Dengeki Hobby Magazine, March 2014 issue

New product announcements

Above right: ad for Yamato 2199 Modeling Guide “Return Volume” book

Place the aircraft like this!

Dramatic interpretation of the
flight deck seen on a real ship

Text and photos: Hideki Kaikatashi

The Guipellon-class multi-deck carrier comes with many aircraft. In order to produce an authentic deck for the kit, we’ll illustrate by way of example the arrival and departure of aircraft on a real carrier. Although an aircraft carrier is definitely large, it is still narrow compared to an airbase on land. Therefore, it is essential to take full advantage of the limited area of the flight deck to operate the aircraft efficiently.

In the diagrams for takeoff and landing, it is shown that the use of the flight deck changes drastically for aircraft either arriving or departing. This is the aircraft “flow line,” a technique of variable placement.

At the time of takeoff, an aircraft is lifted up from the hangar to the rear of a catapult, the aircraft and armaments are inspected, and final checks are made while in standby. Then the aircraft is launched from the catapult.

At the time of landing, an aircraft lands on the angled deck side. The engines are cut, the wings are folded, and the craft is moved to a holding area on the bow. It is drawn by a towing vehicle to an elevator, taken down to the hangar, and moved to the rear deck. The arrival and departure process on the carrier flight deck means a change of work layout based on the movement of aircraft.

The parking method of the aircraft symbolizes the skill of the “deck apes” on a carrier to utilize the work area effectively. If the difference between takeoff and landing configurations on a ship is reproduced in the model kit, its “realism” should improve. To simulate the takeoff configuration, the aircraft would be lined up behind the angled deck at the stern with the nose of the planes pointing toward the inside. For the landing configuration, the aircraft would collect at the bow with their noses pointed forward while moving to park. The nose of an aircraft taking off points to the side deck, and the nose of an aircraft landing faces the bow. The difference in the nose direction of the planes indicates the difference between their movement and that of the towing vehicles.

There is one more point to make, how the rear of an aircraft protrudes off the deck. This occurs in particular when planes are parked along the sides and the tail assemblies stick out. At this time, it’s best to fold the wings. This creates a more packed-in feeling on the left and right, and is a key to effective use of a narrow flight deck.

Traffic control on the flight deck is like a board game

Being responsible for traffic control on an aircraft carrier can be called a battlefield of overcrowding. The post in this department is “flight deck controller.” A spotting board is installed on the bridge that simulates the deck, and a “frame” imitates each aircraft. Takeoff and landing work progresses according to deck operations. The officer responsible for the movement of aircraft and supply replenishment is called a “Handler.” This officer commands maintenance and arrangement of the deck crew. Unexpectedly, deck work and its command are all “human powered.”

Photo at right: Flight deck controller room on the US aircraft carrier George Washington. The spotting board is in the center, and the handler wears a yellow jersey. An executive from the Japanese Marine Self Defense Force observes.

Above left: The spotting board of the US aircraft carrier Midway. The warship is a museum, and the shape of each plane and machine is displayed on the flight deck.

Above right: A frame displayed on the stern of the Midway represents an A-3 Skywarrior. Yellow thumbscrews on the frame show the maintenance schedule. The state of the body is shown and makes full use of various tools.


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