USS Texas, BB-35, in 1/350 Scale

I then built the main mast and the upper, two story observation house on top of the tripod support structure (which was added in the 1920s to replace the original pole and lattice masts she was built with). This is the highest place on the vessel and is used for lookouts, spotters, fire control, etc. It is a very distinctive feature of the USS Texas and her sister ship USS New York, and later class battleships in US Navy service in that time frame like the Nevada class...and perhaps most distinctively...the Pennsylvania class (of which the USS Arizona, destroyerd in Pearl Harbor, is the most famous).

I also dry fit the two forward 14" gun batteries onto the vessel.


With the main mast on the vessel (although there are a lot of detail to add yet), and with the two forward 14" turrets, I decided this was a good place to stop.






Now that is looking like the USS Texas. Lots and lots of work to go...but she is definitely shaping up now.

I began this session by building the 40mm anti-aircraft gun systems (there are ten mounts with four guns to each mount), and many of the 20mm anti-aircraft guns. I build twent-six of those out of 44 altogether.

Each 40mm system was comprised of seven parts, and each 20mm gun system was comprised of two parts. I painted them, assembled them, and then added them to the vessel:

Then I began to assemble the secondary mast that mounts forward to the aftermost two 14" gun turrets. This assembly has a lot of parts. it is a Tri-mast like the main mast, but not so high. I built the basic mast structure and then added the portions that mount the main radar and various sensors (photo etch parts). I will still have to add numerous 20mm gun mounts to this mast.

At this point it was time to add the two large cranse. They are located amindships to port and starboard, and are used for picking up the float planes, the ship's launches, and any other major lifts that may occur.

These are comprised of both plastic (10 parts) and photo etch metal parts (4) for the cranes. They came together very well>

I then added some more sensors and life rafts, did a little touch up, and then took these pictures of the vessel as she sits now. Looking good. Lots of details and very heavily armed.


She is looking nice. Still a LOT of details to add on the various decks. A couple of more launches, the chains and mechanisms for the anchor and the anchors, numerous funnels and other equipment, and the rest of the 20mm armament. I hope to get all of that done in the next session. A lot of railing, ladders, and other PE parts to add after that in the following session.

Wow..you are almost done!

Equation said:

Wow..you are almost done!

Click to expand...

Probably a couple of weeks left...maybe ten days. I love her.

Jeff Head said:

Probably a couple of weeks left...maybe ten days. I love her.

Click to expand...

I don't remember if you already did her or not (I'm talking about the ship for those who knew me too well), but have you ever built the USS Arizona?

Equation said:

I don't remember if you already did her or not (I'm talking about the ship for those who knew me too well), but have you ever built the USS Arizona?

Click to expand...

I helped my grandson build a small (1/700 scale) USS Arizona some time ago.

I thought I had posted some pics of him building and proudly holding it. Here they are:

I like looking at old battleship models, they have a lot of details jutting out all over the place to gawk at. You can see what part is supposed to perform what task, the weapons makes their use and presence clear/unambiguous and in your face. A few big guns pointed at you just have some directness that missiles sitting patiently in VLS tubes cannot achieve.

It's a bit like looking at old clockworks.