I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing By......Part 2: USS Indianapolis

[danbuoy]

My second build for this GB will be the Matchbox USS Indianapolis;

 

20220715_082939 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

In contrast to the subject of my first build thread, the relatively unknown USS San Diego, Indianapolis is a very famous (perhaps even infamous) ship, though sadly for very tragic reasons. A Portland class heavy cruiser (Indy and Portland being the only ships of the class), she was launched in 1931. Main armament was 9x 8in guns in three triple turrets. Indianapolis served with distinction right from the start of the war, escaping damage at Pearl Harbor as she was conducting a mock bombardment of Johnston Atoll. She served in most of the major campaigns in the Pacific, before, after an overhaul, starting down the path that would lead to her tragic end. 

 

She was selected to transport the enriched uranium (then half the world's supply), plus other parts for the Little Boy atomic bomb, destined for Hiroshima, to the island of Tinian. These were successfully delivered on 26th July 1945. Indianapolis then set out for Guam, where some (unknowingly lucky) crewmen who had completed their tours of duty left the ship. She set sail from Guam on 28th July, heading for Leyte. Sailing alone, en route she was spotted by the Japanese submarine I-58. Two torpedoes struck her on the starboard side, one at the bow, and one amidships. The vessel went down in only 12 minutes, taking with her 300 of her crew. This was tragic enough, but 900 or so crew survived to enter the water and await rescue. Unfortunately, due to the secret nature of her mission, the ship was not reported as overdue, and it wasn't until three and a half days later that the survivors were spotted by the crew of a PV-1 Ventura. Not being a flying boat, all the crew could do was drop a life raft, report the position and radio for assistance. By this time, out of the original 900, only 316 were still alive, due to a combination of dehydration, exposure, and, most famously, shark attacks. Although this aspect definitely was a factor, it may have been exaggerated over the years. The number of men said to have been killed by sharks ranges from a few dozen to 150, and it may well have been that sharks were mainly attacking sailors who had already died. Whatever the real circumstances, it must have been absolutely horrific to be floating in the water, desperately cold and thirsty, only to see shark fins appear, and it is this that most people now think of when the topic of the Indianapolis comes up, helped no doubt by Quint's memorable monologue in Jaws.

 

First to arrive at the scene was a PBY Catalina, which, against orders, landed on the sea and took on board 56 sailors. Not being able to take off in this condition, the Catalina became a lifeboat until rescue ships arrived. The plane would end up too damaged by her ordeal to take off, so once the survivors and crew had been removed, it was sunk by gunfire. Two survivors would sadly die later in hospital. USS Indianapolis would remain undiscovered until 19th August 2017, when she was found at a depth of 18,000 feet (5,500 metres), well preserved, but with her bow broken off.

 

Just hoping I can do this great ship justice with my model!

Edited January 4, 2023 by danbuoy

[Col.]

The story of this ship and her crew makes your choice to model her all the more worthy Dan. Thanks for taking the time to tell it.

[danbuoy]

Time for USS Indianapolis to slip her moorings and get underway!

 

More Matchbox 2 colour goodness with the sprues, and colourful box!

 

20230110_204017 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

20230110_204100 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

One more page of instructions than with San Diego, with a very busy looking last step;

 

20230110_204312 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

20230110_204328 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

A bit of light reading to help me along, the US Navy book actually being my first eBay purchase of 2023;

 

20230110_204517 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Hull sides and bottom all fixed together nicely, with the deck not fixed in place yet, but just placed to keep the sides apart whilst drying;

 

20230110_224052 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Indy is a touch longer than San Diego, but noticeably broader about the beam;

 

20230110_224122 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Assembled the gun turrets, apart from the life rafts on the top. The barrels actually just slot into place and aren't glued so that they can still be played with elevated and depressed;

 

20230110_224145 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

And assembled both the funnels, complete with life rafts on the taller one;

 

20230110_224214 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Of course, I had to dry fit two of the turrets, just to see how they look;

 

20230110_224318 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Was hoping to get more done last night, but time beat me again. Will start on the superstructure next time.

[Bertie McBoatface]

Good story, well told. Good start too.

[danbuoy]

Got a bit more done on Indy last night. Rear superstructure with floatplane hangar;

 

20230111_212217 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

This bit connects to it, slotting in just in between the above section, and the aft 8in turret;

 

20230111_212137 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Start of the forward superstructure, with B turret dry fitted for now;

 

20230111_212113 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Floatplane catapult;

 

20230111_212232 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

So this is how she is now looking with all those pieces dry fitted on the deck;

 

20230111_212358 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

[Bertie McBoatface]

She was a nice looking ship 🙂

[danbuoy]

15 minutes ago, Bertie McBoatface said:

She was a nice looking ship 🙂

She was. I know some people think the Portland class are ugly, mainly due to the gap amidships just in front of the hangar, but I think they look quite graceful.

[ArnoldAmbrose]

Gidday @danbuoy, I think the direction that a ship is viewed from can make a big difference to her appeal. Regards, Jeff.

[danbuoy]

2 minutes ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

Gidday @danbuoy, I think the direction that a ship is viewed from can make a big difference to her appeal. Regards, Jeff.

True. And of course, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder!

[Bertie McBoatface]

I was looking at the climbing superstructure from the bow, the leap over the seaplane and then the slope to the stern. I think its a dynamic look. Makes me think of an Evel Knievel stunt.

[danbuoy]

2 minutes ago, Bertie McBoatface said:

I was looking at the climbing superstructure from the bow, the leap over the seaplane and then the slope to the stern. I think its a dynamic look. Makes me think of an Evel Knievel stunt.

And if he could incorporate the catapult at some point, even better!

[danbuoy]

Got the main bridge assembled last night. Interesting how it goes together with the mast structure incorporated within it;

 

20230123_225017 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

This goes on the very top, but leaving it off whilst the support underneath dries;

 

20230123_225047 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

And here it is all dry fitted;

 

20230123_225321 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Probably not going to attach much more, until I get it primed and painted.

[TonyOD]

Looking great. And personally I think there’s a lot to be said for a gap amidships.

[Bertie McBoatface]

3 hours ago, danbuoy said:

Probably not going to attach much more, until I get it primed and painted.

 

I was just about to suggest that the green was a bit intense. I forgot it was a Matchbox kit. D'oh!

[danbuoy]

9 minutes ago, Bertie McBoatface said:

 

I was just about to suggest that the green was a bit intense. I forgot it was a Matchbox kit. D'oh!

Yes, currently in all its vibrant 2 colour glory!

[danbuoy]

More life rafts last night! After sorting out the 16 on San Diego, it was time for the 14 on Indianapolis. Almost, almost lost one to the carpet monster, but was able to snatch it back out of his jaws.

 

20230125_224507 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

20230125_224523 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Also realised I needed to adjust the top of the bridge, as part of it had been installed too far forward (obviously not referring to my reference material enough!). Luckily, I was able to sort it!

[Bertie McBoatface]

Good save on the bridge

 

(Don't forget the flash on the gun barrels)

[danbuoy]

Just now, Bertie McBoatface said:

Good save on the bridge

 

(Don't forget the flash on the gun barrels)

Yes, I thought that when I saw the photos! Turrets are only dry fitted (as indeed are the gun barrels themselves), so will be able to tidy them up before priming/painting.

[Bertie McBoatface]

9 minutes ago, danbuoy said:

Yes, I thought that when I saw the photos! Turrets are only dry fitted (as indeed are the gun barrels themselves), so will be able to tidy them up before priming/painting.

 

Our enlarged photos are so revealing!

[danbuoy]

After the frantic scramble to get my 2 half tracks finished for the Armoured Cars and Half tracks GB, I had a week off from modelling, but it was good to be back in the plastic shipyard last night. Got second coats on part of Indy's hull, plus the vertical parts of the superstructure and the gun barrels and turrets;

 

20230227_230235 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

20230227_230435 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

20230227_230209 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

[danbuoy]

Horizontal surfaces and rear deck painted last night. If I built this kit again (and I would be tempted to), I would probably paint more parts prior to assembly. 

 

 

Also got the turret tops painted. Just a couple of small touch ups required. 

 

 

[ArnoldAmbrose]

12 minutes ago, danbuoy said:

I would probably paint more parts prior to assembly. 

       Gidday, I try to as much as possible. I find it's easier to paint awkward-to-get-at pieces such as the inside of bulwarks and balustrades, bulkheads etc if parts are separate. Also the demarcation between bulkheads and the decks below them if they're separate.

       I'm enjoying seeing these come together. I'm considering a USN destroyer soon, Fletcher or Sumner class.       Regards, Jeff.

[danbuoy]

35 minutes ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

       Gidday, I try to as much as possible. I find it's easier to paint awkward-to-get-at pieces such as the inside of bulwarks and balustrades, bulkheads etc if parts are separate. Also the demarcation between bulkheads and the decks below them if they're separate.

       I'm enjoying seeing these come together. I'm considering a USN destroyer soon, Fletcher or Sumner class.       Regards, Jeff.

Indianapolis in particular has quite a few difficult to reach parts of the superstructure once its all assembled. 

 

Not that it will be appearing in this group build but I have just bought the old Revell 1/306 USS Fletcher. Detail not up to modern standards but thought it would be a good place to start with larger scale ships.

[danbuoy]

Quick update tonight with the vertical surfaces receiving a second coat, plus the gun tubs on the stern have also been painted. 

 

 

[Col.]

All this pre-painting will pay off during final assembly Dan