My first model building step was to construct the two boat-handling cranes.  I sent a letter to Mike Bishop of Blue Water Navy now Yankee Modelworks explaining my project and asked if I could purchase cranes from the corresponding Massachusetts kit and some 1.1" quad guns.  Mike generously provided the photo-etch cranes and a number of the 1.1" quad gun mount bases.  I constructed the crane masts and platforms from various plastic half-round and flat pieces, and, then, attached the photo-etch cranes, railings, and 36" searchlights.  This activity took a number of hours; but, the successful completion of the cranes was the final vote in my decision process to press ahead with 1942 model configuration.

Modifications to the kit model superstructure was relatively easy once the actual configuration was determined.  Most modifications were subtractions from the kit provided resin parts--most platforms and 20mm/40mm tubs were not used.  Minor scratch-building was needed to construct the 1.1" quad mount tub/platforms and the aft conning tower platforms.  The 40mm positions on the aft section and the upper forward tower were modified to reflect the smaller diameter 1.1" quad gun tub.  I used an 1.1" gun tub from an Atlanta Class cruiser kit as a pattern.  Also, the post-1942 structural additions between the O-2 and O-3 decks in the area of the main mast should be removed--I did not remove these areas on my model because I didn't discover this until the model was 95+% completed/painted.  The 3-gun tubs on the #2 and #3 16" turrets were scratch-built (kit provided tubs are for the post-1942 version) using .005" brass sheet and a plastic bases.  Various multi-20mm bank shielding/tubs were constructed from .005" brass sheet cut into strips.  I made solid wood forms for 2-,3-, and 4-20mm gun tubs; and, using these, shaped the brass shielding.  The kit provided photo-etch contains excellent detailed shielding strips that were used wherever possible; but, for this conversion,  the lengths and quantities were not sufficient.  Hint: Perhaps one of the photo-etch providers could produce a sheet of just detailed sheilding--I think it would sell.  I used the kit tower platforms on my model; but, later information indicates the mid-tower platform should not extend aft of the tower and the fore-section of this platform should have a half "dumbbell" shape when viewed from overhead.  The corresponding Massachusetts kit part looks perfect for this platform.  A pieces of plastic tube were used to represent the column supports for the port and starboard Mk-37 directors (my kit did not include these); and, the deck on which the columns rest needed to be extended by about 1/16" (I used plastic strip).

The major and most difficult part of this "build" was the main mast (particularly, the tripod base).  Even after I determined the proper configuration, as related in the Research Section above, it still took several attempts before I was able to construct an acceptable tripod base.  I made paper patterns of each leg as a start.  The first attempt was with .047 plastic rod--it couldn't be bent without breaking.  The second attempt was with 3/64" brass rod--hard to bend and distorted at the bend points.  The final attempt was with Special Shapes' 3/64" and 1/32" brass tubing and .016" brass rod.  I inserted the tubing/rod into each other and bent this into the proper shape using the paper patterns as a guide--there was no distortion.  Solder and super glue were used to attach the legs at the top, around an approximate 1/16" section of 1/32" tubing.  The mast was 3/64" tapered brass tubing with a piece of 1/32" tubing inside.  A short length of .016" brass rod joined and secured the mast with the 1/32" tripod tube section.  Platforms were constructed from .020" plastic sheet. (Another advantage of using telescoping brass tubing is now .016" brass rod can "pin" the tripod to the deck.)

The tower mast was constructed from slightly tapered 3/64" brass rod with a 6mm 4-spoked photo-etch wheel and a 1/4" sheet plastic disc for the SC-1 radar support platform.  I used the kit's photo-etch yardarms; but, strengthened them with half-round plastic.  This was marginally acceptable.  If I build this model again, I would use small brass tubing/rods (3/64" and 1/32" tubing and .016" rod) to fabricate the yardarms.  At the time I was building this model, I was not aware of the Special Shapes' products.

Eight of the 20mm guns were scratch-built using strip plastic for the carriages, .008" rod for the barrels, kit shields and pedestals, and Gold Medal Models photo-etch details.  Actually, I built 50 of these; but, before I mounted all 40 required 20mm guns, I discovered the L'Arsenal 20mm guns.  So, the remaining 32 were L'Arsenal's with GMM gunsights (L'Arsenal's do not have sights) and wheels.  The kit's 20mm guns would make perfectly acceptable mounts; but, two photo-etch barrels would have to be glued together if two shoulder rests are desired.

1.1" quad mounts were built using BWN's bases with .012" brass rod barrels. (I would have preferred to use the BWN photo-etch barrels; but, didn't have any spares at the time.)

Kit provided 40mm mounts and photo-etch mount shields, 5" guns, and 16" guns were used.

Mk-51 and "stereoscopic" tube directors were BMW's--kit provided and extras from other kits.

The SC-1, Mk-3/Mod 2, and Mk-4 radars were from Tom's Modelworks WWII Radar Set as the kit only provided the late-war antennae. (Tom's also produces a Fast Battleship Set photo-etch sheet which provides most of the parts needed for this configuration.)

White Ensign Models's resin Kingfisher scout aircraft were substituted for the metal ones in the kit.  The kit aircraft could be used; but, the float would have to be relocated and the fuselage would have to be worked with plastic/putty to obtain the correct circular cross-section.  I elected to go with the WEM product--excellent, well-detailed; but, "pricey".

The in-board 3-bladed propellers were BlueJacket metal propellers.  The out-board propellers were scratch-built using 3-bladed BlueJacket propellers and relocating blades.  The kit's photo-etch propellers were not the proper type for this configuration.

Halyards and rigging lines were .002" and .003" nylon fishing line, respectively.

The model was painted in the Measure 21 Navy Blue scheme. Poly-Scale 5-N Navy Blue )lightened with a little white) was air-brushed on all vertical surfaces; and, 20-B Weatherdeck Blue was hand-brushed on all decks.  Poly-Scale Lehigh Cornell Red and Engine Black were air-brushed on the hull bottom and boot top, respectively.  Press-on numerals were used for the hull numbers.  The model was given several coats of Poly-Scale Clear Flat on completion.

This was a challenging "build"; but, even with its inaccuracies, I am well-satisified with the resulting completed model.  I estimate I spent well over 500 hours on all phases in building this model--not counting the two-day trip to visit the Sioux Falls South Dakota Memorial.  Would I build another Yankee Modelworks South Dakota?  Probably not; but, I have the corresponding USS Massachusetts kit in my "to-be-built" stack.  Again, I plan to back-date this model to its mid-1942 configuration--I always wanted to do a Measure 12 scheme on a battleship.  I only hope this "build" will take less than 500 hours and in less than four years elapsed time.  Again, it appears that the main mast tripod base configuration will be a challenge--I haven't found a definitive reference; but, I can confirm it isn't like the South Dakota's...