USS Monitor Plans
These USS Monitor plans are probably the best offered anywhere. The plan was CAD generated and converted to pdf. The zip file is downloaded here and contain three sheets in 1:48, 1:72 and 1:96 scale.
|
USS Monitor Plans1:48, 1:72 and 1:96 scale in a single zip file. Price: $24.95 |
|
I didn't have any USS Monitor plans when I built my first model of the famous ironclad. I think I was 14 at the time and I used a very simple illustration from a coffee table book to build from.
The result was anything but accurate, but I finished it and ran it with RC on the local lake. It was mostly made from balsa with an old candy tin for a turret.
There is no doubt that this early attempt to build a model of the USS Monitor made a permanent impression on me.
Anyways, here is a little report on how these plans came about.
I started researching online and found the plan that is available from the Naval History and Heritage Command. It shows the overall shape pretty well, but I wanted more details and the resolution isn't all that good. So off I went to the Monitor Center in Newport News, VA.
The Mariners' Museum and Monitor Center
The Monitor Center is integrated with the Mariners' Museum, even though the artifacts belong to NOAA. Convoluted, I know, but if there is one place to go to research the USS Monitor - this is the place.
Adjacent to the building is the full size replica of the USS Monitor. It's not the most detailed replica you'll ever see, but it certainly gives you an idea of the size and general appearance.
Off I went with my notebook and tape measure.
The USS Monitor Turret
The turret of the USS Monitor was recovered by NOAA in 2002. The conservation process has been going ever since. The iron has rusted, and to stop the deterioration, all salt has to be removed from the now porous and brittle material.
After having been on the bottom of the ocean for 140 years, the dents in the turret from the battle with the CSS Virginia were clearly visible. Pretty amazing.
|
Note how the gun ports have the shape of three intersecting circles. The intention was to bore the three holes and then shape the ports into the more expected oval. However, being of no practical consequence, only cosmetic, they decided to leave them unfinished to save time.
|
Since the Monitor turret is still being excavated and documented, new discoveries continue to be made about its construction.
Inside the museum there are two more turret replicas. One is showing the turret "as they found it" - it's upside-down and shows silt, barnacles and all. It's fascinating in its own right.
The other is a full scale cut-away showing the internal structure, how it was driven and suspended and also the Dahlgren guns on their carriages.
The USS Monitor Hull
|
You can walk out on the deck of the Monitor replica, and also access the hull from the ground level. This is a great opportunity to investigate the revolutionary skeg, rudder and propeller arrangement.
|
The anchor of the USS Monitor was salvaged and is on display near the entrance to the Museum. I didn't dare whip out the tape measure for this one.
|
Luckily, at the time there was a free-standing, full size replica next to the ship. Parts of another replica is mounted in the anchor well on the USS Monitor replica.
|
The USS Monitor Specifications
Length over all: 173ft
Beam: 41ft 6in
Draft: 10ft 6in
Armor thickness: 32 inches (wood + iron)
Turret armor thickness: 8in iron
Armament: Two 11-inch smooth-bore muzzle loaded Dahlgren cannons
