Calling all HMS Nelson & HMS Rodney fans

[destroyerman]

I've been doing a spot of online research.

Wikipedia (for what it's worth), makes reference to NELSON's third main turret as 'X' turret whilst explaining the turret layout identification, including specific reference to the limited arc of fire of this turret. (Look up "Gun turret - Wikipedia").

I have always referred to this turret as 'X' but I assumed that I was wrong when I heard mention of 'Q' turret.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this ill-informed stoker may accidentally have got it right!

[dbmoens]

It's all rather strange. British Battleships [Parkes] refers to the third turret as C. British Battleships 1919-1939 [Burt] refers to it a C also, but then goes on to quote a contemporary report (1927) that describes it as X. British Battleships of WW II [Raven/Roberts] also call it X in multiple places. I give pretty strong credence to X based on the direct quotation of a contemporary source (Constructor H. S. Pengelly) who I would expect to be using correct nomenclature.

[destroyerman]

dbmoens,

good response. Thanks for taking the time and effort. That sort of confirms my description of the turret.

[rtwpsom2]

Gentlemen, I have recieved a reply from John Roberts on the subject:

Third turret in Rodney and Nelson is most definitely 'X'. The 'C' I think derives from assumption. No official document I have ever seen, including the original drawings, use the designation 'C' and I would be surprised if any source using this is other than secondary.

After looking over some other ship drawings from NMM I see that a four turret ship is labeled A, B, X, and Y.

[destroyerman]

Rob,

very many thanks for that. I appreciate your (and everybody else's) involvement and help in the dilemma.

"X" it is then.

There just remains the question of when RODNEY's upper deck was painted over in camouflage paint. Pre or post 31st October 1942?

Any ideas out there??

[destroyerman]

Question:

In her 1942 camouflage scheme, did RODNEY have any MS3 colouring on the starboard side or superstructure?

She certainly did on the port side, ie; forward, midships, up the bridge superstructure, part of the funnel aft and on the aft director towers.

I have trawled the internet and scanned the gallery but have not found a conclusive view of the starboard profile.

Can anybody help please??

[USS California BB44]

These might help.

[destroyerman]

USS California BB44,

very many thanks for posting those images.

A very nice model indeed. Yours??

The camouflage scheme appears perfectly recreated and I think I can distinguish some MS3 on the starboard side.

[Phil R]

That model of HMS Rodney was built by me.For a blow-by-blow account of the build go here:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/inde ... opic=22981

Regards ,Phil

[destroyerman]

Phil,

I will reiterate, excellent work and a good example to set as a target.

I am submitting images of the RODNEY winter refit on the PICTURE POST forum if you want to look in. Have not included any this week as I have been adding the plating to the ships side and that is repetitive.

I shall certainly look in on your thread. Well done.

[Phil R]

Phil,

I will reiterate, excellent work and a good example to set as a target.

I am submitting images of the RODNEY winter refit on the PICTURE POST forum if you want to look in. Have not included any this week as I have been adding the plating to the ships side and that is repetitive.

I shall certainly look in on your thread. Well done.

Thanks for the comments re my model. I had a quick sufty at your thread on PicturePost,you have certainly got a mammoth task there!! BTW I`ve got two excellent IWM photos of the Rodney ,taken in 1943,with the same camo pattern,would they be of help to you? If so ,then PM me with your email address,and I`ll scan them and send them to you(I`m showing off now that I`ve got a scanner!!)

Cheers Phil

[destroyerman]

All done.

Cheers Phil.

[miggs]

Where is the best place to find out what is what colour on the Rodney. Just about to start a 1/700 kit of said boat and instructions a bit vague. It tells you what paint to use but not where to put the paint, ie:is the funnel grey, blue grey, dark grey for example?
A book would be good or a reference picture to work from. Any help appreciated.

Stephen.

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

Hey there!

Currently I'm working on a model of HMS Rodney in the 1940-1941 period, before her refit in Boston in June 1941. From the very scarce existing pictures I'm getting the impression that an external degaussing cable was fitted along the deck edge, similar to the KGV and the Hood.

Is there anybody that can confirm this, or am I wrong? And even better, can anybody give more details about it? Double or single cable, cable covers etcetera.

Looking at photo's of Nelson in the same period makes me even more confused: she seems to have a degaussing cable as well! But in this case it is fitted one strake of hull plates lower, so about six feet below the deck edge... Around the stern it seems to be covered.

Reference: Neil McCart's book on Nelson & Rodney (2005), pages 71 - 79.

Regards,
Maarten

[mifune]

Hey there!

Currently I'm working on a model of HMS Rodney in the 1940-1941 period, before her refit in Boston in June 1941. From the very scarce existing pictures I'm getting the impression that an external degaussing cable was fitted along the deck edge, similar to the KGV and the Hood.

Is there anybody that can confirm this, or am I wrong? And even better, can anybody give more details about it? Double or single cable, cable covers etcetera.

Looking at photo's of Nelson in the same period makes me even more confused: she seems to have a degaussing cable as well! But in this case it is fitted one strake of hull plates lower, so about six feet below the deck edge... Around the stern it seems to be covered.

Reference: Neil McCart's book on Nelson & Rodney (2005), pages 71 - 79.

Regards,
Maarten

I`m sure I have seen some photos (and Pathe video) of both of them having the cables. Nelson had hers moved inside when repaired after being torpedoed by Italians. Just wait...

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

I`m sure I have seen some photos (and Pathe video) of both of them having the cables. Nelson had hers moved inside when repaired after being torpedoed by Italians. Just wait...

Thanks Mikko!

You set me looking around for British Path� footing and presto! Yes there is a newsreel from shortly after the Bismarck chase, just before Rodney went into refit at Boston. And yes, she has the degaussing cable already fitted!

And looking again at the pictures in the AJ press monography: pages 11, 14, 16, and 17(?) all show the degaussing cable, the last is not very clear, but these are all obviously taken before the Boston refit, as the 271 radar lantern has NOT been fitted yet, which is quite a telltale (amongst some others like the separate lookout tubs still fitted to the bridge).

So I'm pretty sure now the degaussing cables in borth Rodney and Nelson were fitted somewhere in the Winter 1940/1941, well before their refit in the course of 1941. And these external cables were removed again in the second refit during Spring 1942, when the ships got their nice camouflage painting.

Thanks again!

Maarten

[davide.bach]

Hi to all! I hope to learn from you everything there is to discover on this beautiful ship. I have ordered today the model 1:700! Thank you! Davide

[Guest]

Welcome Davide!

The picture you posted was certainly when Rodney looked at her best! I however have set my objective modeling her in the configuration and colours she wore when she was tasked to pound Bismarck to defeat, May 27th 1941.

[davide.bach]

Welcome Davide!

The picture you posted was certainly when Rodney looked at her best! I however have set my objective modeling her in the configuration and colours she wore when she was tasked to pound Bismarck to defeat, May 27th 1941.

Thank you! I think I will follow the colouring on the battle, also because I have put it near the Bismarck!!!

[davide.bach]

Hi! i've found these photos on the "Hunt for the Bismark" book... Rodney the German ship fired on.....