USS IOWA Detailed book

[nvrsummer2]

Hello everyone,

We recently just received in our backyard the USS Iowa, BB-61. What an awesome ship. Although I wish they would return her to her WW2 look, i am very happy we have her. I would love to see the Kingfishers on a catapult off her stern.

Dos anyone know of any good books about her and her exploits? Id like to see a detailed cutaway of her internals. And what everything is and how it all worked together. Ill get to see it all for real, but for now the only have about 10% of the ship open for tour.

We took some really touristy pics last time we went. But I plan to ditch the wife and kid next time so I can really look at what I want. I can post pics if anyone would like.

But how about any book recommendations??

[Sailor Steve]

http://www.amazon.com/Iowa-Class-Battleships-Weapons-Equipment/dp/0870212982

http://www.amazon.com/The-Iowa-Class-Battleships-Wisconsin/dp/0713717327
I have this one and for the price it's quite good.

http://www.amazon.com/US-Fast-Battleships-1938-91-Class/dp/1846035112

http://www.amazon.com/Iowa-Class-Battleships-Robert-Sumrall/dp/0851774792
I don't have this one, but it is reputed to be the best on the subject.

http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Battleships-Illustrated-Design-History/dp/0870217151/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343586967&sr=1-8&keywords=Iowa+Class+%28Battleships%29
Knowing Friedman's reputation, this one probably really is the best.

[nvrsummer2]

Wow! Thank you. I did find several of those on Amazon myself. I just wanted to see which ones you guys liked. And it seems to be the same. Now I need to find a large detailed scale model of her that I can display in my house.

[Sailor Steve]

How big do you want? This 1/96 scale model is 9 feet long, and costs close to one thousand dollars just for the baseline kit.
http://scaleshipyard.com/Catalog%20Pages/battleships.html#WHU-B 10

A 1/350 scale model is about as large and as affordable as most homes can handle. Note that the Iowa is not currently available. You have to convert the Missouri kit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-350-Tamiya-Battleship-USS-Missouri-brand-new-factory-sealed-kit-7308-nice-/261074444517?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%2 52BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D15%26pmod%3D 320801007790%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D95707413885372463 7&_qi=RTM1062691

Of course if you want to do it up right you'll need special parts:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-350-350L13-9-x-406mm-metal-barrels-Iowa-New-Jersey-Missouri-Wisconsin-/130727000581?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%2 52BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D15%26pmod%3D 320801007790%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D95708477453504061 6&_qi=RTM1062688

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=45528

Things like etched-brass railings, antennae and doors add a lot to a model.

[nvrsummer2]

As the kids would say, Sailor Steve, youre the SHIZZ!! :har:

Thanks for the links. Gonna grab a book and if my interest stays ill loo into one of those models. Im sure converting the Missouri into an Iowa is as simple as the stickers. But didnt the Iowa have a different bridge than the other 3? Guess ill find out in my book!!

[Pyrolosis]

I took the tour of the Iowa, I was awesome and disapointing at the same time. Yes only ten or less percent is viewable at the moment. But they plan on having several different tour's at some point. Engineering, Armorments, Birthing and so fourth. I am currently drinking my Cup of Joe out of my Big Stick mug that I got in the gift shop on board her. Also got a black mug with "got freedom?" on the front and BB-61 with an American flag on the back. As I drink ALOT of coffee.:salute:
The ship was in poor shape, Decks were all rotted, and floors were warped, but she is going to be refurbished with all the proceeds. I even heard that they are soon going to serve lunch's in the aft galley which I thought would have been cool. So everyone, if you visit. Buy something in the shop to help restore BB-61 "The Big Stick" Iowa along. :)