Calling all Butler-class & Rudderow-class DE fans

[MartinJQuinn]

Martin,

There were only a few BUTLER class units (without digging deeper, seems like about ten units) actually "completed" with what could be called the Anti-Kamikaze Mod (actually the boost in AA armament was plan for the DE's well before the Anti-Kamikaze Mod program). A couple of DE's completed with just the quad 40-mm mount and no midships twin 40-mm mounts. However, it was made the "ultimate armament" for the 5-in armed units with the 3-in armed units getting a similar arrangement without a forward twin 40-mm mount. Post-WWII many units recommissioned for the Korea War mobilization were modified to this configuration. Eventually, a subset of the 5-in armed units upgraded for better ASW capability lost the forward twin 40-mm mount and had a Mk 15 rotating hedgehog installed in its place.

If you need to know specific units so modified, I have a copy of the 1949 Ships Data that lists what armament the remaining DE's had and could count and list them. The listing may not be complete or has errors, but is the easiest way to get a good idea of which units and how many were upgraded. In the 1950's several DE units were modified for ASW with various armaments superseding this "ultimate" armament.

Thanks Rick. I did notice a photo of one Butler with the Quad and the torpedo mount instead of the two twin 40s.

I'm reviewing the aforementioned Black Cat kit, and wanted to mention, if possible, which units could be built out of the box in the "late" configuration. I'll leave it up to the modeler to do the research!

[Rick E Davis]

Paper no digital copies. The partial copy of the 1949 Ships Data I have was one I made back in the 1970-80's at NHC. I only copied the DD, DE, and DMS sections. It is a very basic listing, only listing armament 40-mm and bigger.

It is useful, but like any database (including Armament Summaries), it is only as good as what data was furnished TO the beancounter complying the list. There is missing data.