by Chris Dumford
1/250 USS Oregon BB-3 (Glencoe)
The model is somewhat inaccurate in that Glencoe has modified the superstructure and added a deck under the boat stowage that did not exist on the original ship. In order to correct this error, major rework would need to be done to the superstructure, effectively destroying the casting. The fit of parts was generally good but the model suffers from the fact that it is dated and as noted above does contain some inaccuracies (for the information of the purists among us). The molding is very clean and the overall appearance is quite good.
I decided to plank the deck using actual 1/8" wide strips of walnut left over from a wood ship model. The superstructure deck areas were made with card stock templates that were planked off the model and then attached to the model as a single piece. The main deck sections were made with aircraft plywood and planked prior to installation on the model.
The superstructure had molded-in solid railings that were cut away prior to assembly of the superstructure. I utilized 1/350 scale photo-etched railings from Eduard. The scale of the secondary armament barbettes was found upon study of several original photographs to be off. The actual barbettes were slightly higher on the original ship in relation to the superstructure than what is represented in the model (this is most likely due to the creation of a sort of boat deck on the actual model instead of an armored parapet topped by quick firing guns as found on the original ship). As a result, smaller scale railings were used to fill the space from the deck edge to the top of the barbette (actual scale railings would have been too tall). As an experiment, I decided to try my hand at constructing the main deck railings by hand, as versus using standard photo-etched railings. I used small brass pins cut to size and individually glued in place. The railing cables were then made with painted thread ( I should have used fishing line, but you live and learn).
Finally, I decided to use as much of the original ship model castings as possible and so I simply added brass wire handrails to the ladders, brass wire stanchions to the bridge canopy and I detailed the steam launch supplied in the kit. I added a deck to the steam launch made from card stock and installed a hand made single piston steam engine constructed from various plastic shapes purchased at a local hobby shop. Brass wire stanchions and a real canvas cover were added to the launch.
Be aware that Glencoe includes decals for Oregon's sister ships the Massachusetts and the Indiana. These ships were slightly different in design and construction from the Oregon and would require major modification of the kit to accurately portray them. Most notably, they have only one set of anchor wells on the bow, as versus two sets found on the Oregon. They also differ in deck details and other lesser details.
