1/350 scale USS Solace LHD Amphibious Hospital Ship

[seadude]

          

I don't know anything when it comes to sensors, radars, and electronics. In the following pages/pics, I'm not sure what Part #'s to keep vs. what Part #'s not to use? Combat systems are a no brainer. For example, I wouldn't need Part #'s J2, J62, and C10 on Page 28.
But what else? What to keep vs. what to get rid of?

Page 28
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[Captain Canada]

I'd just add bits to make it look busy but not too cluttered 

[seadude]

While still waiting for any extra opinions on my post # 180 further above, I'll also ask another question to get opinions on:

When painting the radar masts, radars, domes, etc., what do you think would look better?
a) Paint everything same color as rest of ship which is white.
b) Radar masts painted white. But some radars and domes painted light or medium grey.
c) Radar masts and radars painted black similar to US Coast Guard ships. Maybe have a few domes painted white.
d) Other option?

[Captain Canada]

White up so far and then black.

[NARSES2]

Option C in your list for me

[seadude]

Ok, need opinions on the following pics.

This first pic shows my idea for having a small crane at the rear of the island superstructure. On an actual WASP LHD ship, there is a cargo elevator at the rear starboard corner of the island superstructure that leads down to the hangar bay as well as the lower aviation cargo holds. I was thinking of putting a cargo crane in this area instead of all those large radar/sensor domes so that the crane can on load/off load cargo to be taken to/from the aviation cargo holds. The two green rectangles represent possible locations for RHIB boats that I might put on some sort of overhang or balcony.
https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8889/28051576390_32145c73bf_c.jpg

At the front of the island superstructure (Right side of pic.) will be a larger crane for on loading/off loading cargo to/from the main cargo holds. This crane will also be used for on/off loading of portable medical ISO containers (Which I still have to buy yet.) indicated by yellow rectangles which will simply be sitting on the flight deck. There is another green rectangle which is a possible location for a RHIB boat.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8569/28051576400_67b7c83097_h.jpg

You can see in this pic an angled orange line underneath the island superstructure. This is where I will be putting a ramp that leads from the hangar bay all the way up to the front of the island superstructure where the "angled" doorway is. On a real LHD, this ramp allows crew, troops, and small flight deck tractors or other vehicles to go from the flight deck to the hangar bay and vice versa.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7714/27717366304_ec74188625_h.jpg

At the aft end of the island superstructure on the port corner is a yellow "doorway". This is where some flight deck support equipment is stored. The green "doorway" on the starboard aft corner is where the cargo elevator is located for the aviation cargo holds and hangar bay. Originally, I was going to make another aft cargo elevator shaft and do some other cutaway work for these "doorways", but the plans have been dropped. Too late now as I already have the flight deck glued down, painted, etc.
https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8638/27717366374_c4537ece50_b.jpg

[Old Wombat]

Re: radars - I'd use anything not obviously a targetting radar (tracking is OK, you have aircraft to coordinate).

Re: masts - I'd go Option c).

Re: the other stuff - I've not the faintest idea!

[Captain Canada]

First pic looks good, the crane and the RHIBs

Second pic crane sounds good, but I wouldn't put out that many containers. I'm sure they'd be run out when needed for offload and not sat about taking up that much deck space ? And in the weather as well.

Ramp is a cool idea

Moot point if it's already too late. Would look good with two doors there tho.

[seadude]

Getting back to my Post # 180 further above, this is what I have partially decided on. I'll keep all the round "dome" comms and antennaes, but may put them in different positions on the ship.

Page 28
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REMOVE:
J2, J62, C10, C17, RAM & Seasparrow launchers, Phalanx CIWS, C42, C43, C44, J16, J78, J42, J91, J82, K91,

KEEP OR UNDECIDED:
A83, C60, J9, J33, J17, J38+J44, A40

Page 29
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REMOVE:
SPS-48 radar (A23, A58, A72, A13)

KEEP OR UNDECIDED:
SPS-49 radar (A14, A22, )
J4, J5, J6
J79, J80, J81, J90

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REMOVE:
C9, C10, A16,

KEEP OR UNDECIDED:
SPN-43 radar (A56, A73, A74, A75)
A85
A50 + A76
A77 + A78

[seadude]

I think I take back what I said here.

This first pic shows my idea for having a small crane at the rear of the island superstructure. On an actual WASP LHD ship, there is a cargo elevator at the rear starboard corner of the island superstructure that leads down to the hangar bay as well as the lower aviation cargo holds. I was thinking of putting a cargo crane in this area instead of all those large radar/sensor domes so that the crane can on load/off load cargo to be taken to/from the aviation cargo holds. The two green rectangles represent possible locations for RHIB boats that I might put on some sort of overhang or balcony.
https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8889/28051576390_32145c73bf_c.jpg

Why have a crane there to on/off load cargo when I already have:
a) Large crane in front of the island superstructure.
b) Well deck for on/off loading people and supplies.
c) Large flight deck for ferrying people/supplies by helicopter.
d) UNREP (Underway Replenishment) area directly underneath the bomb disposal chute that you see in the above quoted link pic.

So........maybe I'll just use the area instead for storage of a few ship's boats with a smaller davit crane. I'm not sure. Decisions, decisions. 

[seadude]

Trying to make progress on the island superstructure. It's like an uphill battle.  I'd explain more, but it'd take too long.
1. All the windows are "painted" (drawn) with a .25mm Sakura Pigma Micron green ink pen. I think they turned out fairly well.  I looked at a few other WASP LHD models by other people and they had their windows green as well. I guess the windows on a real LHD must be green tinted, eh?
2. The gray "stripe" on the port side of the superstructure is where the "BEWARE OF JET INTAKES AND ROTORS" decal will go. The lettering is white and wouldn't look good against a white bulkhead, so I had to paint a gray portion for the white lettering to show up better.
3. Also in the pics, you can see the large white crane I will use at the forward end of the island superstructure. This is the main cargo crane for on/off loading heavy items near the cargo elevators at the forward end of the island superstructure.
4. In another pic is a smaller yellow crane (Which will eventually be painted white.) which will be positioned at the aft end of the island superstructure. This crane will be used for on/off loading of cargo near the aviation elevator/cargo holds as well as raising/lowering of some ship's boats........but not the two RHIB's on the starboard aft side. A smaller davit will be placed between the 2 RHIB boats for lowering/raising them.
5. And Yes, I did add two SLQ-32 ECM systems that you can see in some pics. I also plan to add some SBROC chaff launchers on the ship model as well as maybe some NULKA decoy launchers. Though I'm not sure where to place the NULKA launchers? I might have 2-4 of them.  International treaties and laws say that hospital ships may not have any offensive weapons. But I see nothing wrong with defensive systems, right?

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[Captain Canada]

That looks so good. Love this project !

[seadude]

Sneak peek. 

Island superstructure has been decaled and glued to the flight deck. Still have to finish building and painting the radar masts and all the sensors/domes which I am hoping to have completed this coming weekend on Sunday. Island should hopefully be completed by next week Monday. 

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[NARSES2]

That is coming on so well 

[Old Wombat]

A1 build!