Calling all HMS Nelson & HMS Rodney fans

[keith01]

Here it is on amazon. Thanks for the aircraft info.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184415 ... ss_product

[destroyerman]

...... and thank you Keith for the link.

[keith01]

Does anyone have some good D-Day images of Nelson? I need to figure out exactly what fit I should be planning on. Anyone have any pointers on what I should be looking for?

[Blackbrazen]

Gents, I have quite a specific question and I think someone here probably knows the answer. I'm building Tamiya's 1/700 Nelson using WEM's PE and I was about to fit the crane. I want to portray Nelson in action about to fire her main battery off her port side but it looks like the crane boom might get in the way. Would the crane be erect going into combat or would the cables be disconnected and the boom be lying flat along the deck? Does anyone have any photo reference of the crane? I've been searching in vain for a good close up shot.
Any help greatly appreciated!

[destroyerman]

Blackbrazen,

I would imagine that, by design, the crane would not be built in a position that would compromise the firing arc of the 16" main armament. Generally, ship designers pay attention to the primary function of the ship and don't allow 'incidentals' to get in the way. If I remember correctly, NELSON's crane was slightly outboard of the bridge superstructure and the pivot of the crane was fixed. it follows therefore, that for safety reasons, 'X' gun's limit of training (port aft) would stop short of interfering with the location of the crane cab. The fulcrum of the crane is abeam of the main gunnery Range Finder on the bridge and located centrally between the ships side and the forward superstructure. At 'Action Stations', the crane jib can be swung through 180 degrees (pointing aft) and the jib can be 'dipped' to its lowest elevation. (I have just found a plan drawing to this effect, but I am loath to publish it here in case I infringe copyright). Conversely, RODNEY's crane was tucked-in closer to the bridge superstructure thereby allowing for maximum arc of fire.

I have to say that this opinion comes from a Chief Stoker (1957-82) and not from a gunnery angle, so it is in no way conclusive.

[Blackbrazen]

Thanks very much destroyerman!
I was leaning towards having the crane in that position as I managed to find one blurry shot that seemed to show the crane trained aft. It sounds like a logical idea; I can't imagine the crew having to disassemble the crane and then reassemble it as soon as combat had ended. I'll try to post photos of my finished work for feedback...
Thanks again!

[destroyerman]

Thanks very much destroyerman!
It sounds like a logical idea; I can't imagine the crew having to disassemble the crane and then reassemble it as soon as combat had ended.

The Royal Navy being what it is, relied on the enemy to disassemble the crane before returning the fire that had so conveniently moved the crane from its obstructive position in the first place!!

Hope to have been of help and yes, do keep us informed of your progress.

[keith01]

If I recall correctly, the guns were not allowed to fire abaft the beam, therefore they would not have been allowed to interfere with the cranes. Most especially turret "X" which was the main offender in disrupting the bridge staff.

[Blackbrazen]

Thanks keith01, I'm going to place the crane with the boom lowered and facing aft, so there should be no problem of interference. I have posted a few in progress shots over on the picture post section:
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=50774
All comments very gratefully received!

[dbmoens]

Has anyone seen the book by McCart "Nelson & Rodney 1927-49 The Big Battleships". It seems to have been out for a while but I haven't seen any notable reviews of it (only one on Amazon UK - they didn't like it). I have Ravens/Roberts and "Battleships: Allied Battleships of WWII". Are there any other notable references beside R A Burt (hunting...) that I should be seeking?

[keith01]

Raven and Roberts also have the third book in the "Man O' War" series which focus on the Nelson class. A new book out by Iain Ballyntine titled "HMS Rodney" focus on all the ships named Rodney but especially on the battleship and has a few really good pictures.

[Blackbrazen]

Guys, can anyone help me with a couple of questions: In her late war configuration (1945 camo scheme), was Nelson's boat deck a wooden or steel deck? I've seen both in various people's models and I'm not sure which is correct. Also, were the steel decks generally dark gray anti-slip similar to the way they are on modern RN ships? I'd really appreciate any help on these...

[keith01]

With the exception of the 1st level decks around the funnel and 4.7" guns, Nelson and Rodney only had wood decks. Initally they were fir but in the late 30's they were replaced with teak. Some time in 42 or 43 they started painting the decks. I am not really up on when though.

BTW I just purchased some really nice photos of Nelson and Rodney from IWM. They would probably be really mad if I shared them with anyone who PM'd me to ask me to share, so I won't tell them you asked.

[Blackbrazen]

Gents,
Am I right in thinking that Nelson had Type 257 radar on her main mast? Does anyone know of a good picture of this radar array? I only have very blurry shots from a great distance...

[keith01]

It was a type 79 early on then later, but still pre-war, it was modified to a type 279. Nelson also has one of these on her foremast (which was made of 12" square metal tubing). Can't remember the website I got these from but here:

[ar]

It was a type 79 early on then later, but still pre-war, it was modified to a type 279. Nelson also has one of these on her foremast (which was made of 12" square metal tubing). Can't remember the website I got these from but here:

radar279_04.jpg

radar279_01.jpg

You have mixed up the drawings by showing type 281 along with type 279.

[keith01]

Which one is the Type 281? I'll correct it.

[Blackbrazen]

Thanks guys! Can you also tell me what the large drum-like object is on the starfish? Is that another radar?

[keith01]

I found the website I found the images on, it is EJ Foeth's On the Slipway blog: http://blog.ontheslipway.com/?p=958. In the second picture the right hand image is the Type 281, so you can ignore it in this case.

The drum on the starfish is the perspex "lantern" of a type 283 radar. Here is an image of it's smaller brother, the type 271 radar:

[destroyerman]

Which is the forerunner of the modern day microwave oven, so I'm informed.