For those of you that keep track of the PV Petel postings on Facebook they just recently posted photos they took from the wreck of the Northampton (as noted on the General Forum page). To go along with their posting they shared an album of 107 photos from anther Facebook page, World War II Radio, taken on board the Northampton sometime in the first half or so of 1942, no exact date given. The series of photos is from Life Magazine and are very much like the ones posted that were on the Portland in late 1941 or very early 1942. I have never seen these.
The photos show Northampton after the forward funnel extension was removed, 20 mm guns on the stern and foremast platform added, and what I think is one of the two 20 mm guns on the 03 level of the forward superstructure in place. However, the two Mk 19 gun directors do not have fire control radar in the photos. The most interesting photo of the group to me is one taken from the bow looking back at the bridge superstructure. This photo will cause model builders wishing to build Northampton during 1942 to rethink what was thought to be know about the forward superstructure based on the limited number of photos of the ship.
This is my first time trying to post photos so I hope they come through.
https://imgur.com/a/UJKsk7BList of photos: 1. Bridge from bow area, 2. Bridge looking forward from forward funnel, 3. 03 bridge wing from above. The officer with his hands behind his back is walking forward on the bridge wing., 4. Back of bridge viewed from hanger., 5. Aft end of 03 bridge wing., 6. foremast platform looking forward., 7 comparison view of bridge 1930s.
It appears from this photo that the 02 level bridge wings have ben cut off flush with the 03 level above to better clear the 1.1" gun position on the 01 level below. It also appears that the wind baffle splinter shield on the wing of the 03 level has been removed to the outside edge and a smooth, higher splinter shield added. One of the photos shows this position on the 03 level from just above with a 20 mm on a raised platform behind the splinter shield. Also note the tubs on the 04 level on either side of the base of the MK 19 director (could these be for the 1.1" AA directors?) and the heavy metal strips coming down the face of the bridge from underneath the director support. A couple of photos taken from the well deck looking forward along the edge of the 02 and 03 levels seem to show straight unbroken lines with no tubs extending outboard and splinter shields on the outside back edge of the 03 level above the flag containers on the 02 level.
More photos are of the inside of the platform above the bridge on the foremast. These photos show the 20 mm guns (2) that were there. These photos and the one of the full bridge from forward also show that the extension out from the front of this platform was not the full depth of the platform. The photo of the bridge shows this clearly and one of the photos from the inside shows the step up from the platform floor. A range finder set in the position.
If any of you are able to look at the photos I would welcome your thoughts on what they show. Something new always seems to pop up when you think we know all we are going to know about a ship.