and is much smaller though mounting the same main armament (9 x
    16in 45 cal ).This class of BB is a ship modeling favorite . The
    scale you have chosen is uncommon(3/16in to 1 foot if my calculations
    are correct) since 1/8 in to 1 foot (1/96th actual) or 1/4 in to
    1 foot (1/48 th actual) is most popular. Many excellent fittings
    exist in the 1/8 and 1/4 scale- 20mm guns 40mm dual and quad, all
    sorts of watertight doors etc. but very few in the 3/16. You asked
    about plans---excellent plans for the iowa class can be obtained
    from The Floating Drydock co in kresgeville PA.  They specialize
    in plans ,reference books ,photos, fittings, and fibreglass hulls
    for WWII ships. Plans are most often USN official drawings and super
    detailed. I am building a 1/8 in scale Destroyer escort using plans
    from Floating  drydock.  For your model of the N.J.  I would advise
    you to go with 1/8 th in scale ...the model would still be over
    8 feet long since the N.J. is 886 ft x 108ft. If you want to get
    the Floating Drydock address call me at dtn 223 -7196 

    Thank's to Bob Kennedy I am on my way to building
    a large version of the New Jersey.
    
    I should start soon,my time is a little short right
    now,but I am gathering thing's that I'll need in
    the future.
    
    Thanks for all the help,and I'll try to keep you all
    updated as things progress.
    
    Jim/Semper Fi

    Glad to be of help ...let me know if you think I can do anything for
    you.  My current project ( research phase at the moment) is a 1/8 in
    scale destroyer escort FMR Edsall class. I am off to Texas to see/
    photograph extensively the USS Stewart DE 238. She is preserved as a
    memorial in Galveston Tx .  We will also stop by and visit the BB Texas
    in Houston.        Sempre Fi

Years ago when I worked civil service for the Navy, I was at the
Pacific Missile Range near Point Mugu, CA.  They'd bring in the
old Weary Willies for use as target ships.  I never got tired of
seeing them, and when a new one came in, I'd go and check it out.
Most were DD's from radar picket duty in the China Straits, but
some were DE's.

Damn those DE's were small! And this from one who would go
offshore in a 20 footer at the drop of a hat, without thinking
twice.   But the DE's...people (what was the normal company?)used
to go to war in them!  I would go to the pier and walk up and
down the length of one for my lunch hour and longer, just
wondering what it was like.  Probably very scary. 

I missed the chance of a lifetime.  I was working for the base
newspaper and was offered a chance to ride a chopper out to one
of them and walk around, then to go to a nearby island and watch
the shoot. But I had a doctor's appointment that day to check
over some damage from a recent sailing accident.  So I
reluctantly had to turn it down...the SOB looked at me for about
a minute and was done.  Regrets.

    small is right.....306 ft long and housing 4 x 1500 hp diesel engines
    plus 186 men.