USA - Montana Class Battleship

[BB1987]

One thing to note is that the sky lookout chair and target designators are "mid-war" inventions that generally seem to come about in 1943 (though I could be (and usually am) very wrong about this).

I saw them on the 1942 North Carolina/Washington drawings, so I thought it would have been ok to feature them on their thirs successors, even on the earlier fits.

Re: constantly changing parts sheets, I haven't "changed" any of the parts on it for a while - I've only been adding new stuff.

I admit I was deliberatley exaggerating thins a bit just for the purpose of making a joke . Still, I suppose that some of the new stuff you've added recently might need to be added to the 1945 drawing.

Re: colombamike's suggestions - they are just suggestions. You obviously aren't required to draw everything he wants.

I know it well, the point is that I want to check if, and in case which of, the aforementioned suggestions are correct, and eventually which are not. If something proves to be correct it is the better for the drawing to show it, for example, it is undeniable that Mike has a very good eye for smaller details and AA-guns.


Well, here are all the USS Montana drawings so far...

BB-65, Scheme 3 (1940) - early WIP (lacks light AA and boat complement with crane)


BB-65, Scheme 4 (1940) - advanced WIP (lacks light AA and minor details)


BB-65, Scheme 8 (1940) - advanced WIP (lacks minor details)

Interestingly, the Scheme 8 Montana is by far the largest warship based on actual plans i've ever drawn here on the bucket.

BB-67, 1940-41 fit. (finalized design) - tentatively completed.


BB-67, 1942 fit. (as approved and ordered) - tentatively completed.


BB-67, 1942-43 fit. (last configuration as canceled) - tentatively completed.


BB-67, 1945 (early completion date) - tentatively completed.


BB-67, 1948 (late completion date) - tentatively completed, except for the outdated SR-2 radar soon to be replaced thanks to Erik_t.



Mike, rest assured that I've not ditched part of your suggestions without pondering on them, I had my reasons for doing so. I can explain you, if you want.



Here is an extra, the 1940/41 fit with Measure 1 camouflage.

[emperor_andreas]

Very nice work!

[Colosseum]

I saw them on the 1942 North Carolina/Washington drawings, so I thought it would have been ok to feature them on their thirs successors, even on the earlier fits.

Naturally finding information on "when" the Mk.1 Mod.1 target designator would have been installed is next to impossible. My plans of BB-55 in 1942 do NOT show the target designators (at any position), and I had always sort of believed they were a mid-to-late war appearance. The presence of the sky lookout chair is probably fine, but I'm just not sure about the target designators... when in doubt I just don't show things.

I admit I was deliberatley exaggerating thins a bit just for the purpose of making a joke . Still, I suppose that some of the new stuff you've added recently might need to be added to the 1945 drawing.

Yes of course. I'll make a Colombamike sheet later for the proper locations for some of the RCM gear etc if you want.

[BB1987]

The presence of the sky lookout chair is probably fine, but I'm just not sure about the target designators... when in doubt I just don't show things.

I'll remove the target designator from all the pre-1942 drawings then, it will be a quick and easy job.

I'll make a Colombamike sheet later for the proper locations for some of the RCM gear etc if you want.

Thanks

[Colosseum]

Here's the RCM fit suggestions:

[ghost792]

The Montana sure looks mean in Measure 1.

[maomatic]

Outstanding work on this American behemoth!
A very interesting and informative thread.

[Colosseum]

Once I get home tonight, going to spend some time creating my own "1944" version with camouflage etc. I can't resist the temptation!

[BB1987]

Once I get home tonight, going to spend some time creating my own "1944" version with camouflage etc. I can't resist the temptation!

You'll do the right thing.

I've updated the 1941-to-1945 drawings implementing the changes discussed previously (no target indicators in 1941 and RCM on 1945, with minor fixes here and there), so they are all up-to-date.
I'll do the same with the 1940s preliminar designs once placed the missing boats and other things (I may try drawing the earlier CXAM radar, if I ever found sources for it.....), right now i'm adding some extra details to the 1948 one by scrolling through pictures (apparently, I need to put back the floater bin nets and some life rafts).

[Colosseum]

A new version of the CXAM would be great. I think Timothy had some schematics for it... would be useful if he could repost them here.