Does anybody know a good reference for the rigging of WWII warships? Most sailing ship models come with rigging diagrams but a lot of the WWII models don’t. I guess I am trying to figure out what lines, stays, etc were typical for destroyers, cruisers, battleships, etc during WWII.
Which ship?
The Floating Drydock has several excellent plan eBooks which provide a lot of good information on several classes of US ships, including: IOWA, GATO/BALAO, FLETCHER, SUMNER/GEARING, BUCKLEY, CANNON/EDSALL, and ADMIRABLE. Halyard, mast stays, and radio antenna plans are provided (where applicable).
Yes, each ship type, and even individual ships had their own rigging plan, which often would change as the ship was modified, new technology arrived, etc. The best source for any particular ship you may be working on is to get as many photographs as possible and examine them closely…