First iteration of USS Washington (BB-56). This is the ship as it appeared right after commissioning as it began its military trials (which lasted until December of 1941). Notable is the complete lack of radar (the CXAM-1 had not yet been fitted), as well as the lack of main battery Mk.38 directors. Also interesting is the "boat farm" amidships, a practice that was quickly ended after the Solomons battles showed what a huge fire hazard a large boat complement was...
1.1" quad mounts have not yet been fitted, but their tubs are present. Whip antennae attached to the smoke pipes have had their mounts and lead-ins fitted, but no antenna has been mounted yet.
As built, the ship went to sea with a "3-4-4-3" propeller blade arrangement - three bladed propellers on the outboard shafts, and four bladed propellers inboard. This caused very problematic vibration at speeds higher than 20 knots. During this timeframe, BB-55 had been sent to sea to begin trials and get "into action" immediately. Washington was used as a testbed for propeller combinations which would eventually be fitted to both ships. By December of 1941, BB-56 was fitted with a "4-5-5-4" arrangement. This reduced vibration to a manageable level, but the two North Carolina class ships were encouraged not to travel faster than 23 knots for long periods of time. The problematic vibration led to the angular bracing characteristic of this class on the aft Mk.38 main battery director towers. Washington's bracing differed slightly from North Carolina's and this will be reflected on future drawings.
There will be several more versions of this ship to come...