Same ship or not?

[fullmetaljacket]

Hello all

I was looking at some of the micronauts and noticed that some ships are modeled fromGHQ with different names. I was thinking of buying the Musasi IJN43 sisterter ship to Yamato IJN15 since its on sale but then i noticed that it had its own model in the catalog. I know that their was different versions of this ship early war they had the 8 inch side mounts i believe then went to extra AA guns later in the war. then i noticed that the South Dakota class BB's USN 71 having four in the class. Then i saw the Massachusetts BB USN 2 same class of ships correct? Was their that much of a difference in ship design to notice on a 1/2400 scale? Just a curious question for you naval buffs out there lurking in the forums.

fullmetaljacket

[Donald M. Scheef]

IJN15 models Yamato and Musashi as they were built with triple 6" gun mounts forward, amidships, and aft. This model would do for either ship early in the war. IJN43 models Musashi as it was rebuilt with extra AA mounts replacing the two amidships 6" mounts. To a naval buff the difference is significant.

All four ships of the South Dakota have individual models:
South Dakota (BB57) was unique in that it carried only eight twin 5" gun mounts. All the other new US battleships of the time carried ten twin 5" gun mounts. SD was designated as a flagship, so needed extra room for staff and communications. Being very tight in design, two gun mounts had to be sacrificed. GHQ's USN71 models this ship as it appeared in 1943.
Indiana (BB58) is modeled by USN77. This models the ship as it appeared in 1944.
Massachusetts (BB59) as it appeared in 1944 is modeled by USN2.
Alabama (BB60) as it appeared in 1942 is modeled by USN3.
From 1942 to 1944 the details of Indiana, Massachusetts, and Alabama changed considerably as more and more 40mm Bofors AA guns were mounted. The difference is not as great as that between Yamato and Musashi but still enough so that a real buff would notice the difference. I have several models of each and would actually buy another South Dakota if GHQ came out with a 1942 version.

Don S.

[battlewagon]

In many cases, when you view the image in the catalog it will reference the year represented or say "early war" or "late war" in the description. My rule of thumb is that if you are hard pressed to find a spot on the deck that doesn't have an AA mount stuck on it, it would be considered "late-war". The Yamato and Musashi are a very good contrast because of the obvious armament change...on the South Dakota's you have to get pretty close to see which one has four 5" mounts per side instead of five, especially if they are camouflaged....if all else fails, off to my reference library!

[fullmetaljacket]

Thanks all for the info, your help is most appreicated. I knew the Yamato class had went away with the 6 inch mounts and added more AA later in the war. I guess the real question for me atleast is for naval wargaming which ones to buy. I like the look of the 6 inch mounts but most of the scenarios that i have with yamato some are what if scenario's they don have the 6 inch mounts. As for the US ships yea i was looking at them and for the most part you cant tell a huge difference. Once again thanks for the info all and help.

fullmetaljacket

[Donald M. Scheef]

I would like to see the Iowa class covered to the same level as the South Dakota class. USS Iowa (BB-61) is already modeled by HUS5 as she was during the Gulf War and USN30 represents USS Missouri (BB-63) as she was in 1944.

GHQ should produce a model of Iowa as she was when initially commissioned in early 1943. The bridge and arrangement of light antiaircraft weapons differs from any of the other ships in the class. There should also be a model of USS New Jersey (BB-62) in 1943 and USS Wisconsin (BB-64) in 1945.

Don S.