USS Washington BB56 Scale Model Fleet


	USS Washington BB56 Scale Model Fleet

Michael Bowen

The building of this model has been a true adventure. I've never considered myself to be a true model builder. On the other hand I have enjoyed wood working my entire life. As for my story on the model... it started by making small wooden cars, trucks, trains, planes, etc., for my youngest son Reese when I decided to build a ship. Searching the web on "battleships" I found this site on the USS Washington, and from that moment I was on a mission. The fabulous information contained on this site including; the diagrams, the photos, and the inspiration of the other models left me with a strong desire to build a model. I emerged from our home office, and when my wife asked if I found a ship to build, I laid out the two diagrams from this site plotted to scale. When I said this is it, she thought I was kidding. The next day I purchased a few boards and began construction of the hull. The rest of the ship is built from scrap wood from my garage. My wife Sue, daughter Chrissy, and sons Warren, Tony, and Reese have all watched as the ship has taken shape one piece at a time.
Being an engineer I kept track of each piece, the date I built it, and how long it took to make. I also kept track of the costs. (Click here to view spreadsheet) Looking back at the time spent the one hundred hours was a good investment when about all that I gave up was an hour here or there of TV time. For those interested in taking on a project like this I challenge you to keep track for one month, day to day, how many hours of TV you watch. Give up some of those TV hours and you'll be amazed what you can accomplish.

Email Mike Bowen at
mbowen@bf.umich.edu

Historical Facts - Battle Actions - Historic Photographs - Third Battle of Savo - Dimensions & Diagram - Ships Armament - Ship Captains & Admirals
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Michael Bowen
The building of this model has been a true adventure. I've never considered myself to be a true model builder. On the other hand I have enjoyed wood working my entire life. As for my story on the model... it started by making small wooden cars, trucks, trains, planes, etc., for my youngest son Reese when I decided to build a ship. Searching the web on "battleships" I found this site on the USS Washington, and from that moment I was on a mission. The fabulous information contained on this site including; the diagrams, the photos, and the inspiration of the other models left me with a strong desire to build a model. I emerged from our home office, and when my wife asked if I found a ship to build, I laid out the two diagrams from this site plotted to scale. When I said this is it, she thought I was kidding. The next day I purchased a few boards and began construction of the hull. The rest of the ship is built from scrap wood from my garage. My wife Sue, daughter Chrissy, and sons Warren, Tony, and Reese have all watched as the ship has taken shape one piece at a time. Being an engineer I kept track of each piece, the date I built it, and how long it took to make. I also kept track of the costs. (Click here to view spreadsheet) Looking back at the time spent the one hundred hours was a good investment when about all that I gave up was an hour here or there of TV time. For those interested in taking on a project like this I challenge you to keep track for one month, day to day, how many hours of TV you watch. Give up some of those TV hours and you'll be amazed what you can accomplish.