| The Barnegat Class
After many lessons learned during the service of the earlier seaplane
tenders, individual characteristics from several of them were desired to
be combined into one vessel. These characteristics included; aircraft and
weapons repair shops, aircraft crew and support crew facilities, weapons
and fuel storage capacities, operating range and ability to conduct operations
independent of other fleet vessels, air defense and fire support capabilities,
and the ability to navigate and turn around in shallow or restricted waterways.
With all of these desired capabilities in mind, the US Navy’s Bureau
of Ships designed and commenced the building of the USS Barnegat AVP-10
class of small seaplane tenders with the keel of the USS Barnegat being
laid down in October 1939 and with her commissioning in July 1942.
Thirty-five ships of this class were built AVPs 10-13; 21-26, 29-41,
48-55 including four PT Boat Tender variants, AGPs 6-9.
After WWII sixteen AVPs and two AGPs were given to the USCG to be reclassified
as 311' Cutters or Casco Class Cutters. The 1950 version of the ship is
the subject of this review.
This new conversion set is the result of master modeler Carl Musselman's
obsession with the Barnegat Class seaplane tenders. Carl's father served
on the USS
Duxbury Bay (AVP-38) and after creating his own scale version he created
these kits to allow others to do their own version. |
| There are two options for this conversion kit. You can
get it with or without the hull as USCG 311' Cutter 1950s 1/350 Conversion
Set for $45.00. If you already have the ISW USS Mackinac kit, then you
don't need the hull. However you can add one to the set to make it the
USCG 311' Cutter 1950s PLUS 1/350 Conversion Set for $69.00. The hull is
available separately for $30.00. |
|
| HULL |
|
| The hull is cast waterline style with much of the lower
superstructure in place. It is cleanly cast with sharp details. The hull
even includes some subtle hull plating detail. The stern towing rails are
cast on saving you a ton of time scratchbuilding. There is some flash to
be trimmed here, but overall this hull will need very little cleanup. |A
base ring for a 5" 38 cal mount is provided however you will have to supply
your own gun. |
Click images
to enlarge |
 |
|
|
| SUPERSTRUCTURE |
|
| The upper decks and superstructure are cast as a single part with plenty
of molded on details like the lockers with hinges and the ventilator trunking
. Portholes are cast open and are nicely recessed. You will have to flat
sand this part a little to remove the resin wafer from the bottom. I use
sheets of sandpaper taped to a glass pane to keep everything nice and level. |
 |
|
|
| BRIDGE, FUNNEL, PLATFORMS AND DETAILS |
|
| The bridge is well cast with nice detailing on the surface. Nice clean
evenly spaced portholes with the sunshade cast over them. The platform
with the gun tubs and other parts will also need some flat sanding to remove
the excess resin on the bottom. The funnel features nice detailing with
opened up holes on top. |
 |
|
|
| These are the 40 mm gun tubs used on the cutter. Only the large one
mounted on the bow would still have a gun installed in it. |
 |
|
|
| New structures for the MK-52 Director are provided. |
 |
|
|
| New boat davits and towing capstans are included as well as a nice
6MC Reproducer and crane pedestal. |
 |
|
|
| These parts are specific to the 311' Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Bering
Strait. They include new deck levels, two different oceanographic labs
and two different Mk52 Gun Director Platforms. large and small. Torpedo
Splinter Shields with two different cutout openings are provided. They
are well cast with minimal flash. |
 |
|
|
| DECALS |
|
| Carl has added some really nice decals with lettering to the kit. |
 |
| INSTRUCTIONS |
|
| The instructions consist of seven pages showing the subassemblies using
photographs of the process. 'These are well illustrated and descriptive
as unlike many resin producers Carl actually builds his kits. |
 |
|
If you purchase the Plus Set you also get One Digital Booklet of General
Plans featuring either USCGC Cook Inlet or USCGC Coos Bay. Include a note
indicating which one you would prefer during Checkout. Regular Sets don't
include drawings or hull.
Drawings are in digital form and can be purchased separately. Flight
specific drawings are from micro film images from the NARA.
1. O1 Deck
2. O2 Deck
3. O3 Deck
4. Sponson Support Arch
5. Mk52 Gun Director Platform #1
6. Mk52 Gun Director Platform #2
7. Quad 40mm Gun Tub
8. Stack
9. Ventilation Blowers
10. Mk51 Gun Director Platform
11. Boat Davits Left & Right (2 sets)
12. Port Catwalk |
13. Starboard Catwalk
14. Balloon Hangar/Shelter (Tall)
14b. Balloon Hangar/Shelter (Short . Not shown)
15. Laboratory Compartment
16. Helium Bottle Storage Compt.
17. Torpedo Splinter Shields (Narrow Openings)
18. Torpedo Splinter Shields (Wide Openings)
19. Twin 40mm Gun Tubs
20. Waterline Hull (If included)
21. 6MC Reproducer (Not Shown)
22. Crane Pedestal (Not Shown)
23. Towing Bitt (Not Shown)
24. Towing Capstan (Not Shown) |
|
| COMPLETED KIT |
|
| A completed kit based on this conversion set can be seen in the Model
Ship Gallery. |
 |
| Conclusions: |
|
 If
your tired of all gray ship, then this little cutter may spice things up
a bit. The casting is very professional, especially considering Carl has
only been at it for a couple of years. This conversion set is a great way
to start you own Coast Guard Cutter. The USCG 311' Cutter 1950s PLUS 1/350
Conversion Set lists for $69.00 US. You can buy this set direct from Carl
on the Back-Aft
Models website.
If your looking for a specific ship of the class, Carl can help there
too. |
