by Paul Helfrich
1/2400 USS South Carolina BB-26 (Viking Forge)
One of my ambitions is to eventually have in my collection at least one representative of every class of battleship ever built for the US Navy. I'm getting there - the pre-dreadnoughts are going to be pretty tough, but the dreadnought/super dreadnoughts are no picnic, either. I'm currently gripped by "conversion fever," working on turning 1/700 Arizona kits into the Idaho BB 42, the Maryland BB 46, and the New York BB 34. I hope to be posting some photos of those soon, but in the meantime, here's another 1/2400 model from Viking Forge that fills an important gap in my collection.
Along with her sister, the USS Michigan BB 27, the South Carolina BB 26 was the first true dreadnought built for the US Navy. The armament of 8 12" guns mounted in the South Carolinas was increased to 10 in the next 2 classes, (including the Delaware, North Dakota, Florida, and Utah) and then to 12 in the Arkansas and Wyoming. Then, beginning with the New York and Texas, the 14" gun was introduced to the US Navy.
But we'll get to those ships later. In the meantime, I've been pleased with these Viking Forge kits that, although a bit crude, have allowed me to add the South Carolina, Florida, and Delaware to my collection. I have plans to scratchbuild the Delaware in 1/700 from plans at some point...so many projects, so little time!
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