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Sink the Bismarck! HMS Ark Royal, 26 May 1941


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Thanks, Richard; I had previously believed (as I think had Ian) that the port pom-poms weren’t fitted until after the Bismarck action.  A&A documentation is pretty conclusive; fitted in Gib about a month pre-Bismarck, then.

 

I see 2 further sessions of intricate Tetra brass-wrangling in my future; I currently have 4 complete pom-poms.  Ah well; adds more visual interest!

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It also changes things as far as the photographic evidence is concerned. I have an original photo, taken from an aircraft that has just taken off, showing 12 Swordfish on deck armed with torpedoes. The port side pom-poms are in place.  I've just checked the log details as recorded by Naval History net and the only time there is a record of 12+ torpedo armed Swordfish after April 21 is during the Bismarck chase.  An Interesting detail revealed by the photo is the bow round down between the two catapults has the starboard third overpainted in a very dark grey. It also looks like the starboard catapult mechanism is exposed at the bow end (and I assume not functioning).

 

Edit

Crisp has pointed out that it's the cradle on the starboard catapult. Once you've seen it, impossible to mistake for anything else... One of the drawbacks of very high magnification. 

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12 hours ago, Ex-FAAWAFU said:

Thanks, Richard; I had previously believed (as I think had Ian) that the port pom-poms weren’t fitted until after the Bismarck action.  A&A documentation is pretty conclusive; fitted in Gib about a month pre-Bismarck, then.

 

I see 2 further sessions of intricate Tetra brass-wrangling in my future; I currently have 4 complete pom-poms.  Ah well; adds more visual interest!

 In case it makes any visual difference, the two fitted in April 1941 were Mk VIA mountings with Mk VIII "low velocity" guns. 

Edited by dickrd
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10 hours ago, iang said:

It also changes things as far as the photographic evidence is concerned. I have an original photo, taken from an aircraft that has just taken off, showing 12 Swordfish on deck armed with torpedoes. The port side pom-poms are in place.  I've just checked the log details as recorded by Naval History net and the only time there is a record of 12+ torpedo armed Swordfish after April 21 is during the Bismarck chase.  An Interesting detail revealed by the photo is the bow round down between the two catapults has the starboard third overpainted in a very dark grey. It also looks like the starboard catapult mechanism is exposed at the bow end (and I assume not functioning).

 

 

Any chance of seeing this photo, please?

Edited by RAF4EVER
forgot to be polite
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1 hour ago, RAF4EVER said:

Any chance of seeing this photo, please?

Normally I'm happy to share, but not in this case.  I've an unpublished manuscript on 'Air Attacks on Bismarck' (with Mark Horan), and intend to use the photo in the book. Sorry.

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OK,thank you for your reply

12 hours ago, iang said:

It also changes things as far as the photographic evidence is concerned. I have an original photo, taken from an aircraft that has just taken off, showing 12 Swordfish on deck armed with torpedoes. The port side pom-poms are in place.  I've just checked the log details as recorded by Naval History net and the only time there is a record of 12+ torpedo armed Swordfish after April 21 is during the Bismarck chase.  An Interesting detail revealed by the photo is the bow round down between the two catapults has the starboard third overpainted in a very dark grey. It also looks like the starboard catapult mechanism is exposed at the bow end (and I assume not functioning).

 

 

Any chance of seeing this photo?

Edited by RAF4EVER
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  • 2 weeks later...

Not for the first time, I think I have finished to two side views; still working on the plan view - these are amended as per the discussions above re port side Pom-poms etc - so as far as I can work out, show her as she was at the time of Bismarck action.

Ark Royal 3 starboard side

 

Ark Royal 3 port side

 

Plan view follows!

 

Crisp

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18 hours ago, giemme said:

Outstanding job, Crisp

 

I concur....

 

3 hours ago, CedB said:

Seconded!

 

........doubly so!

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  • 1 month later...

Crisp

I hope you are getting the point that everyone thinks your build is amazing.   As you know I have been using your build history to help me on my 1/600 Ark Royal.   So, I have a question on the scuttles.   There are no 1/600 scuttles on the market (unless someone knows different) but I have bought a set of Eduard USN 1/700 scuttles.   My question is: what is the size of the of the "glass" in your 1/350 model scuttles, or what are they at life size?  I have done a couple of trial drill outs to 0.5mm which means 300mm full scale.  They look a bit small though.   Kitchentable

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