Lexington CC1

I want to thank all of you for the kind words. it really helps. I`ve been thinking of continuing the class history. But I don`t know if I should post them here, or in the OD section. I have the 1925 version done, the only change is the removal of the "rigging" above the railings and the addition of a catapult and an aviation crane on the stern. I am thinking about adding new engines and a massive armor upgrade for 1929-1930, would that be feasible? After all, she was only armored to withstand 6" shells.

I say keep the drawings coming! I want to see more iterations.

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"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did." Thomas Edward Lawrence, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom

I'd like to see a early-mid 30's refit with tripod masts and more AA.

I already have the 1925 and 1933 versions done. Her refit history will pararell to that of the Tennessee/Colorado classes, which means there will be no extensive modifications to the superstructure, and no tripod masts.

Here`s the 1925 version with added catapult:
[ img ]

Here`s the 1933 version with a new plane, torpedo bulges, massively reinforced armor, 10x5"/25 AA guns and 8 .50 cal MGs:
[ img ]

The 1933 version might benefit of having the (now) obolete steam barcasses replaced with appropriate outfit of motor personnel boats/-cutters etc. Other than that they look awesome!
One question: did you use the 5"/25 that I completely redrew for the Northamptons? It looks very similar...

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My Avatar:Петр Алексеевич Безобразов (Petr Alekseevich Bezobrazov), Вице-адмирал , царская ВМФ России(1845-1906) - I sign my drawings as Ari Saarinen

I will replace the boat then. And yes, the 5"/25s are from your Northampton drawing.

Karle your work is superb, I always look to your work for inspiration and reference for my own designs. Keep up the good work.

I love that you are drawing this ship throughout her possible history, but there are a couple of changes I would suggest:

I don't know why the Navy jack would be flown from the head of the mainmast, that usually flies at the bow if the ship is in port and isn't flown if the ship is at sea. A commissioning pennant may be flown from the mainmast.

The 3" gun at the stern, I would either get rid of it or add more 3" guns elsewhere. In the 30's I believe the navy didn't tend to mix 3" and 5" AA guns but if they did I doubt they would have 10 of one kind and 2 of another.

The torpedo bulges on US Navy ships always cover more area than the belt, both length and height. The big 5 and Lexingtons had effective (at the time) internal compartmentalization for torpedo protection and non of the big 5 had additional bulges fitted before Pearl Harbor. I would think Lex would be the same except that you have her going through a major refit adding more weight of armor so I guess it is conceivable that she would have been bulged to compensate for that. Even so your bulge doesn't look like any contemporary design.

Same goes for your .50 cals. The way they are arranged does not look like anything done anywhere else and that more than anything else with this drawing bothers me.

I hope you plan on continuing the series of drawings through the end of WWII, I can't wait to see what else you come up with.

Wow, you highly flattered me! Thank you, Karle94 for using them! (i wouldn't have griped if you've drawn them yourself, considering I never got 5"/25s uploaded as parts, just had to ask, since they looked so familiar...

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