Calling all HMS Nelson & HMS Rodney fans

[Blackbrazen]

Wow, that's a nice clear picture. Even though it's not the exact one on Nelson, I can see how that one should look based on this one. Thanks!

[ar]

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:

The drum on the starfish is for the type 273.
The photo shows type 272 radar.
Type 283 was a barrage director using yagi aerials that were uncovered.

[keith01]

He's right, 273, I can't read.

Someone needs to tell the guy who runs this page he's got the thype 272 image on his type 271 page.

[destroyerman]

Keith,

it's all down to 'anoraks' of Naval fittings. I must admit that I thought that the radar in question was the type 271.

But, conversely, I could immediately tell you the difference between a full size and a half-size Admiralty Furnace Fuel Oil sprayer and atomiser. I could also discern between an Admiralty 3 drum Boiler and a Y100 boiler. I can also spot the difference between a Parsons triple expansion steam engine and a gas turbine. Having spent 25 years down below on ten different war canoes it was my job to know the difference. And I certainly would not look down on those who may have had a brave stab at identifying the aforementioned.
But ask me to differentiate between the myriad of upper deck fittings and weaponry, I would struggle.
I recently asked an Ordinance tiffy and a co-designer of Sea Wolf what was the difference between a 4.5" and a 4.7" naval gun. (As far as I know, they are both the same weapons). But the glib reply that I got from both persons was "point two of an inch". Highly enlightening but non-productive.
Stick to your helpful advice my friend, you are at least offering some response to those who ask, and not just hovering in the background being critical.

[Blackbrazen]

Hear hear. I couldn't agree more. Thanks for your input keith01!

[keith01]

Your welcome guys, I do what I can.

For those who aren't in the know, AR is Alan Raven, the fine gent who wrote my favorite Nelson book, Man O War 3. I think he might be a little exasperated at me for not reading it right though. Thanks for the assistance Alan.

[keith01]

Does anyone know what these banners on the aft DCT mount say and why? And are they still there in 1944?





The one on Nelson appears to say "Dardanelles, ???", while Rodney's obviously says "Sebastien" or something of a similar latin root.

What about the large "NELSON" and "RODNEY" that were similar to the one on the stern, but mounted on the side of the aft shelterdeck? Was it still there in 44 also?

[Tim Stoneman]

Keith01 asked about the wording on the after superstructure. This appears to be part of the Battle Honours awarded to the names of the ships concerned, ie DARDANELLES 1915 and SEBASTOPOL 1854. RN ships are entitled to Battle Honours awarded to ships of the same name. In fact in this case, according to the rules, both are wrong! The "Dardanelles 1915" honour was awarded to HMS LORD NELSON, not NELSON (although quite often ships would claim the honours for ships with related names, eg HMS SOVEREIGN wears the honours for ROYAL SOVEREIGN as well as her own) and, although a ship called RODNEY took part in the bombardment of Sebastopol, the honour "Crimea 1854" was awarded for the whole campaign, not the individual action. Such honours would usually be on wooden boards which would often be removed when at sea; the same applied to the nameboards on the superstructure aft. The ones on the hull near the stern were welded onto the plating, and, in wartime, would be painted over with the camouflage colour of the adjacent plating, although still visible from close range.
Tim

[keith01]

Thanks, Tim, that answer hit the nail on the head!

[keith01]

Does anyone have a scan of this actual picture? As in not out of a book?



I also am in need of some images of the area inboard of Nelson's 6" turrets. I am looking for fittings on the main deck and the walls of the shelter deck from near the three 20mm Oerlikon ahead of the turrets to back near where the splinter shield for the aft 4.7" guns starts. I have plenty of far off shots, but if anyone has anything closer, I would appreciate seeing it.

[keith01]

After some intense study, I have found that the crane on Nelson is almost the exact same model as the one fitted on Hood's stern in 31/32. The only major difference is the cab that was added to Nelson's. The boom laid nearly flat against the deck and the gun tubes on "X" turret would have traversed right over it. The cab was far enough outboard and aft that the gun barrels would not have reached it, and the only interference would have been from the lifting cables. I have a feeling these were slackened and tied down to avoid that. For some good drawings of the crane model, look on the last two pages of the Hood AOTS then just add a rudimentary cab.

[Blackbrazen]

Very interesting Keith! On my 1/700 Nelson, I have gone for the crane facing aft but it's interesting to know that this wasn't the only option available to the crew...or modelers!

[keith01]

Right after Nelson got her crane, they removed all of Nelson's boat davit's except the one immediately aft of the crane. They also added a boat cradle there, so I doubt it was ever stowed aft. But I doubt anyone outside this thread will ever know the difference.

[Blackbrazen]

Right! I'm counting on it!

[Eric Bergerud]

Doing Tamiya's waterline Rodney - first ship since I started modeling after a forty year lay-off. I want her as she looked after shooting-up Vader's flagship in May 1941. Been able to track down a number of photos of completed models - some from museums. (Including a lovely Tamiya Rodney here by Richard Price.) Also looked at a blizzard of photos, some claiming to be 1941, although it's hard to be sure. And they're of limited value for my problem. I'm stuck on two things. First, would Rodney's mast have been entirely gray or had the upper portion painted black. Second, were the main turrets entirely gray or were they bluish gray on top.

Any help appreciated.
Eric Bergerud

[MartinJQuinn]

Nelson from a period postcard:

[destroyerman]

keith01,

just to confirm your information on the positioning of NELSON's crane.

From my archive of RN Warships, I have unearthed this image of her crane. Although it is entitled 'RODNEY arial', it is definitely NELSON, as only her crane was located outboard from the bridge superstructure. It also clearly shows the boat positioned immediately aft of the crane as Keith so correctly describes.

Good news for those modelling NELSON.

[Skiper]

Hello folks,

I am looking for some help in deciding which colors are suitable for my HMS Rodney as she appeared in 1944. I am interested in WEM color codes, first because I really like the quility of their colors and second cause they are easily available to a shop nearby. Thanks a lot

[destroyerman]

Prior to the forthcoming major refit of my 1:72 scale HMS RODNEY, I need some confirmation regarding her deck painting (or lack of it).
I have decided to repaint her in her 1942 camouflage scheme (image attached) and have set my birth date, 31st October 1942 as the exact timescale. I feel reasonably sure that her upper deck wasn't painted over until 1943 so I feel that deck planking would be in order. However, I'm sure that Keith or Alan would put me right on that subject.
Regarding most other aspects, my recently acquired copy of "Man o'war3 Battleships Rodney and Nelson" will keep me on an accurate course during the refit. As can be seen from the image, "B" turret could do with a mild dose of a certain blue tablet.
The third main turret (with catapult) is sometimes referred to as "Q" turret. Can somebody explain the logic behind that. As a destroyerman, my recollection of identification is, for example, "A", "B", "X" and "Y" from forward to aft. To my limited powers of reasoning RODNEY's should therefore be "A", "B" and either "C" or "Y" for the main armament. But being a mere stoker may atone for my ignorance
I hope to provide a photographic record of the refit elsewhere on the forum as and when it takes place.
Many thanks in anticipation.

[Blackbrazen]

Lovely job on that paintwork. It's great to see it on the water! Yes, I'd also like to know the theory behind the Q turret. Is it something to do with older ships that had one turret amidships? But if they were in the middle of the ship, why were they called Q and not M?