Superstructure

Superstructure

The superstructure is made from various thicknesses of plastic card (styrene sheet). Styrene can warp if not properly supported. I always build a strong supporting structure of thicker sheet.  Styrene sheet can also be affected by sunlight if unpainted, and warp if it gets too hot, as I live in the not so sunny UK I have never had a problem with warping from heat build up or had any of the other problems associated with it.

 I have acquired some foam cored PVC, (palight I think) which glues very well with cyno glue, which I believe is less susceptible to the problems associated with styrene. I plan to use the PVC on another project.

 

The tall narrow forward superstructure is a distinctive feature and is quite complex.

It narrows two thirds of the way up the transition between the narrow and wide parts is angled with the front of the unit being curved.  the rear portion narrows again into the 'mack' (combined funnel and mast) That's before you get to the two bridges and decks !

 

I was building from a copy of the US Navy's builders plan. which shows a deck by deck break down.  The image below shows the internal decks, although these are not visible on the completed model they help keep the structure stable and strong.  When looking at the image the bottom four decks are the wider part the top two are the  narrower portion. I was planning to skin it with a thin sheet which is the reason for the 4 lower decks. If you used thicker sheet you may be able to cut out the inner two but you may still need to brace the skin.

This was always going to be a working RC model so the superstructure will be handled on a regular basis, this always a factor in my build plan.

 

Below Two front views of  the skinned unit with the two bridges added after skinning, the windows have not yet been cut out, note the transition between the lower and upper super structure.

 

note the rear angled surface at the rear

 

 

 

Rear super structure and radar mast