Scale: 1/350
 
Recommended to help build USS Saratoga CV-3 as she appeared from 1944-1946 from:
Trumpeter 1/350 scale USS Lexington CV-2
Trumpeter 1/350 scale USS Saratoga CV-3
 
This set of five models represents the former "boat pockets" of Lexington-class aircraft carrier USS Saratoga CV-3 as they appeared from 1944-1946.  They are intended as direct replacements for Trumpeter kit parts.  The models were scaled from official US Navy builder's drawings obtained from the US National Archives.
 
The two Lexington-class aircraft carriers, USS Lexington CV-2 and sistership USS Saratoga CV-3 were originally fit with recesses on the upper hull sides used to store five of the ships' large utility boats.  The recesses were called "boat pockets".  There were four boat pockets on the port side and one boat pocket on the starboard side, aft.
 
In December, 1943, USS Saratoga CV-3 reported to Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, for a major, month-long, mid-war refit.  As part of the refit, her boat pockets were extensively modified becoming anti-aircraft weapons stations for 40 mm quadruple Bofors cannon mounts.  Ammunition clipping rooms were built within the pockets and shielded sponsons were constructed extending outward from the hull.  This set of 5 models captures the pockets as they were reconfigured as weapons stations.
 
The models are numbered 1 through 5.
Part 1 replaces Trumpeter kit part A17
Part 2 replaces Trumpeter kit part A14
Part 3 replaces Trumpeter kit part A15
Part 4 replaces Trumpeter kit part A13
Part 5 replaces Trumpeter kit part A16
 
As an aide to the modeler, a set of official US Navy drawings of the actual ship with these modifications is available for free download (click here).
 
Installation advice:
1. Download the plans linked above for use as a reference.  In overhead views of the decks, the bays appear on the drawing for the "upper half deck" (page 9), which is the bottom of the bays, and the drawing of the "main deck", which shows the service platforms' "walking space" (page 8) in each bay.
 
2. Note that Trumpeter kit parts for Bay #1 (A17) and Bay #2 (A14) are inaccurately too short front-to-rear as are the shallow recesses for them on the interior of the hull side. These 3D-printed bays are of the correct, longer length.  Additional care will be needed when installing Bay #1 and Bay #2.
 
3. On the real ship during its December, 1943 refit, the shape of the hull openings was slightly modified to provide space for the new Bofors tubs, ammunition clipping rooms and splinter shielding.  Your Trumpeter kit's openings have the original rectangular shape with rounded corners.  They will have to be trimmed.  During the 1943 refit, some of the rounded bottom corners were cut square.  See the port and starboard profile views in the downloadable plans in the link above to learn which corners need to be cut square:
 
Bay #1: square both bottom corners.
Bay #2: square both bottom corners.
Bay #3: square aft bottom corner.
Bay #4: square aft bottom corner.
Bay #5: square aft bottom corner.
 
4. The 3D-printed bays are accurately sized and shaped.  The Trumpeter kit's hull openings will need minor trimming to be able to accept the accurate bays.  After removing supports, test fit each 3D-printed bay to the Trumpeter kit's hull. Trim the edges of your Trumpeter kit's boat pocket openings for best fit as needed.  Trimming includes the rounded bottom corners of the boat pocket openings which must be cut square.
 
A late-war island, funnel, 5"/38 cal. Mk.32 twin-gun mounts, rudder, and "angle-back" Mk.37 fire control directors are also available separately.
 
 © Model Monkey LLC. This 3D-printed product may not be copied or recast.