Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[81542]

Tom,

Re: Treatment of Oerlikon and Bofors gun barrels.

It is known as "Parkerising," or "Parkerizing" if you are an American.

81542

[Fliger747]

Waiting, waiting, Okinawa. Quad 40 mm Bofors. As with every other water cooled Bofors I have seen, these are painted. As a collector of military rifles I an very familiar with parkerizing, the water cooled naval Bofors were not parkerized. Just like the 5"38's, if they needed re painting, they were re painted. These are a little interesting in the receivers are painted deck blue on top and may have a lighter grey or white on the bottom of the barrels.

Cheers: Tom

[Fliger747]

Stern Bofors, USS Poseidon, transiting Rich Passage, 1945, photo courtesy of my father. These are painted as well. As was often the case the flash hiders are black to enhance the effectiveness at night.

[Fliger747]

To avoid some confusion, I am not even slightly interested in the black of the 20 mm Orlikons, my question about the colors only applies to the 40 MM Bofors, which being painted dark (Black?) without regards to the paint pattern of the shields.

Tom

[Rick E Davis]

Actually, because of the water-cooled jackets, the barrels aren't visible. In a random review of images, it looks like "normally" the "recoil spring" section was painted black and the cooling jacket section could be painted whatever camo scheme the ship was painted in, or not. I guess the ship's CO decided.

This view of USS IOWA "Dated" May 1943 when she was painted in Ms 22, shows the 40-mm guns painted black (or maybe 5-N?). However, during 1945 when she was once again painted in Ms 22, the 40-mm guns were painted 5-H with black springs.



As for USS IOWA in mid-1944 or in 1944 during her dazzle camo period; every 40-mm that are visible in the photos I have scanned in mid-1944 of USS IOWA with dazzle camo, appear to have BLACK painted guns ... cooling jackets and springs. One of the aerial B&W images I have of IOWA during 1944, as well as the view from her bow looking aft (80-G-256593 posted earlier), show her forward bow quad 40-mm mounts do appear to have "likely" 5-H painted cooling jackets. I don't have color or B&W images at close enough ranges to determine color of the aft mounts.

[Rick E Davis]

OH ... An image I had forgotten about, that I spotted while looking for additional views of USS IOWA, which "may" explain "Very Light" painted areas onboard USS IOWA in May-June 1944.

This image (80-GK-6116) of USS IOWA, likely taken in early in Spring 1943 during her shakedown. The NHHC website has this image and the caption says;

USS IOWA (BB-61) Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll (center), CinC, Atlantic Fleet, with other officers at the ship's bow, during an inspection visit, circa Spring 1943. IOWA was then on her shakedown cruise. Officers to either side of INGERSOLL are: (left) Rear Admiral Olaf M. Hustvedt, and (right) Captain John L. McCrea (Iowa's C/O). Note: Deck being painted with "Deck Blue" camouflage paint, anchor chain, jack, and capstan.

Note no 20-mm guns at the bow. I love the variety of paints in use!!

With all the HIGH LEVEL Brass and obvious painting still going on, it is a wonder there are no "CAUTION WET PAINT" signs deployed to keep them off the wet paint.

[Fliger747]

I think the lone whitehat present is to keep the brass safe from mishap! My dad has some photos of the newly minted Rear Admiral Danial V Gallery visiting his ship upon return to San Diego at the end of the war. At least he was the only Admiral in the visiting party.

Does the white chain link suggest she has some shots of chain out and is at anchor?

[Jon C Ryckert]

OH ... An image I had forgotten about, that I spotted while looking for additional views of USS IOWA, which "may" explain "Very Light" painted areas onboard USS IOWA in May-June 1944.

This image (80-GK-6116) of USS IOWA, likely taken in early in Spring 1943 during her shakedown. The NHHC website has this image and the caption says;

USS IOWA (BB-61) Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll (center), CinC, Atlantic Fleet, with other officers at the ship's bow, during an inspection visit, circa Spring 1943. IOWA was then on her shakedown cruise. Officers to either side of INGERSOLL are: (left) Rear Admiral Olaf M. Hustvedt, and (right) Captain John L. McCrea (Iowa's C/O). Note: Deck being painted with "Deck Blue" camouflage paint, anchor chain, jack, and capstan.

Note no 20-mm guns at the bow. I love the variety of paints in use!!

With all the HIGH LEVEL Brass and obvious painting still going on, it is a wonder there are no "CAUTION WET PAINT" signs deployed to keep them off the wet paint.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f9 ... 608-6.html

Maybe this is of some help.

[Fliger747]

Looks as if she has 80 fathoms of chain out for the Starboard Anchor.

[bigjimslade]

An interesting feature of this photograph is that it shows the paravane chain loop. The paravane winch is different from that on New Jerseu.

[bigjimslade]

A little New Jersey Trivia:

The bridge is not symmetric. The face extends farther to the starboard side than to the port side.

[TZoli]

Hello!

I wish to ask about USS New Jersey.
How many RQ-2 Pioneer control radars did it had?
Iowa had two: one on the bridge structure forward just under the ECM level and one aft just forward and above of the 2nd funnel.
On New Jersey I seen photos that the place for a single radar was made on the same spot as on Iowa's 2nd such radar eg above the 2nd Funnel, but I've seen photos where it was actually installed between the aft Phalanxes in front of the 2nd Funnel at that deckhouse level.

[bigjimslade]

Hello!

I wish to ask about USS New Jersey.
How many RQ-2 Pioneer control radars did it had?
Iowa had two: one on the bridge structure forward just under the ECM level and one aft just forward and above of the 2nd funnel.
On New Jersey I seen photos that the place for a single radar was made on the same spot as on Iowa's 2nd such radar eg above the 2nd Funnel, but I've seen photos where it was actually installed between the aft Phalanxes in front of the 2nd Funnel at that deckhouse level.

There was one on the mainmast and one on the aviation service center.

Both are visible here:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/0162009.jpg

[TZoli]

Hello!

I wish to ask about USS New Jersey.
How many RQ-2 Pioneer control radars did it had?
Iowa had two: one on the bridge structure forward just under the ECM level and one aft just forward and above of the 2nd funnel.
On New Jersey I seen photos that the place for a single radar was made on the same spot as on Iowa's 2nd such radar eg above the 2nd Funnel, but I've seen photos where it was actually installed between the aft Phalanxes in front of the 2nd Funnel at that deckhouse level.

There was one on the mainmast and one on the aviation service center.

Both are visible here:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/0162009.jpg

Sorry but I only see one, the dome above the 2nd funnel.
I'm talking about this spherical radar dome:
https://www.tamiya.com/english/products ... ouri/4.jpg

[bigjimslade]

Look below the barrel at the right on the 16-inch gun turret.

The kit shows the early ABL platform before it was extended and the RPV antenna that was only on the last cruise.

[Mr. Church]

Maybe it is common knowledge? But I had never noticed it before in photos or videos.

At some point in USS New Jersey's 1968/69 Vietnam Commission (or possibly her sea trials before re-commissioning?) her helipad was named 'New Jersey International'. Not sure of the exact date:

Also a white star was painted on the roof of No. 3 Main Gun Turret:

Stills taken from an unrelated video about battleship lifeboats from the USS New Jersey Museum's Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEYAPVHXk_k

[BB62vet]

Mr. Church,

Probably not "common" knowledge re. the attributes of USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) during her 1968-69 commission, i.e. her various paint scheme(s). The "NEW JERSEY INTERNATIONAL" was added during her WestPac Cruise as was the star on the overhead of Turret #3. Here is a photo of her prior to leaving for WestPac -

And here's a picture of my 1:200 scale USS NEW JERSEY model with the Helo Pad and Turret #3 properly adorned:

Photo by Bill Mitchell

I sincerely appreciate your mention of this particular aspect of our vessel - just another unique facet of the ship during this commission.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Note the swimming pool tubs fed on the O1 level!

Tom

[Mr. Church]

Mr. Church,

Probably not "common" knowledge re. the attributes of USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) during her 1968-69 commission, i.e. her various paint scheme(s). The "NEW JERSEY INTERNATIONAL" was added during her WestPac Cruise as was the star on the overhead of Turret #3. Here is a photo of her prior to leaving for WestPac -

Resized-OH of BB62 prior to WestPac.jpg

And here's a picture of my 1:200 scale USS NEW JERSEY model with the Helo Pad and Turret #3 properly adorned:

Resized-IMG_0832.JPG

I sincerely appreciate your mention of this particular aspect of our vessel - just another unique facet of the ship during this commission.

Hank

Beautiful model. No problem regarding the mention.

Little details like that interest me. Aerial recognition markings painted on battleship main gun turrets is a subject in itself. There have been many examples in many different forms from stripes to national flags etc. Plus hull numbers in the case of US Battleships.

[Sean_the_Nailer]

So, with regards to "New Jersey International" is it safe to assume that a 'foreign helicopter' landed on that flight-deck? Some other admiral from some other navy that was taking part?

Just curious as to the back-story on that one.