I'm converting a cheap model of the BB-62 USS New Jersey, Iowa-class Battleship in to its sister ship the BB-64 USS Wisconsin. For this I have a few questions:

1. On the bow of the ship, at and below the waterline, there are markings. What are they and what do the mean??

2. All around the edge of the deck is a fence-like barrier. How thick are the poles and the wires??

3. On the foredeck of the ship a special antenna is placed. How thick is the wire that is used there??

TIA

Hey Hunter:
Congrats on your conversion. On the bow I don't really know what the markings are unless the kit comes with verticle numbers which would tell how much draft the boat was taking, but I don't ever remember seeing those kind of numbers on a BB. Only thing I know that is on a BB is the designation number.
The safety nets in in 1/600 I can't help ya with sorry. I bulit a 1/350 New Jersey (Tamiyas) and the nets were molded almost antenna(sp) thin so that would be a chore.
The antenna on the fore deckyou may have to strectch spru because I have seen 1/700 scales of the Wisconsion built and 1 or 2 lb monofilament (fishing line) was used for those and even then it looked rather beefy.
I know it isn't much to go on but I hope it helps. There are pictures of the 1/350 New Jersey I posted in the link below fi you want to look at her to get an Idea. The pictures aren't that good and I plan on reposting better ones soon. If there is a specific area of her you want to see just let me know and I will try to get a good shot of it.
Good luck and hope this helps

Tia, I'm pretty sure the marks you're talking about are the indication of how much draft the ship is making. There should be two sets of them, at both bow and stern. All they are a line of numbers running vertically above and below the black boot topping on the hull.

Since I don't know anything about 'modern' ships I can't help you on the other questions.

For the railing, you will need to get a 1/600 photo-etch set from either White Ensign Models or Gold Medal Models. There is no way I would attempt to scratch build railing in that smaill of a scale.

Thanks all for the help!!

Warlock: I'm doing the recommisioned BB-64, about 1991 or 1992. On http://www.usswisconsin.org there are pics of the draft numbers on the "new" BB-64 there. The pics did help!! Looks great!

Nimitfan: I'm doing this for the campaign and no aftermarket are allowed, so I guess it will be without

Thanks again for your help!!