If I've got how the phased array system works right, then the quarter-aligned arrays (red) will work better than the primary-aligned arrays (blue) in this instance.

The alignment of the red panels will allow an overlap of search areas covering what little blocking will occur from the rear "mast" structure.

However, reading up on the latest  AN/SPY-6(V)4 system you'll need a 6.1m base for the system.

I haven't quite figured out the full placement of all the various radar domes and such. But I'm getting there.
The OE-82 antennas are tricky because I'm not sure I want to place them at the top of the large tower and have the tower all crowded at the top.
But all the square panels on the large tower are all at different heights and different angled panels so that none of them will interfere with one another. 

For someone like me who really has no understanding of the technology behind modern shipbuilding a thread like this just shows how complicated the designers job actually is, and that's from someone who's family worked in the shipyards (and down the pit and for Pyrex)

Thank you

Maybe put two or three of the OE-82 antennae high on the main "mast" & the other one or two elsewhere as backup(s)?

Quote from: Old Wombat on June 23, 2023, 07:11:56 AMMaybe put two or three of the OE-82 antennae high on the main "mast" & the other one or two elsewhere as backup(s)?

Sounds nice in theory, but I need all 4 to be high up so as to get good transmit/recieving of data. Almost every picture I've seen of Nimitz class carriers of the island superstructure shows them to be high up. Maybe at least 2 on the mast itself, with another 2 on the roof of the island structure. But my island structure sits a lot lower, so all 4 need to be up higher.

Put them on the squares where the green circles are. A new type, only different, and the details would look nice. Or leave them off, you know, stealth.....

Been awhile. Here's some more in progres shots of the carrier island structure. Getting closer to it being done.
Still have some details to add yet like various decals, a few more radars, and other things.

It's the thick armoured glass that gives them that colour.

Final pictures of the island superstructure..........sort of. I'd call it about 99% done.
The other 1% would be adding two SPN-46 Aircraft Precision Approach Landing radars at the very back (One at each corner), as well as any tiny painting touch ups.
The SPN-46's I'll have to get from Shapeways as I don't have any decent spare parts to make any from scratch.

Next up on the agenda is making a small interior hangar bay scene. I didn't feel like doing the entire length of the hangar bay, so I'm only doing one small amidships section with an aircraft elevator door being open on the starboard side. The piece of hangar bay deck I'll be using is actually the helicopter flight deck from a 1/350 scale Independence LCS class ship. It will need to be cut down to size a little bit to fit inside the hull.
What I'd also like to do (Hopefully) is make something that fits on the left and right sides of that floor piece to give the illusion that the hangar bay continues forward and aft when a person looks through the aircraft elevator door opening. Whether or not I'm successful in this I don't know. How detailed I make that interior hangar deck piece I don't know either. Time will tell.

Superstructure looks great!

Not sure what you can do for the forced-perspective view down the hangar deck, though.

Back at the start of this thread on my very first post, I had mentioned some issues about putting laser defense systems on my carrier model.
I think I might have that solved.   But I still only have three laser defense systems to use. I don't have a fourth.
My idea would be to add laser defense systems at the forward port and starboard weapon sponsons. You can see their firing arcs as indicated by the blue lines/arrows.
The most interesting placement of a laser defense system would possibly be on top of the small tower at the aft end of the island superstructure.
Placement in this location would not be completely 360 degrees. But would give excellent coverage aft as well as additional good coverage to port and starboard.
What do you think, folks?

I admit it. I "cheated" on building the small portion of the hangar bay inside my carrier hull. I took the easy way out.

  

Quote from: Old Wombat on July 02, 2023, 08:40:29 AMSuperstructure looks great!

Does indeed