Now that the Verite PDN build is done, it is time to dive right into the next project: The USS Omaha class light cruisers. These cruisers were built in the 1920's and represented the oldest cruisers the USA had going into WW2. All 10 of the ships in this class acquitted themselves well in the war. Some, like the Omaha herself, has some unique stories and expiriences through their career. As a model warship combat model, they hold a unique desirable feature: they mounted 12 6" guns in two turrets and eight casements. By most fast gun and treaty rules, this means this 2.5 unit ship can mount a cannon in each the lower stern casements angled out 15 and down 15 degrees for a "poor man's" sidemount. The lower casements are low to the water which should make it easy to get belows on other ships. Combined with 22 second speed in MWC and a quick 26 second speed in Treaty, these ships have the potential to do more damage than the average cruiser. I was asked by an MWC Region 3 captain to take this on after multiple attempts by two other builders failed. Although I did have other ships on the building schedule, I delayed them for this build. After all, you gotta support your Region mates! Right off the bat, this ship looked like a challenge to build. It is a long narrow hull, especially the front quarter of the ship. The stern tapers to a near point which may make it tough to fit the rudder's control system in. Lastly, the deck curves upwards towards the bow, meaning a different building technique is required to ensure a straight, non-warped hull. I got hands on three different plan sets. One set simply didn't have enough rib stations to use effectively. A second nicely detailed plan set looked very good except it was drawn in 1:172 scale. Finally, a pretty good BDE plan set in the correct scale arrived from Strike Models. But there was a small problem! The rib outlines on the BDE plans did not match the rib outlines on the other two plans. So the first step to this build was to scan, enlarge, and add the allowable 3/8" additional hull depth to the 1:172 rib outlines. Next, using a drafting scale, I transfered the 1:172 plan's rib stations to the side view on the BDE plans. What I ended up with is a good set of 1:144 scale rib outlines that matched the 1:144 scale plans from Strike Models. Hopefully, the calculations are all correct, else this is going to be messy! So stay tuned ... pictures are incoming as the build progresses ...
Now that the plans are straightened out, it's time for the next step: making the ribs. I tend to build ships upside down on a flat board. Great for flat decked ships like the Bearn CV and the Verite PDN, but difficult for curved decked ships like the Richelieu BB and the Omaha CL. A modified flat building technique is used to accomplish this. First, a line is drawn across the tallest rib on the rib outline template. This line represents the building board. Next, a "leg" is drawn upwards from the top of each rib to the building board line. Once the template is cut out, you get the rib with extra material on top of it. From there, it's paste on wood and cut.
The basic hull is framed upside down. Notice how the "legs" on each rib section keeps the ship level in spite of the upwards curving deck. This is crucial for a straight warp-free hull! Once the hull is completely framed up and glassed, the "legs" will be trimmed off and sanded flush to the deck.
Mike you are a great wood worker. Make it a plug, pull a mold and get some fiberglass huls out there. I have one on my to build list.
Mike my great friend, you are too clever by half. I shake my fist at the heavens and curse eternity that NC is not right next to GA You know I love your work already, this should be awesome.
Yep, I was quite suprised when I asked him to make it for a few of us, and he jumped right on board. The extened ribs are just great, yet so simple, one of the issues I had in the tries I made making a wood ship. Great job Mike. We will have all 5 of them in MWC region 3, even the great Bart is going to start battling again as soon as he gets his built. We hope to have 2 of them ready for Houston Nats. A cruiser to give the Axis boats a run for their money for sure. I think we only have 3 Axis here in Region 3 right now, LOL. After the next battle Don, Frank, and I plan to start pre making the supers to have as much completed as possible. Mike M, Pete said he would make the stacks for us, but needs a dimensional drawing. I plan on drawing up a set in the next few days, and email to him, will save time and weight.
Sign me up for one as well. Could I get a set of the ribs , I would love to have this one in my fleet. The beer town in the port polar bear would be a blast!
Thanks all. It's nice to be appreciated. At this stage, one of the five hulls is being built. Any problems with the construction will be ironed out before the wood is cut for the remaining four. So far, everything is going together nicely with very minor tweaks. So the plan right now is to cut wood for the final four this weekend and start putting them together. The goal is to have them ready to ship out by the end of April. Hull #1 is mine. Hopefully, it'll be ready to battle by this year's IRCWCC Nats. Although it only gets 23 seconds in IRC vs 22 seconds in MWC, it should still be a fun ship to battle in the Nats. There is a faint possibility it will be ready by the Armed Forces Battle or the Treaty Denmark Straits events in May. Oh! John once asked if I'll ever build something other than French. Guess this answers that question.
Very nicely done. I built one last year for a guy in southern ohio..He has yet to finish it though. Buddy
Some updates. After adding some of the waterchanneling bottom and a 3/16" wood doubler under the 3/16" thick deck, the hull frame is stiff enough to handle without warping. With the legs trimmed off and sanded down, the deck's curved outline is evident. The hatches are 3/16" thick birch plywood which will bend to fit the curved deck shape and help get that critical water seal needed for a small ship like this. Although the bow area is tight, there is enough room for a 3.5 oz bottle and a Strike Models adjustable regulator to fit with about a 1/4" to spare on each side to the ribs. A shot from inside the hull looking aft.
Buddy, I am planning on going to the Armed Forces Battle. Would love to see that Omaha hull you built.
Mike Another great build thread. Thank you for taking the time to post these threads so that everyone can enjoy them here. And you almost couldn't have picked a better boat (well, except for some more Frenchies). Perhaps a Surcouf needs to be looked into. I have always liked the Omaha class ships, and want to build one as well. So keep up the great work. P.S. Please skip straight to the epoxy stuff, so that I can order some stuff for my new ship. I need the numbers off of your new card. Haha. Mikey
Hi Mike Any updates from this weekend? My HMS Benbow refit is just about completed, so after this weekend I will start looking at starting on the Detroit's superstructure.
