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Post by delaplume on Jan 24, 2019 15:14:39 GMT
Hello everyone,
I've started this thread so that Greenglade ( and "Friends") can carry-on with discussing matters Nautical, Millitary and Service to the Crown, and thus give the subject full, unrestricted coverage...... At 15.13 hrs. we're partway through the Afternoon Watch with the First Dog looming, so it's over to you chaps then}--------------->
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Post by delaplume on Jan 24, 2019 15:34:58 GMT
-------- this'll help you understand the Watch Keeping terminology}-------- www.historicnavalfiction.com/general-hnf-info/naval-facts/the-watch-systemNOTE}--- Mid Day exists as 12.00 because this is when the Mid-day sighting was taken and the watch keeping cycle begins........However there is no such thing as Midnight on the 24 Hr. Clock !!......It goes from 23.59 to 00.01.........have a look at your computer clock to verify this..
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2019 17:07:18 GMT
Ok, I'll bite... HMS Hood, the largest warship in the Royal Navy's history up till the new Queen Elizabeth carriers which at 920 long or 60' longer than Hood. They also weigh much more at 70,000 tons compared to 'Hoods' 45,000 tons when sunk. Here's a picture of her ( I have a file on Hood nearly as big as 4472) IMHO there has never been a ship built that looks better than the 'Might Hood', she's pure elegance, grace and beauty to the eye. Here's the kit that I bought last year, as mentioned before it's the first plastic kit that I have bought in decades, when I saw this kit and the after market brass etch available for it I just had to have it, I think that this while be the 5th or 6th model of this warship that I have built(well when finished). This includes a scratch built model made in the early 80's which was 1/150th scale, nearly 6'. This model is 1/200th which is over 4'. there's approx. 1500 parts in this kit. And then there's the Pontos After market brass etch kit with approx. 5,000 etches, needless to say there's an awful lot of work in this model. Pontos worked closely with Trumpeter in making this etch kit and also with the HMS Hood association who have a very detailed review on their website which lists all errors made by Trumpeter which are corrected using the Pontos kit. The combination of the trumpeter kit and the Pontos etch set will produce the most accurate and detailed model of HMS Hood ever made, it's that good. This picture shows roughly how far I have got with mine, of course, me being me has added even more detail as my research finds it. Going back to what started this thread (thanks Alan) a few more images from the game, this time 'screen prints', you may note that I have changed the paint scheme .The start of a battle, oh and yes it's raining again but in this case it was only a shower. I wasn't really playing, more trying to take screen shots and save them, I don't have any apps for doing multiple shots so ha to leave the game each time to save the image, needless to say I didn't last long in this particular game... Close up of the forward gun turrets Cruising at 30 knts, and the shower has stopped, cyclones are great, your visibility is cut down massively, it can be a bit of a surprise when an enemy ship suddenly appears out of the gloom, radar isn't very effective in bad weather. And just like in real life the 'Mighty hood' can sink, I was unlucky here, two of us both with capital ships were in a duel with 3 enemy battleships, we had no Destroyer escort at this point and thus hadn't noticed the enemy destroyer sneak up on us, first I knew was a bank of torpedoes heading towards my flank. Having already lost half my health during the duel it's not surprising that 3 torpedo hits sunk me... The smoke screen behind me was created by a friendly cruiser to give us two capital ships cover, alas travelling at then 31 knts I was too fast to take advantage of it. Our side won anyway.. BTW, the game mechanics are very good, in fact they are excellent, the best by far, each ship not only looks like it's prototype but behaves like it too. The shells have the same flight characteristics, the armour and how shells deflect is as physics dictates. The 3D model of Hood has the same armour layout as the real ship, she's very tough at a head on angle, she's weak to broadside and very weak to plunging shells, best to get in close, of course enemy dive bombers are very effective against her. Ok that's my warship chat, more PC game really but hey, I don't just make models... Pete
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Post by Jim on Jan 25, 2019 4:50:54 GMT
I had the Airfix kit of the Hood and as you say Pete a very fine looking ship.
Also have the 1908 (revised and reprinted 1926) Manual of Seamanship and the 1964 Admiralty Manual of Seamanship both wonderful sources of all things nautical. My daughter, a Lieut Commander in the RAN gave me a her copy of Notes on Navigation while I've managed to add Brown's Signalling, Chapman's Communications Afloat and Colregs among other books. I'm not sure where I'm going with this but it does explain why I was viewed with deep suspicion on a Pacific cruise taking dawn sites with my, wait for it, plastic (oh no!) Davis Sextant. Had great fun plotting our position and course while others were getting sozzled at the bar. So ends my confession and I promise not to do it again until next time.
Jim
ps I should also add that I don't fly a red ensign from the back of the car when going to Aldi's.
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Post by runner42 on Jan 25, 2019 6:20:46 GMT
Hi Pete,
I have a poser for you, I am trying to think of the name of a post war (WW2) battleship that was around in the 50s, that I visited on more than one occasion during Navy Days at Portsmouth, when they use to have Navy Days ever year. Living in Portsmouth it was an annual event to go see all the ships. As I am writing I begin to think maybe it wasn't a battleship but a cruiser, whats the difference they are both big and maybe the name was HMS Vanguard? Does this fit the timescale and type of ship?
Brian
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 7:06:23 GMT
Hi Brian
Yes it does. HMS Vanguard was the Royal Navy's last battleship, she was scrapped in the 60's.
Pete
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 7:19:20 GMT
Hi Jim
What a great story, you must be very proud of your daughtet...I have 3 naval ancient books somewhere, I can't remember what they are called. They are official Royal Navy tomes bind in blue which were an annual publication. All technical stuff for naval architects and engineers, large heavy books. I do recall one printed in 1905 that goes into great detail analysing the 'Battle of Trafalga'. IIRC, listing all the ships and their positions during the battle and the individual they were involved in. I haven't looked at these books for years, must try and find them again.
Pete
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Jan 25, 2019 8:41:59 GMT
In my younger, rugby playing days, living in Newport, we used to get the occasional RN vessel as a visitor to Newport Docks.
I enjoyed several "friendlies" against the ships' rugby teams. Always highly competitive on the field, but great company off it, firstly in our clubhouse and later back on board. During a match one of them, turned out to be an officer, caught me off guard with a bit of a haymaker. It landed on my neck so just a bit sore and nothing a bellyful of beer couldn't cure. No, I didn't get the chance to return the compliment, although I drank as much of their beer as was humanly possible.
Pete.
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Post by warspoils on Jan 25, 2019 10:56:27 GMT
Hi Pete, I thought you might appreciate this torpedo boat destroyer I found at a fair last year, over 5 foot long, tinplate, and started life with a steam plant, I think it was made by Ernst Plank, c1910, sometime in its life it was butchered, twin screws replaced with a single screw and an old horseshoe type electric motor installed, most of the external fittings were inside the hull along with decades of dust and cobwebs, I did not want to do a full restoration and spoil what was left of the upper paintwork, but wanted to revert to twin screws, and me painting the lower hull regards Jeff
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Post by Rob on Jan 25, 2019 11:20:16 GMT
Going back to what started this thread (thanks Alan) a few more images from the game, this time 'screen prints', you may note that I have changed the paint scheme .The start of a battle, oh and yes it's raining again but in this case it was only a shower. I wasn't really playing, more trying to take screen shots and save them, I don't have any apps for doing multiple shots so ha to leave the game each time to save the image, needless to say I didn't last long in this particular game... BTW, the game mechanics are very good, in fact they are excellent, the best by far, each ship not only looks like it's prototype but behaves like it too. The shells have the same flight characteristics, the armour and how shells deflect is as physics dictates. The 3D model of Hood has the same armour layout as the real ship, she's very tough at a head on angle, she's weak to broadside and very weak to plunging shells, best to get in close, of course enemy dive bombers are very effective against her. Ok that's my warship chat, more PC game really but hey, I don't just make models... Pete Ah, World of Warships. I may or may not play World of Tanks.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 11:31:46 GMT
Hi Jeff That's a lovely model and I bet it has a few stories to tell too, I have built a model of what I think is that class, certainly the right era 1905/08. If the same, the 'F' class were the first true 'Destroyers'. Deans Marine still do the kit deansmarine.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/10_31/products_id/480That's a real treasure you have there, well done, would you believe that these ships could do over 30 knts, in 1905?...lovely ships if a little wet, mind you know one could go on 'Hood's' quarterdeck when at speed in a heavy sea as it was mostly under water.... Pete
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Post by delaplume on Jan 25, 2019 12:07:38 GMT
Hi Brian Yes it does. HMS Vanguard was the Royal Navy's last battleship, she was scrapped in the 60's. Pete Ah---- the Vanguard.........Now there WAS a handsome looking vessel IMHO that is....LoL !! Here's the Wiki }-------- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Vanguard_(23)
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Post by silverfox on Jan 25, 2019 15:32:20 GMT
I would give my right arm for a decent sized kit of HMS Dido 1/200) Seen several mentioned on the net but trying to get more details..........like trying to nail mince to a wall
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 16:03:39 GMT
I would give my right arm for a decent sized kit of HMS Dido 1/200) Seen several mentioned on the net but trying to get more details..........like trying to nail mince to a wall Not sure but I think we may have spoken on this subject before Ron? There are 1/350 kits, both plastic and resin. Deans Marine do a nice 1/96 hull but you'd have to scratchbuild the rest yourself. Most of the fittings are available in this scale as they are common among all classes, you might even find the turrets in resin or vac formed too. The best solution is the card model that's available in 1/200, if built well I defy anyone to tell that it's made from card, take a look at the pictures in this link. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Light-Cruiser-HMS-Naiad-Dido-Class-1-200-paper-card-model-kit-78cm-long/233092877419?hash=item36456b0c6b:g:wBcAAOSwmOJaDgik:rk:2:pf:0It's cheap too so not all lost if it's not to your taste... Perhaps more suitable is the 1/128 fleetscale model, again this is a semi-kit so needs lots to be built from scratch (drawings are available from fleetscale) but this particular size is perfect for a cruiser sized warship, the hull comes out at 48" which would make a nice display piece. Pete
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Post by Jim on Jan 25, 2019 16:38:39 GMT
As a 12yo I remember seeing HMAS (ex HMS) Shropshire at anchor in Athol Bight in Sydney Harbour after the war where she was anchored prior to be broken up. To my young eyes she was a most impressive warship and though I didn't know it at the time had been a gift to the RAN as a replacement for HMAS Canberra which was lost in the battle of Salvo Island.
Jim
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Post by silverfox on Jan 25, 2019 19:38:10 GMT
Pete I will bow to your superior memory.
If i didnt have the B17 then doing a lot myself is a no brainer.
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,901
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Post by jma1009 on Jan 25, 2019 23:54:33 GMT
I find all this fascinating!
Keep it going!
My brother did 26 years in the RN, and in our teens would attend 'Navy Days' at Portsmouth when you could clamber over all the ships and a few subs on Bank Holidays.
It is only in recent years I have begun to appreciate our RN and MN, and as Pete knows I have a great interest in 'The Californian Incident' re Titanic and particularly the SS Californian commanded by Captain Stanley Lord.
When I was a young member of the IWMES we had lots of RN ex-WW2 members who regaled us with all sorts of stories of their WW2 experiences. Some of these were written up by the late Fred Wills and Tom Chapman in our quarterly newsletter. Tom had his RN ship sunk off Ireland in WW2 and was lucky to escape. Fred joined up in 1936 in the RN, and had lots of stories about exploits in WW2 including being on a USA liberty ship and being bombed in Malta. Later, he pretty much built all of an LBSC 'Bantam Cock' in the toolroom of George V after WW2 before George V was decommissioned.
I should guess that for a considerable number of years the membership of the IWMES comprised over 50% members interested in boats and model boat building and the IWMES has always had a large boating pond within the circuit of the raised and later ground level tracks.
Cheers, Julian
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Post by David on Jan 26, 2019 8:36:57 GMT
While I lived in Sydney and was a volunteer with the Heritage Fleet we were given a tour of the Vampire at the Maritime Museum, getting a look at a few places you don't usually get to see like the boiler room (stoke hold?) Really enjoyed that. Now I'm older and safe from having to take orders I'm starting to wish I'd spent a stint in the navy or air force. But when I was young enough to do it it seemed like the worst thing in the world, being told what to do!
As for sextants, I borrowed a book from the library last week to learn how to use one and I'd like to make one, one day. Anyone know of a published design?
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Post by delaplume on Jan 26, 2019 10:51:40 GMT
An article on building a working sextant would be both different and interesting I think.......Good idea..
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Post by 92220 on Jan 26, 2019 14:49:11 GMT
Anybody interested in making an accurate scale model of Brave Borderer, the first gas turbine patrol boat made by Vospers, for the Royal Navy? As the company I worked for designed and built equipment for the Navy, being in the drawing office, I had a lowish security clearance, so they had no problem supplying me with official drawings. The boat is out of commision and sold now, so restictions on the drawings are long-gone. I have a G.A., assembly drawings of the transom flaps and line and hull section drawings, to make a correct shape hull. These drawings came from direct Vospers. In those days I didn't have a workshop to build a loco, so I made large scale model radio controlled boats. Although I had the drawings, I never got around to building Brave Borderer. Instead, I built a 4 feet long model of a Vosper Rescue and Target Towing launch, and ran it at MPBA (Model Power Boat Association) regattas, against smaller boats specifically designed for speed. They used to get a bit upset when a 4' long boat could beat them around the Naviga speed course. The best speed was timed at 25mph. The boat was powered by a 1hp Merco 61 glo motor, mounted in the stern, just in front of the rudder post. It then drove forward to a 2:1 Vee gearbox, which was connected to the shaft. The propeller was a 2" diameter, X50 racing prop, with a pitch of 6". With the Merco running at top speed it was doing 14,000 rpm, which meant the prop was doing 7k revs. Somewhere I have a photo of the boat at speed. I found it, with some others, in an old box of photos my mother had. I'll try and find them again and post some pics.
Bob.
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