USS Houston
By Mike Czibovic
click to enlarge
1/350 USS Houston CA-30 (modified Blue Water Navy)

 
USS HOUSTON - CHANGES AND ADDITIONS

1.    Reshaped bow profile 
2.    Reshaped bow flare and made hull symmetrical 
3.    Degausing cable added below deck edge 
4.    New anchor chains 
5.    Jack staff 
6.    Main turret magazine escape trunk, fore and aft 
7.    Chocks, open and closed, cast (10 sets) 
8.    New paravane booms (2) 
9.    Ship's bell, cast 
10.  MV lenses in signal lights, small (4) 
11.  .50 cal  MG, scratchbuilt (8) 
12.  Rafts on forward funnel 
13.  Funnel suppert wires, fore & aft 
14.  Funnel cap grilles, stretched sprue, fore & aft 
15.  Step in superstructure under forward funnel (required removal of resin & redecking) 
16.  New catapult pedestals (2) 
17.  Catapult control stations (2) 
18.  Aircraft markings (2) 
19.  Brass rails from kit resectioned to fit cast chocks (brass also taken from reserve kit to match style) 
20.  Repositioned A/C crane support legs 
21.  Incinerator, scratchbuilt 
22.  Rebuilt aft director platform, lower level, including ladder landing extensions to the 1.1" gun tubs 
23.  Rebuilt emergency compass compartment 
24.  Added awning over secondary rangefinder 
25.  Added aft director platform support arches (p&s) 
26.  Scratchbult and cast three types of boats (5 boats) 
27.  New boat cradles 
28.  A/C & boat crane rigging 
29.  A/C & boat crane hooks, photoetch, from other kits 
30.  Towing engine & guide chock 
31.  Flag staff on stern 
32.  Opposite rotation propellers for port side, cast (2) 
33.  Induction & discharge screens on hull (4) 
34.  New boat booms (4) 
35.  Practice loader 
36.  Boat crane rest 
37.  New pole masts, tapered brass 
38.  Flag 
39.  Ventillation doors on hangar bulkheads (4) 
40.  Stiffener plate on hull sides (2) 
41.  New armor belt (2) 
42.  New 1.1" gun tub supports, forward (2) 
43.  Bridge wing windows opened 
44.  Vents, quarterdeck (3) 
45.  Keel blocks (mounting) 
46.  MV lenses on searchlights, large (4) 
47.  Leadsman platforms (2) 
48.  New anchor hawse pipes (2) 
49.  New paravanes (2) 
50.  Repositioned rudder 
51.  Rigging 
52.  Display case 

The only items yet to do are: One boat from item #26 (35' motor launch); two boat cradles; and item #49. 

It should be noted that my client has asked for certain liberties be taken with his model. He asked for the Standard Navy Gray (SNG) scheme, but with 1.1" AA guns. In order for the model to be correct with SNG, the 1.1" should be replaced with 3"/50 AA. In order to be correct with 1.1" AA, the lower row of portholes should be filled and the ship painted in Cavite Blue with painted decks.

The ships of Mike Czibovic



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