by John Bange
1/500 USS Nevada BB-36 (Scratchbuild)
This is my USS Nevada BB-36. She has been in the gallery before with other ships. This model is 40 years old an is the constant subject of changes and improvements.
Contrary to what one might read on some Internet sites, Nevada ended the war in measure 21 not 31b. I have my fathers WW11 cruise book and I am quite sure of this. I have included some photos seldom seen of this fine old ship. After the kamikaze damage at Okinawa, she was given her final colors of the war.
The hull is balsa and the superstructure is scratch built. Over the years, I have added a piece of plastic here and there and lately the full photo etch set.
The main battery is from Revell's Arizona, with B and X turrets modified into twins. The 5" 38 dual mounts are from Revell's heavy cruiser with the barrells replaced by upward pointing pins and the 40mm's are from Revell's Missouri.
The Kingfisher is from the heavy cruiser and is much modified.
In one of the photo's you can see where someone has writted the word "dad". This was done by my father. He felt he was looking at himself at his duty station pointing to one of the crew. I guess he would know.
The last picture is dated 1946. It is of the crew with the ship in the background. 40mm's and 5" dual mounts have been unshipped. She appears to still be in measure 21 but the cans of orange paint cannot be too far away.
