I have seen various builds of the Belfast with different amounts of wood decking full wood no wood and part wood. please, can anyone tell me which is appropriate for what year (or at all) . i know she was re- commissioned around 1942 and this is my preferred era. i have the Airfix 1/600 kit if this helps.
I have referred to my copy of “The Cruiser Belfast-Anatomy of the Ship” and I quote “Deck planking of Borneo white hardwood was used to cover part of the forecastle deck abaft the cable holders and the upper deck where exposed to the weather”. Drawings and pictures are not very helpful, but the wooden covering appears to start in front of the breakwater. I would expect decks in vicinity of B and X turrets to be included .! note that the one picture showing the catapult on the upper deck doesn’t make it obvious the deck is wooden. It’s entirely possible that in war time the deck was painted over for camouflage purposes. As Airfix had acess to Belfast when they produded the kit , I would go with what they indicate.
I haven’t visited the ship so I don’t have first knowledge. The wood covering was for insulation , not a main structure…
thanks very much, much appreciated.
I wouldn’t rely too much on what Belfast looks like today. She is currently painted as she appeared in WWII but her overall appearance is as she was decommissioned, two very different periods. Her decks might not be as they were during the war, but I am in no way sure. I would stick to what various references might show.
Bill
It’s a pain. Based on photo evidence I’ve seen, color wasn’t invented until the fifties…
In my experience with aircraft esp., restorations are not reliable as a matter of fact. It all depends on who was in control, and what they knew and cared about.
Also a lot of the time they rely on volunteers, donations, including hardware and paint, and generally do their best but have to make compromises.
For good examples of what not to do, take a look online at the Aberdeen tanks that have been relocated to Fort Hood.
Did the Aberdeen tanks go to Ft Hood or Ft Lee? I read that the museum was relocating to Ft Lee in Virginia.