Calling all Royal Navy E-class fans

[phil gollin]

Norwegian link with picture of 0.5" quads

http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2008/03/05/528891.html

[dick]

With thanks to the IWM, here is that first picture of HMS Express in 1941 in an overall grey

[phil gollin]

For those who "might" want to know a little bit more about RN deck coverings, I would draw your attention to :-

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=34467

[mike mccabe]

About half way through my build of this kit, as HMS Echo in prewar guise. It's a good kit, fits extremely well, some detail needed but nothing I wouldn't have done anyway. Only slight complaint would be the overdone hull plating lines or whatever they are meant to be, and the lines on the deck where the corticene walkways are marked out too heavily. Overall though very happy with it and it is so far producing a very nice looking model.

Anybody else got one on the go?

Mike

[Filipe Ramires]

Curious...I'm planning to build HMS Echo as well but during the war with a camo scheme she had in 1942.

[mike mccabe]

Well, just to base it on a photo I have, also it's a nice name, and the name of the newspaper in Liverpool!

Mike

[Quincy]

Mike, will you be posting any pictures of your build. I'd love to see them.



Bob Pink.

[mike mccabe]

Bob
Progress so far, I used the White Ensign set as I think you are, other than that pretty much a combination of the kit and the etch. I took off the plating runs on the hull as I felt they were too heavy and did obvious things like removing the aztec steps. Some detailing of the superstructures and a little more to come, masts redone from brass, the small parts aren't added yet obviously. Added some support stanchions and in the process of doing the railings.





Mike

[Quincy]

Hi Mike: She looks top notch so far!
I like how the deck looks alot. It really stands out with the three different colors applied.


Bob Pink.

[mike mccabe]

Thanks Bob, I just noticed a bit of railing that was loose so have fixed it now! Yes, I think it helps to break up these all grey ships by adding just a little colour where possible, it's a fun build so far.

Mike

[Quincy]

I meant to ask this but I forgot, would Electra and Encounter have this same color deck pattern when they were both lost i 1942?


Bob Pink.

[Filipe Ramires]

Encounter I am not entirely sure but Electra I believe she had a camo scheme at the time of her loss. At least one photo of her (1941 me thinks) shows her with a camo pattern.

http://www.hmshood.com/crew/remember/h27_electra2.jpg

EDIT: Ok, sorry Bob...re-reading your post I saw that you were asking for the deck colours and not the overall painting scheme. This is what happens when it's 09:30 in the morning and you didn't have a decent coffee yet!!!

[mike mccabe]

This is what happens when it's 09:30 in the morning and you didn't have a decent coffee yet!!!

Well you would have a long wait in Wales then my friend!

Mike

[Quincy]

Thats okay Filipe, I can't function without a good cup of coffee in the morning myself.
In the latest Model Art 28 there is a model of Electra painted in a camo pattern but its in black and white.
She looks to be wearing a 507c main color on all vertical surfaces with a wavy 507a, it might even be a dark blue color? If this is correct I have no idea. It doesn't even look like the photo you posted of Electra on the previous page.
Its a mystery. I'd like to know if he had evidence of this or was just using artistic license of the camo pattern. I wish I could read Japanese.




Bob Pink.

[dick]

I have found a better example of the picture of Express being refuelled by the Prince of Wales which, taken together with the IWM photograph of Express in 1941 which I posted earlier, I believe confirms that Express was painted in an overall medium grey colour when she re-entered service in 1941 and during her time with Force Z in late 1941(and quite probably for sometime afterwards ie until her refit at Simonstown in beginning April 1942). If she was wearing the WA scheme in this photo the whaler, the bridge,the quad 0.5 platform and the carley raft in the foreground would all be RN white judging by photos of Express in the WA scheme posted earlier on this thread. Note also the contrast of the grey of the ship with the white clothing of the crewmen on the quad 0.5 platform. (Click on the picture for a better view.)

[ar]

There are very clear photos taken of the Express that show her to be in Western Approaches light blue, light green and white camouflage, from around mid 1941 to at least mid 1942. With NO change in the pattern or colours.

I have found a better example of the picture of Express being refuelled by the Prince of Wales which, taken together with the IWM photograph of Express in 1941 which I posted earlier, I believe confirms that Express was painted in an overall medium grey colour when she re-entered service in 1941 and during her time with Force Z in late 1941(and quite probably for sometime afterwards ie until her refit at Simonstown in beginning April 1942). If she was wearing the WA scheme in this photo the whaler, the bridge,the quad 0.5 platform and the carley raft in the foreground would all be RN white judging by photos of Express in the WA scheme posted earlier on this thread. Note also the contrast of the grey of the ship with the white clothing of the crewmen on the quad 0.5 platform. (Click on the picture for a better view.)

Image1a.jpg

[dick]

Mid 1941 - Express was still under repair at Chatham dockyard (she emerged in September).

Then you have the IWM photo of her clearly in an overall grey almost certainly taken off the dockyard immediately after this rebuild in say Autumn 1941? (The actual, photograph has "1941" on the reverse.)

And then the picture alongside POW - probably taken November 1941 given accounts of the deployment which mention refuelling at sea.

I think the ball is in your court to prove your assertion by posting your photos with some evidence of the date you assign to them.

[ar]

I love a challange.
So now I have the ball eh.
Shall I try for a touchdown, shall I punt, or should I dribble and then let loose a thunderbolt and hit the back of the net? I think that I shall play with this ball.
Hold yourself in readiness.

Mid 1941 - Express was still under repair at Chatham dockyard (she emerged in September).

Then you have the IWM photo of her clearly in an overall grey almost certainly taken off the dockyard immediately after this rebuild in say Autumn 1941? (The actual, photograph has "1941" on the reverse.)

And then the picture alongside POW - probably taken November 1941 given accounts of the deployment which mention refuelling at sea.

I think the ball is in your court to prove your assertion by posting your photos with some evidence of the date you assign to them.

[Filipe Ramires]

I love a challange.
So now I have the ball eh.
Shall I try for a touchdown, shall I punt, or should I dribble and then let loose a thunderbolt and hit the back of the net? I think that I shall play with this ball.
Hold yourself in readiness.

Greetings AR and all,

Sorry for going a bit off-topic about the E-class first of all.
Since you are apparently so given regarding posting a photo and taking a challenge why not go ahead and post something more "visual" regarding the single 20mm AA gun position on the quarterdeck of the heavy cruiser HMS York??? Here's the link of the topic:

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=10618&start=135

I have finished the model and she is currently in exposition in the Navy Museum at Lisbon until November though I wouldn't mind to change the feature of the AA on the quarterdeck if provided with proper proof as well.
Best regards,

Filipe

[ar]

There is a well known photo from the Australian archives. Exact date unknown, but was almost certainly taken in the latter half of 1941 or early 1942 because of the configeration. and... IN WESTERN APPROACHES camouflage, which would have been applied in Home waters before leaving for the Far East.
Photos taken after her 1942 refit (different configeration) show the SAME camouflage.
The photo that you have posted is far too poor to form a judgement from. ie, look at the camouflage of the Prince of Wales and compare with other photos of the same time frame. You will then see what i mean.
There is NO way that a ship would be actually repainted into Western Approaches camouflage except while in Home waters.
This ship left in Western Approaches camouflage for the Far East, stayed that way while there and returned in the same paint scheme.
However if a clear photo can be produced that shows otherwise I will concede.

Cruiser York.
The photos that I have showing the 20mm on the quarterdeck are privately held and i cannot make or send copies to anyone.
Even if i was allowed to do so, I do not have the ability to scan and post photos. Sorry.

I love a challange.
So now I have the ball eh.
Shall I try for a touchdown, shall I punt, or should I dribble and then let loose a thunderbolt and hit the back of the net? I think that I shall play with this ball.
Hold yourself in readiness.

Mid 1941 - Express was still under repair at Chatham dockyard (she emerged in September).

Then you have the IWM photo of her clearly in an overall grey almost certainly taken off the dockyard immediately after this rebuild in say Autumn 1941? (The actual, photograph has "1941" on the reverse.)

And then the picture alongside POW - probably taken November 1941 given accounts of the deployment which mention refuelling at sea.

I think the ball is in your court to prove your assertion by posting your photos with some evidence of the date you assign to them.