SovereignHobbies wrote:Thank you to EJ and Frank for the work on the decks. Would you care to critique this draft?
I love the graphic Jamie! I wish we had something like that on the Hood website. Maybe one day.
I agree with what EJ already posted but have the following additions/clarifications:
1. Layout of Corticene/Semtex- Its important that folks know that the precise layout is still not known to us. What was presented so far is pure conjecture based upon the evidence found to date. In reality, it may have looked somewhat different (and knowing Hood, probably did!).
2. Triangles near the forward UPs- This is a squarish area of deck under the UP. This is one of the locations confirmed to have first received semtex in 1937. Was it retained, unaltered, after this area was modified to accept the UP launcher and shielding? Maybe, maybe not. I'm sure they wouldn't have added corticene back to the area under the launcher because linoleum and rocket exhaust simply do not mix. I suspect semtex continued to be used, but perhaps the shape of the deck area covered was different. The big question is, what shape was the area? Unknown...but it would certainly be within the splinter shield and I also expect it to be in the area of the associated ready use lockers (based on observations of other gun positions).
3. Speaking of ready use lockers, as EJ mentioned, the three small boxes ahead of the forward UPs were not there. I'm not really sure how those came to be in any drawings really...as they aren't on the plans and do not appear in any photos I know of (there is a cable reel that someone may have mistaken for a box). There were lockers, but according to the deck plans and boat deck schematic from the sinking enquiry, they were a bit farther aft...they were near the deck edge between the UP shield and pom pom. Interestingly, the plans show the same thing for the aft UPs (2 lockers...but slightly staggered in that of the two lockers, the aft one was slightly more inboard than the one immediately forward). I have no idea where the idea that each mount had three lockers originated. Looks like 2 small lockers per mount (plus several lockers under the deck in the former side batteries). There were of course a set of three lockers just forward of the aft UP splinter shields, but I don't recall if they too were actually for the UPs. They are deeper than regular Ready Use lockers, but taller than standard UP lockers. They also seemed to have a different style of door. Perhaps they were used for some other purpose. They are not listed as ammo lockers in the enquiry schematic.
4. Antifouling Colours- I would remove the 1939 reference. I think I may have mis-spoken/mistyped that. The last confirmed (in writing) application of grey was in 1938...but she carried that well into 1939 before being repainted. That's what I meant by 1939. Of course, I suspect she possibly kept the same grey if previous usage and the wreck are any indication.
5. Wood Decks- Apparently, according to "Guest" we have conflicting sources (i.e., its listed as teak in the Anatomy of the Ship book). I never had reason to doubt that, but I guess on top of the other recent finds, it would be good to get it right for the more detail-oriented folks among us (as for me, I don't think it matters much either way/it will look largely similar at typical scales, but others will surely disagree). I'll try to peruse the ship's cover to see if that throws any light on the matter (of course, if someone can cite an original official record, that would definitely help save time). That will take some time as its a convoluted document (tons of photos to go through).
Are you interested in some other detail updates? I see a few minor/easily corrected things that can help give you an accurate "as sunk" Hood (right now its a mix of 1940 and as-sunk). These include some changes to the bridge and boat deck shields, boats/rafts and degaussing cable. I can post here, or I can send you some info privately.
