Iowa Class Battleships and Alaska Class Large Cruisers Conversion Projects 1942-1964: An Illustrated Technical Reference

Average Customer Rating: List Price: $24.11 Asia Trips Trips Price: $21.69 Your Savings: $ 2.42 ( 10% ) Subject To Change Without Notice Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer: Nimble Books LLC
Binding: Paperback EAN: 9781934840382 ISBN: 1934840386 Label: Nimble Books LLC Manufacturer: Nimble Books LLC Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 40 Publication Date: 2008-04-18 Publisher: Nimble Books LLC Release Date: 2008-04-18 Studio: Nimble Books LLC
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Editorial Reviews: This book presents an overview of proposed conversions of the Iowa class battleships and Alaska class large cruisers from 1942 to 1964. This book covers 16 conversions, with line drawings and full color original art illustrations for 11 of 16 proposed projects. Coverage extends from MACK-equipped double-ended Talos Guided Missile Battleship designs to Jupiter-IRBM-carrying "Missile Monitor" designs. This is a truly unique volume that provides not only new proposed conversion information, but a look at the ongoing US Navy modernization and experimentation projects of the early postwar/cold war era. This book is a must for those who have an interest in battleships in general and the Iowa class in particular.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: OUTSIDE THE BOX Comment: This is a new departure in warship history. Rather that reviewing the "what if" scenarios in text or in two dimentional line drawings, this author has utilized his artistic talents to bring to life these design concepts of alternate ideas for use of these warships. Especially interesting is the artwork for the Iowa Class Battleships converted to missile ships similar to the Albany class cruisers of the cold war era. Previous artwork just did this no justice, but Mr. Scarpaci has definitely brought them to life! Well Done! Customer Rating: Summary: Iowa Class conversions review Comment: This is unfortunately one of the most disappointing books I have read on these great warships. The text is very loosely spaced and occupies barely 21 pages, with very few illustrations. The only positive are the paintings of the possible look of the ships as modified in service. The text does not even cover the Vietnam era updates or the other possible conversions considered in the 1970's and 1980's, which would have made it more worthwhile. A very limited book and a great disappointment, and very poor value as well. I returned it immediately. Customer Rating: Summary: MaritimeQuest Review Comment: The decline of the battleship began on December 7, 1941 when carrier based aircraft attacked and sank the U.S. battleship fleet at Pearl Harbor. Three days later on December 10 Japanese aircraft sank the British battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, this time the battleships were not sitting ducks like at Pearl, but were underway at full battle readiness. The reign of the battleship was over. The Iowa class battleships of the U.S. Navy were under construction at this time, they would serve through the war, but after the guns fell silent what would become of them? The navy proposed several conversions to keep the battleship relevant, however none were carried out. In his book, Iowa Class Battleships and Alaska Class Large Cruisers Conversion Projects, Wayne Scarpaci explores these conversions and illustrates them with his original artwork and line drawings of what the ships might have looked like. The 31 page book is a quick read and explores the proposed armament schemes and how the redesigned battleships would be employed. There has not been much written about this subject so this book should be of great interest to battleship fans around the world. Michael W. Pocock Customer Rating: Summary: Not worth $1 per page Comment: With 24 pages of real content (not counting index, title page, colophon, blank pages at the end) and a large typesize at that, I was very disappointed in this book. Each conversion project was given at most two paragraphs of attention, while every other one got a nice piece of lineart and a full color painting. The projects themselves were interesting and informative, but there is only so much you can learn in a single paragraph. Were it not for the illustrations and artwork (which are all beautiful) I would have given this one star. Were it half the price I would have given it three. Customer Rating: Summary: A very useful supplement - Highly recommended Comment: This is a very useful, consise book. In order to fully appreciate the full design processes behind the projects listed in the book it is best read in conjunction with Friedman's Illustrated Design History of US Battleships, which offers a 'fuller' design history and places the plans in context. The artwork and line drawings in Mr. Scarpaci's book are first rate and allow a very clear view as to what the ships may have looked like if ever built. One small critisim is the ommission of any plan views to accompany the excellent profile drawings. All in all, a very good work - I hope the first of many from this author on similar topics! More Reviews