Calling all Wickes-class & Clemson-class "Four-Piper" fans

[raven316]

This is really some good stuff. Does anyone know how some of these ships were converted to ocean patrol vessels?

Check here for some info

http://www.destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/apd.html

[Tracy White]

? They were destroyers. They already were ocean patrol vessels. Could you be a bit more specific?

[raven316]

? They were destroyers. They already were ocean patrol vessels. Could you be a bit more specific?

I guess I assumed he knew that, my mistake.

[Sr. Gopher]

Yeah, I was just thinking about that. I saw somewhere, I forgot where though, that some of these destroyers had been converted to use as Ocean Patrol Vessels. I guess that they were talking about the ones brought out of mothballs for patrols. Never mind about the idea, and thank you all for helping.

[raven316]

Yeah, I was just thinking about that. I saw somewhere, I forgot where though, that some of these destroyers had been converted to use as Ocean Patrol Vessels. I guess that they were talking about the ones brought out of mothballs for patrols. Never mind about the idea, and thank you all for helping.

I'm not sure what you mean "Ocean Patrol Vessels " My dad was on the USS Crosby DD-164/APD17 both before and after conversion and throughout the entire Pacific War. These "High Speed Transports" pulled all kinds of duty including convoy screening, troop transport and landings, fire support, and "other duties as assigned".

[Sr. Gopher]

Weren't APDs the ultimate in versitility? Other than Aircraft handling anyway. Then we get to the Omahas.

[raven316]

Weren't APDs the ultimate in versitility? Other than Aircraft handling anyway. Then we get to the Omahas.

Fast,maneuverable, a bit of firepower, room, small medical facility . . .they were pretty good. Damn shame not one of them was kept around after the war.

[Sr. Gopher]

That is a big shame. But, the older APDs would have been scrapped just as soon as the regular DDs were. Also, with the advent of the Helo, why bother keeping that around?

[raven316]

That is a big shame. But, the older APDs would have been scrapped just as soon as the regular DDs were. Also, with the advent of the Helo, why bother keeping that around?

You may want to order both the Comic book and The Family saga. The comic book is a great explanation of the workings of a flushdecker and the Saga is a wonderful history of the ships and it tell where some artifacts are located.

http://www.fourpiperdestroyer.org/html/store.htm

[Sr. Gopher]

I know it's REALLY hard to believe, but even the $10 comic is too pricey for me. I only get holidays and birthdays - with neither budget going over $150. This is mostly why I look for Skywave's sets.

[Sr. Gopher]

I know it's REALLY hard to believe, but even the $10 comic is too pricey for me. I only get holidays and birthdays - with neither budget going over $150. This is mostly why I look for Skywave's sets.

But, there is that time when one can go over budget. Apparently, there are acceptions to my budget, which means I can get the WSW Borie kit. I'm thinking of converting it to a DMS ship. Does anyone here know what changes, besides the depth charges, torpedoes, and No. 4 stack the DMSs underwent? Please be paitent with me, as this would be my first scratchbuild of any kind to a ship.

[Wrench]

May I suggest the Squadron publication on Flush Deck destroyers. Also, Southard in Navsource has multiple refit pictures.

[melw44]

I was looking for info on the Wickes class of ships and found this forum.
I would like to say that Willies model looks fantastic!
I have the Revell 1:240 HMS Campbeltown model in hand. I am interested in building it as the DD163 USS Walker.
Some info here,
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-u ... /dd163.htm
The reason for this ship is that she is the main ship in the series, The Destroyermen By Taylor Anderson.
The authors page.
http://www.taylorandersonauthor.com/
The books start out with the ships being chased out of the Philippines by the Japanese.
The author says in the first book that he used the Walker because she did not see any memorable action in WW1 or WW2.
Well I liked the books and thought a model might be fun. As the ship as described in the book may or may not be accurate to the real Walker there is some amount of leeway in how I can build the model.
I revived a reply to a post on the authors web page saying he also looked at the USS Pope for some of the descriptions of the Walker.
I keep getting off on tangents in trying to find more info about these ships. I did some very interesting reading about torpedo problems at the start of the war. This lead me to read up on torpedo history and propulsion. Well you get the idea.
I have been trying to find the AOTS but none have come to light at a price I can afford at the this time.
Willie once again you model is amazing. I will be looking at many of the photos to help in my build.
Sorry for being so long winded!
Mel W.

[Willie]

Willie once again you model is amazing. I will be looking at many of the photos to help in my build

Hi there Mel,

Thanks for your kind remarks about my humble job, and glad that what I have done can be of some use for you too.
Reg. the Anatomy of the ship HMS CAMPBELTOWN, it is definitely a must, if pou want to build a 4-stacker. You can find it but very cheap in Ebay . Take a look :

http://cgi.ebay.com/DESTROYER-CAMPBELTO ... 3a5a2a189a

http://cgi.ebay.com/Destroyer-Campbelto ... 58875301ae

And please feel free to ask for any info that you may need.
Very best regards from Spain,

Willie.

[melw44]

Thanks for the links. I will give them a look.
I have been cleaning up the hull and test fitting the deck. I see that this kit has quite a loose interruption of scale.
In looking at the photos of four stackers I have found on the net the deck that is supposed to be flush is not on the model.
See the attached photo.
Willie it looks like you sanded off the edge of the hull as well as the extra raised lines on the deck is that true?
The list of out of scale bits on this model is long.
Deck Guns!
Doors.
Ships wheel.
Better stop now and decide how far I want to go in changing it.
I think I will live with the top of the hull and trim the deck to raise it up to flush.
Thanks for looking.
Mel W.

[Willie]

Willie it looks like you sanded off the edge of the hull as well as the extra raised lines on the deck is that true? The list of out of scale bits on this model is long.

Hi Mel,

Yes I did, as it is a blunder, not a mistake, in this model. The 4-Stackers had steel decks, so all the raised lines on deck have to be sanded. Actually I omitted all the details on deck, made them completely flat and scartch-built all the rest.
The edge of the hull was non-existant too, and you are right, all the minor details have to be scratch-built as well.

Good luck in your construction, and very best regards,

Willie.

[raven316]

Does anyone know where there are pictures of the inside of either 4 stackers or APD's? I have seen some cutaways of the entire ship but no below deck images.

[melw44]

Well I ordered a copy of Anatomy of the ship HMS CAMPBELTOWN. Thanks Willie for the link.
I hate waiting!
Mel W.

[Willie]

Well I ordered a copy of Anatomy of the ship HMS CAMPBELTOWN. Thanks Willie for the link.

Hi there Mel,

You will like this book. It is not the best of the Anatomy of the ship series, but it is a must if you want to build a 4-piper, no doubt whatsoever.

Very best regards,

Willie.

[melw44]

I have the book in hand. It is very good. Lots of great drawings.
I will be reading and studying it now.

As for photos of the in side of the four stackers I have not found any. None in the book.
Mel W.