USS Vincennes, CA-44, in 1/350 scale. One of the escorts on the Doolittle Raid

Jeff Head Model Shop ^ | April 5, 2017 | Jeff Head

[Swordmaker]

the USS Vincennes, CA-44, which tragically was launched six months later. . .

And here I thought it was the USS Philadelphia that went back and forth in time. . .

[Swordmaker]

The Doolittle Raid is one of the most inspiring events in US history.

My dad is mentioned in the book "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo". He was the Army Air Corps civilian employee Crew Chief who was revving the engines on the Ruptured Duck that Pilot and author Ted Lawson got angry with (Tim Considine, Editor). Lawson was as yet unaware of the mission parameters he, his crew, and the Ruptured Duck were destined for, but my father and his crew of aircraft mechanics were required to get those engines to 110% of their rated performance. If an engine could not reach that, it was pulled and a new one was put in place that would perform to that level. . . because they had to get the planes to take off speed in the short distance of a carrier deck.

My Dad was in the left seat of the Ruptured Duck, which was tied down and chocked, and was revving the engines while his crew was doing RPM tests, and other efficiency tests. Any blip, stutter, miss, at all in the engine and it would be pulled; they had to run like a perfectly tuned Swiss watch. Lawson had a cow about him abusing his beloved airplane!

My dad came with the idea of using water injection in the fuel mix to boost the power of the planes at take-off, similar to the water injection used on the fighter planes to boost horsepower. It worked. My Dad said they hit 115% plus on those engines.

[exit82]

Wow—great story about your father.

His idea and work helped get all those 16 bombers off the deck that day.

They pushed the limits of the technology of their day, and combined it with sheer guts and determination of the 80 volunteer Raiders, in order to bring the war directly to Tokyo.

[Boowhoknew]

Jeff, a timely coincidence that I bought a book about the Hornet today, “A ship to Remember ,The Saga of the Hornet” by Alexander R. Griffith, copyright 1943, with a forward note by Capt. Frank Akers
I enjoy your input and wondered, if your’e my age, did you buy models of Pyro’s Tabletop Navy? Early 1960s...I was a young naval buff back then and used the miniatures in my re enactments of naval battles I had read of. My dad ,a combat Marine, had a friend who was a navy photographer, and let me borrow a navy published book that had incredible pictures in it. Again thanks for your incredible model building and historical tie ins with your specific build.

[Jeff Head]

Oops...that was supposed to be “lost”. Had one of those “post 60” moments I suppose.

[Jeff Head]

Oops...that was supposed to be “lost”. Had one of those “post 60” moments I suppose.

[Jeff Head]

Oops...that was supposed to be “lost”. Had one of those “post 60” moments I suppose.

[Jeff Head]

Oops...my bad on the BB pennant. I have the New Jersey, and know that it is indeed BB-62.

Great ships...all four of them...and all four of them now museum ships.

They were modernized forty years after their launch, and it scarred the bejeevees out of the Russians. They could be modernized again (if we were willing) and they would still be made sea worthy and be used another 20 years.

The USS Enterprise, CVN-65, the first nuclear carrier. We built it from 1950-1960, commissioned her in 1961, and then she was used for almost 52 years, decommissioned in 2012.

We still have that naval building expertise.

[11Bush]

Gotta bookmark just in case I get off my ass and do a build. Great stuff Jeff, thank you.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks for your thoughts as well.

I am holing my wn. Even though the cancer is now considered terminal...the dangerous tumors in my live have simply not been growing very fast at all.

That's God's doing. He wants me aroudn a bit linger and I am okay with whatever He plans.

Here's a pic of mu USS ROnal;d Reagan I built a few months ago. I scratch built out the hangar, and then lit her. Thought you might enjoy a pic or two:

You can see her on Fine Scale modeling here:

HERE-with a couple of hundred photos

[Jeff Head]

I shwoed exit672 xome of my Reagan carrier build photos...I also posted that here on FR...

HERE

Take a look. It's one of my favorite builds. Although I did do the Enterprise in 1/350, and the USS Iwo Jima, LHD-7 in 1/350. Both of those were a lot of fun too.

Here's the Iwo Jima on Fine Scale Modeling

[Jeff Head]

Yes it is...and it why I am building those four ships and grouping them together.

Thanks for the post!

[Captainpaintball]

I enjoy all your posts. Keep on building ‘em.

[Nailbiter]

ping #7

[exit82]

Jeff, I read the article and looked at the pictures and comments about your model of the USS Ronald Reagan.

I am at a loss for words—that is a museum quality model—I wonder if the Reagan Library already has one. I love the lit hangar deck.

I hope Jesus needs model and diorama builders in Heaven.

We would have so much fun!

We are spiritual beings having an earthly experience. I am glad it is not permanent. On the day we are promoted to Heaven, thanks to Jesus, we will be healed completely and forever.

[Lurker]

Amazing work, My friend. I wish I had the patience for such a project.

Best,

L

[archy]

Just so. Accordingly, I'm passing a copy of this post on to the surviving members of the U.S.S. Vincennes Association, and to the director of the Vincennes Military Museum. And if you'd care to add one additional detail to/with your outstanding CA-44 model, right here you go. Better photos taken at your direction available on request.

Additional:

The day the memorial was dedicated, they flew the flags of all 50 states, though there were but 48 when CA-44 was in service:

Lest we forget: