1/350 scale LHD hospital ship. Need help with radars.

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

I am well on my way to creating a “what if” LHD hospital/humanitarian relief ship in 1/350 scale which is converted from a Gallery Models USS WASP kit.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8821/27679933963_95849ecdb9_k.jpg
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=156955

MY MAIN QUESTIONS ARE:
I don’t know anything when it comes to sensors, radars, and electronics. In the following pages/pics, I’m not sure what Part #'s to keep vs. what Part #'s not to use? Combat systems are a no brainer. For example, I wouldn’t need Part #'s J2, J62, and C10 on Page 28.
But what else? What to keep vs. what to get rid of? For those that are more familiar with radar and sensor systems, what would you suggest I have?

After reviewing the instruction pages time and time again as well as doing various research, I’ve “temporarily” come up with the following. Let me know what you think. I’ll keep all the round “dome” comms, but may put them in different areas/positions on the ship.

Page 28
https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8564/27694537443_01d56b8dcb_c.jpg
REMOVE:
J2, J62, C10, C17, RAM & Seasparrow launchers, Phalanx CIWS, C42, C43, C44, J16, J78, J42, J91, J82, K91,

KEEP OR UNDECIDED:
A83, C60, J9, J33, J17, J38+J44, A40

Page 29
https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8594/27694537473_fb425f2984_b.jpg
REMOVE:
SPS-48 radar (A23, A58, A72, A13)

KEEP OR UNDECIDED:
SPS-49 radar (A14, A22, )
J4, J5, J6
J79, J80, J81, J90

Page 30
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7300/27694537483_bbabca04d3_b.jpg
REMOVE:
C9, C10, A16,

KEEP OR UNDECIDED:
SPN-43 radar (A56, A73, A74, A75)
A85
A50 + A76
A77 + A78

2

being a hospital ship means no weapons like RAM & Seasparrow launchers, Phalanx CIWS as usns mercy & comfort do not have them. most of those radars are for weapons use so don’t need them.

USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/12/1219.htm

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/12/1220.htm

3

Well, it’s almost an easy question: none. Pretty much the hospital ships only have two navigational radars, and typically, those are COTS (commercial off the shelf) units, since they are operated by USNS crews. The only other unit would be a TACAN unit for helo operations. While a Wasp would make an interesting conversion to a T-AH, the well deck probably complicate things. Also, finding locations for the additional lifeboats would be an issue, too… There’s a reason our two present hospital ships are tanker conversions. Still, will make an interesting look, with the white hull with that green stripe.

4

I figured the model parts of the SPS-49 radar could be used cause I read somewhere that the SPS-49 has a air traffic control capability.

The parts for the SPN-43 radar might also be needed as that is also an air traffic control radar. Either the 49 or the 43 could be used I guess? I’m not sure what all the “round domes” are for, but I figured I might want to keep all those parts too. Maybe some are radars and some are for communications?

So what part #'s from the pictures/list should I keep vs. what should I not use?

5

Yes, and no. Without a plan of Wasp’s masthead, it’s going to be hard to say whih radars dome is the TACAN. TACAN unit is typically under a dome, with a cylindrical base… These are not large, about 24" diameter if memory serves. None of the air search radars are used on hospital ships. (They have some onus as being part of offensive weapons systems. The only "air traffic control’ needed is to vector helos to the landing pad. Which just needs a radio antenna (helos are still operated largely by Mk I Mod 0 Eyeball, so they do not need a lot of ATC). The navigation radars are a simple bar design about 8’ long, or a flattened dome about 3m across. I want to remember Comfort having an 8’ bar with a 6’ bar radar above that (about a deck level higher up).

6

Hi ;

the most common I see on a " Civilian " ship is Furuno Long range and surface radar only , Plus a mess of radio antennea . That’s about it . T.B.---- The Furuno is the white bar type you see on cruise ships , along with a domed radar /G.P.S. suite .