I need some information on the length of the AK-156 (C1-M-AV1 hull) Alamosa class cargo ship. I see conflicting information information on the internet - some sites say 338', and some say 388'. I'm hoping that I can substantiate that it is 388', which would allow me to make a kit with an insert to make either the Alamosa class or the shorter AF-30 (R1-M-AV3) Adria class stores ship. Here's what I have found: AK-156 Alamosa class information from navsource.org (normally my best source): 388' AK-156 Alamosa class information from Wikipedia: 338' AK-156 camo scheme drawing from national archives: 338' C1-M-AV1 hull stats from Maritime Commission website: 338' So if you have a book that discusses these hulls or perhaps a book of commercial ship registries with the hull length, I would appreciate the information. Also, if you know of any other cargo ship with a 388' LOA and 50' beam that would be helpful too. Thanks
Wikipedia for the 'C1 class ship' lists the C1-M-AV1 hull as 338'. Hyperwar (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-mc.html) also has the length as 338'. The official US Coast Guard web page on the Coast Guard Cutter Courier (www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Courier1952.asp), originally built in 1945 as the Coastal Messenger, has the length as 338'. Another Coast Guard cutter also began life as a 338' long C1-M-AV1 hull (www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Kukui_WAK186_1946.pdf). The Loose Cannon Productions data on their USS Alamosa 1/700 scale resin kit (http://www.modelwarships.com/review...p/c-1.html) also has 338' for the length. Ironically, Navsource reports some C1-M-AV1 ships as 338' in length. For example, the USAT Col. William J. O'Brien, is quoted at 338' (http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/130246.htm), and there is an APC listed by Navsource as having a length of 338' (www.navsource.org/archives/09/23/23116.htm). Finally, the encyclopedia Opentopia lists the C1-M-AV1 as 338' long (encycl.opentopia.com/term/Type_C1_ship#C1-M_Type). I'm convinced the 388' was a typo on Navsource for some of the C1-M-AV1 hulls (namely the AK ships based on this hull), and the real length is 338'.
Thank you for all the research. I had located a hard copy of Jane's Fighting Ships 1953-1954 and it also had all the still active C1-M-AV1 ships as 338'. So it looks like 388 is out and I need to drop a note to Navsource I'm disappointed since the C1-M-AV1 at 338 is very similar in size and layout to the Golo, so not that interesting to do. Now I'm considering the C1-A/C1-B ships. The width of the two is the same and the LOA is about 4' different, so one kit would cover both. Among the possible variations of those is a hospital ship which I think would be fun. These hulls are about 1/4" wider and 5" shorter than a Liberty ship and also don't have the forecastle and poop decks, for something different.
Glad I could help. Sorry that meant the C1-M-AV1 was uninteresting, but that's the way it goes. A hospital ship does sound like fun, though. Keep us informed.
