Done some research on her gunnery. Naval sites, history sites, USS Mattaponi Association veterans, etc. Found out that there is a lot of conflicting info (as usual). The naval sites mostly say - 1 5"/38 open mount, 4 single 3"/50's, and 4 twin 40's. In checking around, most every ship of the class had different gunnery. Everything from 1 to 4 - 5"/38, 4 - 3"/50, 4 to 8 twin and or single 40mm, and 4 to 8 20mm shielded.
Maybe the naval sites were right when it was commissioned in 1942. I have to believe that this changed later as she was re-commissioned in 1950, 1956 and 1962, but can find no records of armament changes. In 1961 re-commissioning readiness, she was fitted with a wood cargo deck above the main deck where the catwalks were. My buddy served on her before and after the refit. I'm doing her with the catwalks. I'm going to check with him on the gunnery and see what he remembers and probably go with that.
I have found 5"/38 open mounts, twin 40's and single shielded 20's on one site in 1/500 scale.
3"/50's, 40mm singles (elevated and non elevated), 20mm shielded MK 4's at another, but only down to 1/350 scale so I have to find out if they can be made in 1/500.
All this stuff and a bunch more made 3-d printed. Really nice stuff there.
Once I talk to my buddy, I'll check with shapeways to see about the scale, and order the other stuff from the other place and post my decision here. This stuff is really great. I'm glad Rhino prompted me to look into this
, especially as I have a few other box scale kits in the stash to build as well and will want to get aftermarket stuff for them too.
PS - One of the Mattaponi Association members I contacted sent me a bunch of photo's that were taken by crewmen, some really nice pics that are not on the "official" sites. I've saved all of them. He wants me to send him a photo of the completed build.
EJ