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[karla]

I have just started creation of a highly detailed model of a modernised Essex class carrier of the 1970s. It is going to be an enhanced version of my USS Oriskany (with a pedigree going back through western022 and Hawk). If anyone is already working on a similar model please let me know so we can avoid duplication and hopefully cooperate. I aim to have it completed by October this year.

The intention is to develop a model with extreme levels of detail so the view from the cockpit is as real as we can get it. It seems logical that we should pour loads of detail onto a carrier because we expect plenty of detail over a wide area when we use an land-based airfield. Novelties such as moving elevators, fluttering flags, animated radar and so on will be sacrificed to obtain the best visual appeal.

The choice of "Pretty Dick" is fairly arbitrary but it will complete the Hancock attack carrier class for the game. If you have any strong preferences for another carrier - let me know. (I guess there will be fans of the surviving museum pieces out there). The Midway and Forrestal classes were considered but moving into this particular age was thought to be too advanced for our game which is very limited in terms of radar, navaids, HUD and modern electronic instrumentation.

Sources of carrier detail will be welcomed eg. deck surface close ups, sponson fittings, flight deck handling equipment etc.

[BOYAN]

Hello Karla! TBH, there were a couple of times I wished you would come back and make some more wonders on SCB-125s...

Do you have these books perhaps? http://ebookee.org/USS-Lexington-in-detail-amp-scale-D-amp-S-Vol-29-Repost-_2121125.html

http://ebookee.org/Warship-s-Data-4-USS-Intrepid-CV-11-_641583.html

http://ebookee.org/Warship-s-Data-5-USS-Yorktown-CV-10-Repost-_2053833.html

That is the most detailed source of information I have found in book format that include SCB-125 modernizations.
Drawings on them are also limited, here is the best one, from Intrepid book...



Do you plan to add some more polys the hull line? It would make the hull near the water line look smoother, the transitions between model sections I mean...

There is also the look of the whole hangar deck. It looks to tall IMO, the elevator openings should be a little shorter, hence all of the sponsons would be a little higher.

Would you consider modeling blast deflectors? Mr. Western made them for the french carriers...

I`ll be able to help with the research, SCB-125s are my favorite carriers, just ask for anything you need.

[BOYAN]

Are these the kind of details you are planning?





That OLS would be so cool to see, with some lights perhaps... Or imagine if actually some coding magician would be able to make it actually work, even a little bit, too low-too high function for example...

http://lets.rolloutnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/03-mk-10-mod-0-optical-landing-system-the-meatball.jpg

[BOYAN]

The Russian site I found a couple of years ago... Has port side drawings of the ship, and some details also...

http://wunderwaffe.narod.ru/Magazine/MK/2000_01/Draw/index.htm

http://wunderwaffe.narod.ru/Magazine/MK/2000_01/Draw/08.jpg

[karla]

Thanks for your efforts Boyan, the images and guides will be used.

A little work has just gone in to improving hull and flight deck textures. I thought it best to list (mainly for my own use) what I aim to achieve over the next few months. I'll report progress from time to time.

1 modify safety netting
2 additional crew (consult Rawners)
3 reduce size; more detail
4 larger champher; more detail
5 rotating radar
6 more mast and radar detail
7 enhance stack
8 deeper shadows
9 much more detail; texture and 3D additions
10 thicker whips
11 more detailed additions
12 study and modify
13 FLOLS if possible
14 review scale and detail
15 flight deck static equipment; vehicles, trollies
16 enhance and modify
17 more detail and 3D
18 additional 3D
19 increase vertices

Plus -
jet blast screens
extra waves
re-orientate radar
elevator up/down option
change hues
improved textures
better weathering
doors randomise
eliminate surplus vertices
hull verticals
square water pipes
mission with task force disposition
review collision boxes
always triangulate; eliminate unwanted vertices
simple single model release

[AG-51_Razor]

How will you depict the Jet Blast Deflectors? I wonder if it is possible for the ship model to detect when a player sets his chocks on the Cat, which would cause the JBD to erect? If so, then maybe they would retract when the player again hits his chocks to launch?

[Tofolo]

Looking forward to it. I always had the feeling that there was something wrong with the scale.

Best luck with this project.

[karla]

Here is the current state of the development just to demonstrate that something is happening. (Replacement of two hard disk failures along with several unsuccessful reinstalls of Vista, concluding with a final install of Ubuntu, slowed progress a little).

More details are being added to this part of the island with the stack to follow. I will then add detail to the mast and arrays before I post again.

[BravoFxTrt]

Awesome Karla.

[SAS~Gerax]

Looks very good Karla! 

[western0221]

Hi karla!

I have to tell you somethings about USS Essex 1960.

1. Radars rotating , range finders directing
All the radars carried on Essex 1960s have thier own functions rotating, range finders also.
Thier rotating parameters are written in ships.ini and worked by ShipExtentions MOD.
Please not to delete thier functions.
And it needs to keep the original axis and pivot in all the 3D.
When you want to see thier rotating, start a mission game (not in FMB).

2. Handrails on the mast
Watching the photos of Real Essex class, around raders there are no handrails because of not to collide radars rotating.

3. bottom of the hull
Ships in 1946 , sometimes they may roll-over when hard damaged.
So, ship builders are needed to make hull's 3D completely to the bottom.
Diving_Hawk and I made so.

4. Jet Blust Deflector
I've prepaired JBD working in ShipExtentions and Engine MOD patch , and implemented on my Clemeancau class carriers.
What 3D parts are needed are seen on Clemeancau class.
And JBD needs special Java coding in ship own classfile, please request me to make a classfile after finishing 3D.


About points 1/2/3 , I've fixed USS Hancock from your one.
but I've been wondering to expand your amazing 3D works to other Essex families and how to share common textures (or 3D parts) to decrease installing disk space.
But I haven't had the time to do them.
So, I don't release the result to the public.

[karla]

Thanks chaps and thank you western. I have understood your comments and may (or may not) do rotating radar. I will not include underwater details - because I have no desire to see this ship sinking. Jet blast deflector will probably be made - and possibly activated by pilot.

The latest image is a Blender screenshot and I think the number of vertices is increasing rapidly. I will carry on at this rate however until my PC or IL2 says that's enough. I am aware there is a limit on the number of vertices in IL2.

At the moment I am still adding, scaling, positioning and tweaking details on the island before I move to the next stage, which will be the hull.