Calling all Omaha-class (CL-4) fans

[Jeff Sharp]

Interesting look at either Raleigh or Detroit dated 7/25/41. Not sure which ship yet but what caught my eye is her #1 funnel which is not 5-D yet. I wonder if this is her initial painting into MS-1 camo not quite finished yet? It appears that the ship on the opposite side of the pier is also in a middle of a repaint into MS-1. By November, both Raleigh and Detroit were wearing MS-11.

[Jeff Sharp]

That is the launching of USS Nihoa.

[Rick E Davis]

You are seeing YFB-17 (to be named USS NIHOA) being launched (lowered into the water) at PHNY on 25 July 1941. Not many ships were built at PHNY.

The OMAHA class cruiser is USS RICHMOND (CL-9).

As it happens, I pulled the 19-LCM box with the folders for YFB-17 on my last trip to NARA in March, just so I could study the ships in the background. There were the two photos above that Jeff posted, taken during the launch sequence on 25 July 1941. Across the way, there were the destroyer USS McCALL (DD-400), a few unidentified destroyers, and this OMAHA class cruiser. All three showed signs of being painted into Ms 1, which I was puzzled by. I had trouble ID'ing the cruiser, until I spotted the ship's boat tied up alongside the cruiser. The "RIC" on the bow of the boat told the tell that it was USS RICHMOND.

There was another photo dated 25 July 1941, but that I suspect may have actually been taken the day earlier, that showed YFB-17 on the dock awaiting to be launched. In the background (very overexposed) was a view of two destroyers, USS McCALL and USS MAURY (DD-401). The two destroyers appear to be still painted in peacetime paint. The photos taken during the launching showed that the Ms 1 camo scheme was well in being applied. In the bottom two photos below, to the right behind YFB-17, can be seen USS REED BIRD (AMc-30).







What really puzzled me was why these three ships were only just being painted into Ms 1 in late July 1941 when many other Pacific Fleet units had been painted in Ms 1 in April 1941. I went back to the 1941 camo documents that I had been given to review if there was any mention of the three identified ships in these photos. In the initial camo evaluations there was mention that some ships were still painted in the peacetime color. But, I found no mention of McCALL or MAURY. However, USS RICHMOND was mentioned during May 1941 evaluations of the camo with submarines, while USS RICHMOND was the Flagship of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Scouting Force. During the May 1941 evaluations of the various painted camo ship targets against submarines. In the observations, there was comparison to USS RICHMOND painted "light gray". In June 1941, USS RICHMOND was reassigned to Cruiser Div 3.

So, it appears that USS RICHMOND didn't get painted until late July 1941. It may well be that the Pacific Fleet was repainted in stages. When Ms 1 was first ordered, 5-D paint wasn't available. As an interim measure BuShips told the forces afloat to use the existing peacetime light gray and mix it with black paste. The paint looked like 'real" 5-D except it was glosser. Many ships repainted with the planned 5-D paint when it was available.

[Jeff Sharp]

WOW! Nice catch on the "RIC" on the ship's boat. I don't know if I would have ever seen that. There are a few other examples of ships getting painted into MS-1 as late as August. Two that come to mind are Utah and Maryland at Puget Sound.

[Rick E Davis]

It is amazing (sometimes) what can be seen in a HI-RES scanned image of a good original print.

Up to WWII, the boats on the larger ships, above destroyers, painted the first three letters on the ship's boats. I came across a group of photos in 80-G taken in the early 1900's. Many of the ships were not ID'd. But, once I started looking at the ships boats ... the ID's were pretty easy to determine.

[Mike C]

USS MEDUSA (AR-1) is in the background of #371-41.

[Jeff Sharp]

Indeed it is! She too is still in pre-war color. Another August painting into MS-1.

[maccrage]

I know very little about these ships. How difficult would it be to backdate the ISW 1945 Detroit to a 1933 Omaha?

[maccrage]

what scale? plans linked for comparison between 1940 Marblehead & 1945 Detroit.
1945 Detroit plans https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4cn7x3t0pgpm ... tracking=1
1940 Marblehead plans https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4cn7x3t0pgpm ... tracking=1

1/350. Part of my ongoing effort to build all the ships my grandfather was on.

[Rick E Davis]

You say your Grandfather was onboard USS OMAHA?

Here is an oblique overhead view dated 1936. This should give you an idea of what needs to be changed. Fewer AA guns of all types, with only four 3-in/50 guns and likely a few 50-cal MG's, but where? The number of 6-in guns also were reduced leading into and during WWII on most units.

[maccrage]

You say your Grandfather was onboard USS OMAHA?

Here is an oblique overhead view dated 1936. This should give you an idea of what needs to be changed. Fewer AA guns of all types, with only four 3-in/50 guns and likely a few 50-cal MG's, but where? The number of 6-in guns also were reduced leading into and during WWII on most units.

Thank you. Yes, he graduated Annapolis in 1933 and reported aboard as a newly commissioned Ensign. He was onboard until 1935 when he went to Submarine School.
One of my most treasured possessions. A retirement gift given to my grandfather when he left the Navy.

[maccrage]

Received the ISW Detroit yesterday. Have the Classic Warships Omaha book on the way and ordering the Model Monkey turrets. I'm going for Omaha in 1933, right after her refit.

[JAPS]

Hello everyone

I need Your help with my project. I'm looking for body/hull lines for Omaha class cruiser.
thank you
best ragards
chris

[JAPS]

Hello David P

I know this wesite but there is no faired lined of hull
There are only side views and deck

[JAPS]

David.
Check the PM please.
Thank you

[JAPS]

thank you very much David

[pascalemod]

Are there body plans / 3D drawings of Omaha class that shows the hull below water? I looked everywhere but cant find anything, perhaps someone has and can share? (to be used to build lower hull for Omaha class).

[FFG-7]

will get back to you hopefully later today about the plans as just about to leave for a few hrs so time issue.

look at Richmond's page 12 for cross sections & Marblehead for profile as not available in Richmond's plans.
CL-9 USS Richmond Booklet of General Plans 1944 https://archive.org/details/cl9bogp1944
CL-12 USS Marblehead Booklet of General Plans (1942) https://archive.org/details/cl12bogp1942
https://archive.org/details/ship-design ... maha+class
https://archive.org/details/ship-design-drawings

[pascalemod]

will get back to you hopefully later today about the plans as just about to leave for a few hrs so time issue.

look at Richmond's page 12 for cross sections & Marblehead for profile as not available in Richmond's plans.
CL-9 USS Richmond Booklet of General Plans 1944 https://archive.org/details/cl9bogp1944
CL-12 USS Marblehead Booklet of General Plans (1942) https://archive.org/details/cl12bogp1942
https://archive.org/details/ship-design ... maha+class
https://archive.org/details/ship-design-drawings

Took me a minute, but I figured it out! Thank you!

[FFG-7]

you are welcome.