The Ship Model Forum

Agreed. Thanks Graham, that's good stuff.

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James Duff
Sovereign Hobbies Ltd
http://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk

Current build:
HMS Imperial D09 1/350
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=167151

Hi all,

I have been quiet for a while on the topic of the Exeter, as in the meantime also the Trumpeter Cornwall has appeared onto my desk. One item of the Cornwall made me thinking about the Exeter: the 8" turrets.

We know the Exeter and York basically had the same Mk II turrets as the Norfolk and the Dorsetshire. The other Counties, the Kent and London classes, had the Mk I turret and so has the Cornwall kit.

Well, the Cornwall turrets are clearly broader in plan view than the Exeter turrets, while the barbettes have the same diameter. So the conclusion is inevitable: the Exeter turrets are too narrow! Not much, but enough to be visible, about 1mm at the widest point, over the barbette. But the front and rear faces seem to be exactly right, so the turrets are too slender and too straight in top view.

Well, I attempted to improve one of the Exeter turrets with strips of .020" thickness, and filing/sanding away towards front and rear. I think it works! I had to snap off the rangefinder hoods though, and cemented these on again afterwards.

Look for yourself: L to R the old Exeter turret, the improved one and the Cornwall turret. Note the Mk II turrets are also longer than the Mk I, about 2ft I estimate.

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"There are more planes in the ocean, than submarines in the sky" - old carrier sailor

A long shot ,but has anyone any photos of HMS York in "China Station " colours? I`ve search the web and my own sources ,but haven`t turned anything up .
Thanks in advance

Regards Phil

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" If your going though Hell ,keep going!" Winston Churchill

Phil, by `China Stn` colours you would be referring to white hull with 507B upperworks and funnels.
She never served within the China Stn, she was part of the 8th cruiser sqd on the America/WestIndies Stn, late 30`s.
I expect you cannot find any images of her in those colours because there are none, to my knowledge.
All the best

Hi Phil,

Are you certain she ever served on 'China Station'? In Wikipedia (admitted: not the most trustworthy of references) only this part refers to her stationing overseas:

She served with the 8th Cruiser Squadron on the North America and West Indies Station, and was detached to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1935 and 1936 for the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, before returning to the American Station until the outbreak of war in September 1939.

So not in East but in West. And in the Mediterranean. In both cases her colours would have been Light Grey AP507C, and I found plenty of photos supporting that.

Morover, after 1936 the typical 'China Station' colours (on several of the County class) of white hull and grey superstructures were also replaced by Light Grey, so even if she had been stationed there it would have made little difference for her looks.

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"There are more planes in the ocean, than submarines in the sky" - old carrier sailor

Thanks to Brett & Maarten.I had a feeling that she had not serve "Out East" ,so it`s Camo colour scheme for me .It should go nicely with the Type 42 York I built some years ago.

Thanks again fellas

Regards Phil

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" If your going though Hell ,keep going!" Winston Churchill

Work is progressing on my York build.It`s a really good kit .

Regards Phil

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" If your going though Hell ,keep going!" Winston Churchill

Nice to see your progress Phil!

Did Trumpeter correct any of the flaws in the Exeter kit, like the missing wood planking of the shelterdeck around the bridge, or the 8" turrets being too narrow and lacking detail?

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"There are more planes in the ocean, than submarines in the sky" - old carrier sailor

Thanks Maarten, The planking on "B" gun deck has not been added,so,I tried to simulate that myself .As regards the 8" turrets I haven`t looked that far ,yet. I judge a kit on how much enjoyment I get out of building ,this one is giving me loads of satisfaction.However Trumpy have omitted the two sirens on the forward funnel,so I made my own.

Regards Phil

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" If your going though Hell ,keep going!" Winston Churchill

Yes, I noticed them, they look very good to me! I was also wondering whether Trumpy had included them this time. I can imagine these are too difficult to be made in plastic or even photo-etch.

I have started adding these on my Exeter too, and on my Suffolk model as well: same general idea, but different execution.

And I must admit that Trumpy's Cornwall kit is giving me even more pleasure than their Exeter: the basic kit is very good, but of course I found some 'room for improvement'. And that is even adding to the pleasure!

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"There are more planes in the ocean, than submarines in the sky" - old carrier sailor

I find myself drawn to adding detail to the top level of the forward superstructure but frustrated by a lack of clear photos and plans. In particular, the structure immediately forward of the director control tower is incredibly simplified and mystifying. The best information I've found are two aerial shots by the US Navy in the mid and late 30's:



The Trumpeter 1/350th kit represents this as a closed top forward and it's fairly evident that it is not. The awning layout in the 1934 photo suggests it might be some form of air defense lookout station, and the openings to the side at the rear suggest a ladder or opening in the bulkhead for entry/exit. A cut out or doorway? It would appear there is a flare at the top of the bulkhead based on the shadow. The 1939 overhead appears to show two seats or apparatus that I don't see in the 1934 photos. Could these be something similar to the USN's Sky Lookout Chairs or perhaps a torpedo director (source of a known type?

York's superstructure is completely different and is of no help. I have tried going through other ships to see if there is a similar design that might help but haven't had any luck due to the number of ships and dearth of close-in photos (I just don't know WHY no one snuck their drone in close to post the fly-by to Youtube!). Any books that might have plans or isometric drawings or photos?

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Tracy White -Researcher@Large

"Let the evidence guide the research. Do not have a preconceived agenda which will only distort the result."
-Barbara Tuchman

Hi, Im am having exactly the same problem as you. Take this as you wish as it is a world of waships video of Exeter. It is post refit but if you add what we know from photos to be true they seem to have got hold of some info not generally available . The step in the railings around the inclined ladders is correct , the ladder going up the starbord side where the gap in the awning is, is correct . Also what looks like two slightly angled squaues on the posible lookout is there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeE6diL5GGE&t=78s wotrth a look any way, as if it all fits in to existing photos possibly the other parts are right? for me it answers the 12 foot range finder conundrem and their hight as well ?

Hmmm completely didn't think that the darker deck was a different material versus just recessed and in shadow from the bulkhead.

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Tracy White -Researcher@Large

"Let the evidence guide the research. Do not have a preconceived agenda which will only distort the result."
-Barbara Tuchman