Welcome to AAPK's Veteran’s Forum. This is a place where veterans can meet, get to know one another better, perhaps swap a story or two, and share any recent information that they have acquired from the Veterans Administration, DoD and Veterans Service Organizations, including but not limited to, DAV, AMVETS, VFW, American Legion, PVA, and MOPH. Another good source of information are branch specific organizations.
We will have a voluntary CHECKING IN topic where you can introduce yourself, years serve and branch or branches of service. Welcome Aboard!
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dlr110
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by dlr110 » Thu May 19, 2022 2:51 pm
If you were in the Navy on a ship, sub, or air squadron and like to keep up with command reunions check this link for the 2022 & 2023 scheduled reunions.
https://www.hullnumber.com/reunions_all.php
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beresman
- Silver Tier

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by beresman » Thu May 19, 2022 3:20 pm
I was not in the navy, but my dad was, on BB46 (USS Maryland) through WW2. I remember him going to a number of reunions until there weren't enough crew members left to hold them anymore.
When I was a kid, I used to build those plastic model kits. I wasn't interested in cars, but mostly naval ships. Dad was annoyed that you could get a model for every class of battleship except the Maryland, so he got the plans for the ship from the USN, and built his own in HO scale from scrap brass and basswood. Took him 15+ years to do it, making everything by hand. That model now sits in the visitor center of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
I do not have his patience for that kind of thing; rebuilding a knife is enough for me. But I like to brag on him when I can.
Brent
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dlr110
- Gold Tier

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by dlr110 » Thu May 19, 2022 3:59 pm
beresman wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 3:20 pm
I was not in the navy, but my dad was, on BB46 (USS Maryland) through WW2.
Brent you should and I know you are very proud of your dad. I've never seen the model, but I bet it's
very good to be on display at the academy.

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doglegg
- Gold Tier

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- Location: Grand Prairie, Texas
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by doglegg » Thu May 19, 2022 7:34 pm
beresman wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 3:20 pm
I was not in the navy, but my dad was, on BB46 (USS Maryland) through WW2. I remember him going to a number of reunions until there weren't enough crew members left to hold them anymore.
When I was a kid, I used to build those plastic model kits. I wasn't interested in cars, but mostly naval ships. Dad was annoyed that you could get a model for every class of battleship except the Maryland, so he got the plans for the ship from the USN, and built his own in HO scale from scrap brass and basswood. Took him 15+ years to do it, making everything by hand. That model now sits in the visitor center of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
I do not have his patience for that kind of thing; rebuilding a knife is enough for me. But I like to brag on him when I can.
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deo-pa
- Silver Tier

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by deo-pa » Thu May 19, 2022 7:45 pm
… so he got the plans for the ship from the USN, and built his own in HO scale from scrap brass and basswood.
HO scale is 1:87 and the Maryland was 624 feet long, making the model about 7 feet… now that is a serious model! Beresman do you have a photo you can post?
Dennis
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zzyzzogeton
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by zzyzzogeton » Thu May 19, 2022 10:53 pm
Here's a picture of the model in the Annapolis Visitor's Center.

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beresman
- Silver Tier

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by beresman » Thu May 19, 2022 11:47 pm
I apologize; I mis-spoke. He originally talked about making it HO scale, but ended up making it 1:120, a much more manageable 5 feet or so.
I thought I had digital photos, but I can't find them. Here are scans of a few of the photos he took, plus an article (I have a scrap book filled with various stuff related to this model).
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Brent
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Samb
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by Samb » Fri May 20, 2022 12:17 am
Awesome!
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ea42
- Silver Tier

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by ea42 » Fri May 20, 2022 2:38 pm
Brent that's incredible, the detail is just mind blowing. That's a testament to some amazing dedication right there.
Eric
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Dan In MI
- Silver Tier

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by Dan In MI » Fri May 20, 2022 4:08 pm
That model is absolutely amazing.

Suffice it to say that I completely lack the skill needed to come up with such a thing!
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steve99f
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by steve99f » Sun May 29, 2022 3:29 pm
That ship model is amazin'! Well Done!

steve99f
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KLJ77
- Gold Tier

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- Location: Virginia ~ Tidewater Area
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by KLJ77 » Sun Jun 05, 2022 1:58 pm
Brent,
As a Navy Vet, I was intrigued by your story of your father building a model of the USS Maryland. I did a search regarding Annapolis and could not, for the life of me, find a photo of it at their website. One would think their website would have a photo of this wonderful model. Maybe I just wasn't looking in the right place.
With that said...I am in awe of what your father built. It is absolutely amazing. He must have had the patience of Job. I can't even imagine the pride you must hold in your heart for him. Thank you so much for sharing this story and the detailed photos.

LJ
"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are now outnumbered by those that vote for a living."
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Quick Steel
- Bronze Tier

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by Quick Steel » Sun Jun 05, 2022 3:06 pm
I almost missed this story and model. What a magnificent effort.