The Colorado-Class Battleships (1923-1944)

[David Latuch]

The Colorado-Class battleships were essentially a repeat of their predecessor Tennessee-Class, armed with eight 16 inch/45Cal rather than twelve 14 inch/50 Cal main armament.

Depicted here are the USS Colorado (BB-45)(1923-1942), USS Maryland (BB-46)(1943) and USS West Virginia (BB-48)(1944).

Colorado 1923:



In 1924 a stern catapult was added to the Colorado-Class along with four more 3 inch/23 Cal anti-aircraft guns two on either side of the bridge structure. The boats alongside the bridge structure were removed to accomadate the added guns.

Colorado 1924:



In 1926 a second catapult was installed atop the number three turret and floatplane cranes alongside the main mast.
Colorado 1926:



In 1932 the eight 3 inch/23Cal anti-aircraft guns were replaced by an equal number of 5 inch/25Cal guns.

Colorado 1932:



In 1936 the USS Colorado had machine gun tubs were added to the main and foremast tops. Two Mk-19 anti-aircraft directors were added atop the bridge structure on either side of the foremast.

Colorado 1936:



By 1942 the Colorado had its main mast truncated just above the search light platforms and a machinegun platform was installed atop the mast. Splinter shields were added to the boat deck and gun shields added to the 5 inch guns. The machinegun platforms were removed from the mast tops and a SK/CXFA air search radar antenna installed atop the foremast. Four quad 1.1inch A-A guns were emplaced on either side of the fore and aft of the superstructure.

Colorado 1942:



Notice, Looking at the USS Maryland (BB-46) as repaired and upgraded post-Pearl Harbor that the 5inch/25Cal guns were replaced by eight 5inch/38Cal guns in dual mounts. The anti-aircraft suite was enhanced by the replacement of the four 1.1inch Chicago Pianos with twelve 40MM Bofors quad mounts and twenty three 20MM Oerlikon machineguns. The lattice mast was replaced by a tower mast. The fire control director suite was significantly upgraded. The teak deck was retained on the main deck only and painted deck blue to correspond to her measure 21 camouflage. It is unclear, according to www.shipcamouflage.com, which camouflage measure Maryland sported in 1944 (21 or 32)

Maryland 1945:



The West Virginia was sunk at Pearl Harbor, and reconstructed a la The Tennessee and California with the removal of everything from the 01 level up.

West Virginia 1944:

[erik_t]

The West Virginia reconstruction has always been one of my very favorites. Do you know why she had the curious asymmetric AA fit aft?

Are you sure the early 3"/23 fit is correct? I believe these weapons should be the 3"/50 Mk 10.

[David Latuch]

The West Virginia reconstruction has always been one of my very favorites. Do you know why she had the curious asymmetric AA fit aft?

Are you sure the early 3"/23 fit is correct? I believe these weapons should be the 3"/50 Mk 10.

I'm Cal at the moment, I only discovered that Colorado was armed with the 23 rather than the 50 caliber gun.

[BB1987]

I'll land two quibbles, not related to the drawings themselves though.
The 1932 Colorado is labeled "Tennesse class, USS Tennessee". I also think you might cut the length of all templates to match the mislabeled one. They kind of have a lot of unused space on the right as they are right now.

[David Latuch]

I'll land two quibbles, not related to the drawings themselves though.
The 1932 Colorado is labeled "Tennesse class, USS Tennessee". I also think you might cut the length of all templates to match the mislabeled one. They kind of have a lot of unused space on the right as they are right now.

Yup, and I fixed them.

[emperor_andreas]

AWESOME work!

Moderators: Why is this artist not an Elite Member yet?

[reytuerto]

Excellent drawings, outstanding work, David!
The reconstructed WVa was much more beamier than the originals! In color that is much more evident than in a plain b&w line drawing. Cheers!

[Mitchell van Os]

Excellent work on these beautiful warships.
I really like the upgrades in the latter years looking like the Tennessee's.
So powerfull looking on a smaller platform.

Cant wait to see more work coming from you!

[Charybdis]

Fantastic work!

[Novice]

Amazing work, and setting the new year's standard
Well done David