Topic: HMS Illustrious 87 (Read 225701 times)

SailorGreg · « **Reply #100 on:** April 24, 2015, 10:06:14 pm »

You might also find this handy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=369&v=BTQm-y6OP_E

The first part is pretty bland, but start around 6.15 to see plank bending without water, hot or cold.

Greg

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #101 on:** April 25, 2015, 01:32:22 pm »

Question, does anyone know what type of vehicle was used to move the aircraft about on the flight deck and below deck in the hanger in the 1939-1942 period on RN aircraft carriers. I have been told they may have used David Brown tractors or was it just by the men on the flight deck. Also would like to see some photos if anyone has any.

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #102 on:** April 25, 2015, 01:34:47 pm »

Thanks John and Ian, will read with great interest and watch the video and hope I will add to my knowledge base. As this is the very first plank on frame and at such a size I want to ensure I get it correct. Thanks again for everyones help.

Netleyned · « **Reply #103 on:** April 25, 2015, 02:39:23 pm »

Someone will undoubtly correct me but I think the first flight deck tractors
appeared in 1944.
Bit like an old dodgem car.

Ned

warspite · « **Reply #104 on:** April 25, 2015, 03:06:57 pm »

Not sure but just entered UK flight deck tractors and hannats (see link - hope it works) has a 1940 item 2nd one down, will still look, apparently a site stated that they use willeys jeeps on US vessels

http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?manufacturer_id=362488

or put UK RN Flight deck tractors and there is a blog about an F4 Models for a vehicle in late 50's to 60's

Netleyned · « **Reply #105 on:** April 25, 2015, 03:28:00 pm »

That is the one that appeared in 1944.
In the early 1960's there were a couple of these stuck in
a corner of a hangar at RNAS Worthy Down near Winchester.
Where they went when WD closed and everything moved to Lee on Solent
Is anyone's guess.
Probably scrapped.

Ned

warspite · « **Reply #106 on:** April 25, 2015, 03:36:51 pm »

Ok - from what I can tell from
http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/402/An-Illustrious-Hero.aspx
When in Ceylon they used an elephant when on shore, lol

but carry on a bit and it shows illustrious in dock Australia, just after that there is a picture showing a corsair taking off, just behind the forward right side pom pom which is just after the two turrets, it shows the manual crane (this is also shown in an earlier photo) sat between the pom pom and the photo vantage point, just in front of the pom pom is the little 1940's tractor shown on Hannats site, there is a aircraft handler watching the take off and another looking up at the photographer behind him, to their right and further forward is the front of what looks like two little trucks with sacks on the back with a sack truck to the right.

As there is no date I can only presume this was in 1945

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #107 on:** April 26, 2015, 02:52:05 pm »

Thanks guys, this information has been a great help. I was nearly sent off in the wrong direction and now back on track. I also noticed that there was two other types of deck tractors parked next to each other with some sort of frame on the back but the steering wheels are clear to see maybe they are the same type of vehicle as in the foreground but with something attached for deck work. The front nose area is very square so maybe note the same vehicle. But thanks for the pointers and also some nice clear photos of Lust bow in drydock, will help to shape my effort.

Paul

ballastanksian · « **Reply #108 on:** April 27, 2015, 11:44:30 am »

Thanks to Bluebird for putting those links to his plank on frame tutorials. They give me more confidence to have a go some time next year:O)

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #109 on:** April 27, 2015, 11:59:59 am »

These seem to have been on board ship when HMS Illustrious was in the Far East, that period was 1944/45 so not sure if they were part of the ships equipment around 1940/42 which is the area I am building her.

warspite · « **Reply #110 on:** April 27, 2015, 01:19:28 pm »

I didn't post the pictures as I do not have copyright

, but that's the ones

.

Netleyned · « **Reply #111 on:** April 27, 2015, 03:52:38 pm »

The earliest mention I can find for the tractors was 1944.
The flight deck crane may have been around a tad earlier..
Most crash on deck writeoffs were normally pushed over the
side by the aircraft handlers or chockheads as they were known..

Ned

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #112 on:** April 27, 2015, 04:20:10 pm »

I have been informed that the crane is Ransome and Repair crane made in Ipswich and the type numbers could be 4120,4142 or 4140. It looks like the tug seen in the photo came on board around the 1944/45 as the US planes where a lot heavier and need a mechanical tug to move them. So Lusty will be having just the Ransome crane on her flight deck.

ballastanksian · « **Reply #113 on:** April 27, 2015, 08:50:08 pm »

I found an image on Wiki showing Lusty supposedly taken in 1942. I cannot discern the 'thing' parked some distance infront of the island as the image is too small. I cannot say if it is a tug or trailer.

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #114 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:50:36 am »

Hi Ian, I think the photo you was looking at is the Tractor photo (second one) I posted above blown up and cropped to see what was there. But do appreciate your research into this subject.

Paul.

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #115 on:** April 28, 2015, 02:04:21 pm »

Here is a good close up view of the Ransome and Repair crane (Jumbo)

radiojoe · « **Reply #116 on:** April 28, 2015, 03:08:22 pm »

Just a small correction Paul, that should be Ransome and RAPIER not repair

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #117 on:** April 28, 2015, 04:16:11 pm »

Thanks Joe, need to replace the milk bottle tops again.

ballastanksian · « **Reply #118 on:** April 28, 2015, 09:19:37 pm »

No worries paul. Infact, I am sure I have seen that dodgem style tractor in footage or a film involving a factory. Unles Essex and Nick's Penguins have got into my brain, I think it might be a tug for towing trolleys with goods etc, converted to tow aircraft.

If I am gibbering, do please correct me.

TTFN Ian:O)

DavieTait · « **Reply #119 on:** April 29, 2015, 07:48:02 pm »

Photo I've just seen of Lusty in 1941 of her pom-poms

ballastanksian · « **Reply #120 on:** April 29, 2015, 11:47:26 pm »

Those mounts never fail to impress me!

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #121 on:** April 30, 2015, 11:58:50 pm »

Thanks Davie,

Here are mine, one I made last year when I built the island, which I am still working on. The No 2 pom pom has to be set down into the front of the island and had a walkway and magazine lockers stored all around this unit.

The link to view the first part of my build is here as these photos have not been published on here.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/92998762@N02/sets/72157640833731444/

Enjoy Davie.

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #122 on:** May 01, 2015, 03:54:35 pm »

Little more work done to the stern. Need to find a way to make a nice even curve for the stern that was correct and not just place a solid bit of wood and shape. So I copied the ship lines for the decks and then like the ship frames cut them out and made template of the decks and then placing them on the frame cut as necessary and position as per the ship plans. Worked perfectly, and all I have to do now is insert cut sections of balsa wood and bond in place. then rub down to the edge of the deck templates.

The bow is a different problem thats next.

ballastanksian · « **Reply #123 on:** May 01, 2015, 09:51:41 pm »

You will get there Paul. Mind you, you will be a stronger person mentally once the ends are complete

Paul Swainson · « **Reply #124 on:** May 10, 2015, 03:03:46 pm »

Well the stern section is now ready to be shaped after all the deck sections have been installed and filled with balsa wood. So just have to cut off the excess wood once the glue has dried then rub down to gain the shape. (Photos to follow).But here is a question for some advise. With the bow I have to create the shape from blocks of balsa. Is there any way I can mirror the shape of the bow to this block wood sections to gain the shape and polish to a final finish. I am worried that I fail to make the shape from drawings. Advise please?

Here are the photos of the stern section. I have still to finally rub down once the planking has been done to marry up the thickness of the planks to the stern section. The bow is as said before another problem. Paul

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Author Topic: HMS Illustrious 87 (Read 225701 times)