Essex class carrier deck in 1/48 scale

[Donivanp]

Hi all, thought I fell off the face of the earth. Truth is I just don't have much time.

Ok so I have an ambitious concept. It may well go south but here it is. I have two HB TBM's, three AM TBM's, three ProM SB2C's (with Wolfpack wing fold kits), 2 Tamiya F4U-1D's and two Eduard F6F-5's. I have markings to do ,most all in air wing 84 markings for the USS Bunker Hill Feb 1945, Tokyo/Honshu raids. I need a wing fold kit or two for the AM TBM's but can't find them, also I want to display all on a carrier deck. I figure using sprue or balsa but would like an input as to how thick the planks should be and how many between the metal tie down planks.
I've been working one of the HB TBM in the truck on off times but it is slow going.

 

[Wurger]

.. how thick the planks should be ...

Do you mean how the planks were wide, right?

also ..

... and how many between the metal tie down planks...

Do you mean the number of planks put between the two metal strips on the deck don't you?

 

[Donivanp]

Se, Yes, Yavol and all of the above.

 

[Wurger]

OK.. here is enlarged shot of the main wheel of a F4-U. As memo serves the diameter of the wheel was 813mm (81.3cm). It covers 5 planks and a half. Well... 81.3/5.5=14.78cm what is about 15cm. the 14.78 cm is 5.82" while 15cm=5.91" (~6"). And this is the width of a plank. For 1/48 scale it's 3.125mm what is about 0.125 of inch.

To answer the second part of the quastion.. here two shots of the fly deck of the USS Bunker Hill. I have counted 11 planks between two the metal strips. However it seems that there could be 10 or even 9 ones at a couple areas.. But the number of eleven seems to be the right base.

 

[Crimea_River]

Sounds like an interesting project. I have no idea how one would make the tie-down strips unless you can make your own PE.

 

[fubar57]

Ambitious project Don. In an issue of Finescale Modeler in the way back when, there was an article on building a wood deck complete with tie-downs made from plastic strip. I think I still have some old issues so I'll check when I get home

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool project!

 

[Wayne Little]

A nice challenge...

 

[Airframes]

Eduard, Flightpath, and I think also Verlinden do carrier deck sections. There are a couple of other companies who supply pre-printed deck sections, but I can't remember their names offhand.

 

[Wurger]

Yep.. Essex Class - Eduard - Nr. 8802 1/48 scale...

 

[Donivanp]

Just ordered one to look at.

 

[Thermic_Trio]

Would there be any such deck kit in 1/32?

 

[fubar57]

WWII 1:32 US Navy Aircraft Carrier Deck Display Plinths – Set 2 | Scale Model Scenery

 

[Thermic_Trio]

WWII 1:32 US Navy Aircraft Carrier Deck Display Plinths – Set 2 | Scale Model Scenery

View attachment 472062​

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[parsifal]

very cool guys

 

[Donivanp]

Ok so the going is slow due to the schedule for work. It's a bit hard to get time on the truck and the lighting sucks. so I have cut back on trying to work on the road too much. I've shot a bit of Testors acrylic on the Hobby Boss TBM and I ordered the Eduard flight deck suggested. I figure it will be good to help as a pattern for making one. We'll see when it comes. It's slow going as it's coming Royal Mail standard and forgive me but that's as slow ans the proverbial slow boat to China.

I'll have more when I get there I guess.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Looks good.

 

[dneid]

Finally found the build! The TBM is looking good. I can only imagine the challenges of building in the truck at night. Especially after standing in your truck. But, I like the direction you are heading in. You are starting to get my naval air itch going. BTW, I about have the desk ready to move out of the room. Any chance you can make it within the next "few" weeks to pick it up? I can hang on to it for a limited time.

 

[Donivanp]

Thanks all! Received the Eduard flight deck today. My mother in law passed away on the 21st and so I took a couple of days off to help my wife get to Panama. So this is a good place to start if you want to try a project like this. the cost is quite good for the flight deck, the postage was the killer. It cost twice the price just for post because I could only find it in Europe. As you can see the TBM is coming along, but slow.