Shipbucket

Awesome work, Colo!

erik_t wrote: ↑July 6th, 2018, 6:29 pm All of this talk of telescoping topmasts is interesting. Was this a particular focus of the Worcesters (being very big for cruisers, perhaps they needed help fitting into traditionally cruiser berths, or something), or does this instead reflect your ever-deepening mania for research?

I know, whatever the answer, it's not as cool as a Forrestal!

Looks like it could be 32nd Street Bridge in San Diego Harbor. Carriers usually docked at North Island because of the bridge. My home away from home, the Long Beach (CGN-9), was unable to get under the bridge and also docked at North Island when we were transferred from Long Beach after our 1974-75 WESTPAC.

seeker36340 wrote: ↑July 11th, 2018, 1:54 am Looks like it could be 32nd Street Bridge in San Diego Harbor. Carriers usually docked at North Island because of the bridge. My home away from home, the Long Beach (CGN-9), was unable to get under the bridge and also docked at North Island when we were transferred from Long Beach after our 1974-75 WESTPAC.

For someone who knows San Diego only from pictures and maps, which bridge is that 32nd Street Bridge? I only know San Diego-Coronado Bridge.

Ian,

You have planned ? to draw them in 1945 configuration (final wartime one with camo, quads 40 & twin 20) ?...your favorite era

Colombamike wrote: ↑July 11th, 2018, 6:37 pm Ian,

You have planned ? to draw them in 1945 configuration (final wartime one with camo, quads 40 & twin 20) ?...your favorite era

Maybe. But as always, real ships come first.

I second to this one ! Would be lovely to have a version like the one on WoWS with the Ms32 camo (probably not too likely for 1945 but hey )

Careful what you wish for.

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This is WORCESTER (CL-144) if the ship had been commissioned in August 1945. This version is camouflaged in Measure 22, though using the earlier blue-tinted colors. I based this drawing off photos of the BuAer recognition model prepared for GARY (CL-144) in 1945, prior to the name GARY being reassigned to hull number CL-147.

The most obvious difference is the AA fit; with the 3"/50 RF not yet available, WORCESTER has received 40mm Bofors quads in those positions, with attendant Mark 51 directors. The Bofors gun tubs are the earlier type, rather than the more modern variation WORCESTER was actually fitted with for her 3"/50s. In this depiction, WORCESTER has received the full complement of twin 20mm Oerlikons, with 20 twin guns total.

The prominent enclosed bridge, with pilothouse glazing at the 03 level, has not yet been fitted, as the original plans called for a bridge more akin to BALTIMORE (CA-68) or the later CLEVELAND (CL-55) class ships. The ship's radar fit is typical for a larger unit late in the war, with the round reflector of SK-2 atop the foremast, with SG-6 above. The SP height finder is mounted on the mainmast with a second backup SG on the maintop. DBM radar direction finders in radomes flank the maintop, and tactical radio antennas are bracketed to the maintop and foretop rail. A TDY jamming antenna is bracketed to the rear of the foremast, and the radomes of the TDY* S-band jamming system are visible, with the receiving antenna on an outrigger ahead of the #2 funnel and transmitters mounted to the amidships Mark 37 director foundations. The fire control radar fitted to the Mark 37 directors is the late-war Mark 12 with Mark 22 heightfinder. Mark 57 directors immediately ahead of the pilothouse and aft of the #4 Mark 37 provide blindfire capability for the 40mm Bofors guns.

Were the ship commissioned in 1945, it would have received the designed catapults and seaplane complement. An SC Seahawk of Cruiser Scouting Squadron EIGHTEEN (VCS-18) is spotted on the catapult aft.

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This is the Measure 32/3D design adapted to WORCESTER. Under no circumstances would this camouflage have been applied in August of 1945, but it was a fun thought experiment to take the design and convert it to work with WORCESTER.

Below is the same design, with the Measure 33 colors:

Awesome!

Very fine work indeed.