Calling all Buckley-class/Captain-class (DE/APD) fans

[john53]

hello---was looking at Buckley class pics for a future build and noticed "power spools" on some in place of torpedo tubes---new to this site----whats a power spool?----probably been asked before but has got my curiosity---thanks--John

[Tracy White]

Some of the DDs and DE's were turned into floating power stations.. they could supply power to shore through cables carried on those spools.

Welcome aboard, by the way!

[john53]

Just received 1/350 Trumpeter in mail, what a BEAUTY!!! Would like to do an Atlantic convoy DE and need info on modifications I might need. I had heard that these ships didn't have the torpedo tubes? Is there somewhere on this forum where I might "fish" for information?---Thanks--John

[Edward Pinniger]

hallo all,
A correction to my post of yesterday.
The Captain Class DE's had the same armament as the Buckley's exept the Captains had NO triple 21 inch torpedo tubes
regards,
Ludwig

Nor did they have the quad 1.1" and director ... also half the DC throwers were replaced by extra on-deck storage racks ...

John

What would the 1.1" gun have been replaced by - a 2pdr pom-pom? And were the torpedo tubes replaced with other armament (AA?) or simply removed?

Thanks for the information, anyway - it seems like the conversion will be more straightforward than I thought (as most of the armament will have to be scratchbuilt in any case)

[ar]

And some of them were fitted to carry ONE TON depth charges, and some were actually fitted with.
So my dear sir, how about a model showing this configeration, what say you?

hallo all,
A correction to my post of yesterday.
The Captain Class DE's had the same armament as the Buckley's exept the Captains had NO triple 21 inch torpedo tubes
regards,
Ludwig

Nor did they have the quad 1.1" and director ... also half the DC throwers were replaced by extra on-deck storage racks ...

John

[jRatz]

Nor did they have the quad 1.1" and director ... also half the DC throwers were replaced by extra on-deck storage racks ...
John

What would the 1.1" gun have been replaced by - a 2pdr pom-pom? And were the torpedo tubes replaced with other armament (AA?) or simply removed?

Thanks for the information, anyway - it seems like the conversion will be more straightforward than I thought (as most of the armament will have to be scratchbuilt in any case)

Essentially the 1.1" and torpedo tubes were replaced by nothing. In upgrades & refits, various combos of 2-pdr or 20mm may have been added. You have to check the specfic ship you wish to build.

There are also little structural changes, again varying by ship & role. Those on Atlantic duty were different than those doing Channel work, etc ...

WEM has a photoetch set with mods to build the Captain Class.

Use "google" you'll find lots of refs. Here are some good books ...

1. The Destroyer Escort England, Al Ross, Conway Maritime Press, 1985, ISBN:0851773257.
2. The Captain Class Frigates in the 2nd World War, Donald Collingwood, Naval Institute Press, 1999, ISBN:1555701955.
3. Destroyer Escorts In Action, Al Adcock, Squadron Warships #11, 1997, ISBN:0897473787.
4. The Buckley-Class Destroyer Escorts, Bruce Franklin, Naval Institute Press, 1999, ISBN:1557502803.
5. Allied Escort Ships of World War II, Peter Elliott, Naval Institute Press, 1977, ISBN:0356084019.
6. American Destroyer Escorts of World War 2, Peter Elliott, Almark Press, 1974, ISBN:0855241616.

John

[ducati650]

Gordon,
Any updates on your DE build?
Ed

[TWoyma]

Question for all those more knowledgeable about these little ships then I (and that's pretty much...everyone).

I am looking to build this kit at USS J. Douglas Blackwood (DE-219) as she appeared in the early 1960s as a Naval Reserve training ship. Besides swapping out some 5/38s for the 3-inch guns, what general modifications are needed?

I checked Navsource, which was little help. There are 3 somewhat poor photos from the 1950s that gives a few starting points, but nothing from the 1960s.

Thanks in advance,

[Laurence Batchelor]

I came across this today and thought it might be of some help.
It is poor quality but at least it's wartime:

HMS Cosby K559 (foreground) and HMS Rutherford K558 (background)

[john53]

Hello---started Trumpeter 1/350 England and doing Buckley in measure 22 scheme,haze gray 5H,navy blue 5N and deck dlue 20B. Is the deck blue really as dark as chip shows it I found on web? It looks VERY dark almost black like WWII Navy sea blue used on Hellcats and Corsairs? All the horizontal decks were that dark? Also I have found good pics for color details on 20 MM and 3 inch guns but can't find and color pics of 1.1 inch anti aircraft gus on rear upper deck aft of torpedos, any sites I'm missing? Thanks---John

[Tracy White]

I wouldn't really trust color chips you find on the web, but yes, it was pretty dark. In fact, the colors of the aircraft were matched with the ships so that they wouldn't stand out so much.

You can buy a paint chip set from Snyder & Short @ Shipcamouflage.com as well.

[John]

Tracy thanks for info---am going to order paints from White Ensign. Also getting a bit ahead I was thinking of building decks, no guns or small parts, masking hull then deck, then adding guns,k-guns, racks etc. and possibly painting PE railing ON sprues before attaching them to deck? My logic is it would be easier to "touch up" rather than bending or damaging rails trying to paint them after? This is first ship since the old Revell days back in late 60's so a lot of these PE parts and detailing is totally new to me(can't teach an old dog new tricks?---hope so!!!!)---thanks---John

[Tracy White]

"His crew sank a German submarine." U.S.S. Otter (DE 210) , ca. 03/1945

I thought this photo might be of interest as it shows the arbors for the K-guns to great effect.

[Timmy C]

*Resurrects thread*

I just got the Trumpy 350th kit today on my way between school campuses (not that that matters).

I'm looking to build her out of the box, with a colour scheme that has a side pattern.

Anyone know which ships of this class would fit those criteria?

[Tracy White]

Anyone know which ships of this class would fit those criteria?

Silly!

[Timmy C]

I meant, also be able to build directly out of the box, too =P

[ArizonaBB39]

Timmy, I built the USS Damon M. Cummings DE-643 OOB with a Ms32 scheme

[Tracy White]

I meant, also be able to build directly out of the box, too =P

Actually, you could do England herself if we had any idea what the pattern was. She wore dazzle but we haven't been able to ID it yet. She's the one I want to do first.

[Timmy C]

Any photos available of her in dazzle? Or did you know from written accounts?

It'd be best to do England, as there are no decals provided for names of the other ships =P

[Tracy White]

Buckley has a poor quality photo of her starboard side... I took it and compared it to all the stbd side Buckley class patterns posted on NHC and it didn't match any of them... I've since learned that on the Benson/Gleaves, DDs, some of the ships had the port and starboard side patterns switched.. .I haven't made the time to go back and see if that's what happened with England.

I've got a document I've promised to post this weekend, but if I need a break from coding I'll start looking at pictures and see what I can determine.