Topic: Help with WW2 German Destroyer (Read 12742 times)

T888 · « **on:** October 27, 2019, 09:25:11 pm »

Gents,
A friend is building a WW2 German destroyer and has a picture of the aft funnel that shows what looking bells! Can any one advise what they are ?

raflaunches · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2019, 09:45:34 pm »

I thought I had but alas no, but I have a proper photo of the items from German Destroyers by Robert Brown which may help further in your inquiry.

T888 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2019, 05:38:33 am »

Hi Nick
Thanks I’ve seen this picture as well, it just does not make any sense as they look like bells, but why would the have bell on the funnels

mrlownotes · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2019, 06:34:25 am »

Those bells look like they may have glass lenses under the 'bell'.
Are they lamps? I'm guessing at array of lamps for signalling?

raflaunches · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2019, 07:52:12 am »

A third option, could they be klaxons?

It seems odd as if you go with any of the three theories so far- bells, lights, or klaxons- why would you need so many in one place especially laid out in that particular way?

I could understand one, two or three items together but when you see that many it does make you wonder are we thinking too much inside the box (so to say) or too far out of the box? It’ll end up being something completely normal that no one would think of!

TailUK · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2019, 08:41:19 am »

Smoke screen generators? Are they on both sides of the funnel?

T888 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2019, 09:18:35 am »

Thanks gents

Photos I’ve seen does show these on both side of the funnel, but only fitted to the aft funnel. Smoke generator seem more likely that bells or klaxons.

raflaunches · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2019, 09:35:07 am »

Sounds logical to me too

Been reading up on the subject and I’m not 100% sure if they are smoke generators or not as according to several sources the main methods of smoke generating were via the boiler room or smoke canisters at the stern using chemical generators (usually acid of some kind sprayed over another chemical) but it was dangerous due to the toxicity.

T888 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2019, 10:42:22 am »

Good point, the other item to say its not smoke generators, is the cables shown in both pictures.

Just don’t know what they are.

TailUK · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2019, 10:46:19 am »

Quote from: T888 on October 28, 2019, 10:42:22 am

Good point, the other item to say its not smoke generators, is the cables shown in both pictures.

Just don’t know what they are.

If they were Smoke generators (and I'm not saying they are!) there would be control wiring going to them as well as chemical piping.

Voice Tannoys for convoy communications?

Allnightin · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2019, 11:55:32 am »

I wonder if it is some sort of RF direction finding array probably at a radar frequency but the side of the funnel seems a strange place to mount it.

gingyer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2019, 01:08:03 pm »

I have asked on the Kriegsmarine modellers group
for You.

As soon as I get an answer will let you know

Capt Podge · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2019, 01:45:27 pm »

Could it be some sort of central manifold for fire fighting???.

Regards,
Ray.

T888 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2019, 02:44:42 pm »

Thanks Ginger.

And thanks to all that have replied and tried to helped , it’s appreciated

Netleyned · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2019, 03:11:24 pm »

Chemical smoke would stain the
funnel somewhat I would think.
You wouldn't want to be climbing up
there to attach the hoses.
Looks like they are electrically
connected. The mind boggles

Ned

T888 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2019, 03:17:41 pm »

Tell me about it

Netleyned · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2019, 03:32:12 pm »

A bell carillon to signify Victory
in WW2. Obviously unused and surplus
to requirements

Ned

Capt Podge · « **Reply #17 on:** October 28, 2019, 04:03:04 pm »

Those baffle plates have got me wandering - surely they are there to avoid light showing fore and aft - - which therefore suggests downward light only. So, some sort of warning, to anyone in the vicinity, of guns going to action or something like that.

(Maybe I should have had my afternoon nap after all)

Regards,
Ray.

Netleyned · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2019, 04:22:38 pm »

Noticed those Ray, Looks
like some sort of light baffle.
Down lighting would not needed
so many lamps I think.
Mind still in the boggling state.
Ned

Capt Podge · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2019, 04:31:51 pm »

Hi Ned, good point ref so many units (18 per side) maybe upper ones for fwd guns, lower ones for aft.

I'm just clutching at straws now...
Think I'll leave it at that unless I can find the definitive answer

Regards,
Ray.

mrlownotes · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2019, 04:39:13 pm »

I notice there are 4 pairs of aerials with the 'bells/lights/klingons'. Could these be part of the thingamyjig array ?
Also, if they are lights, would not the bottom row obscure the top row ?

gingyer · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2019, 07:10:07 pm »

I have asked and one of the german gents has informed me they are some sort of insulator!

I have asked him for some more details and what it is this equipment does

T888 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 28, 2019, 07:20:25 pm »

Thanks gingyer.

Capt Podge · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2019, 07:47:25 pm »

Quote from: gingyer on October 28, 2019, 07:10:07 pm

I have asked and one of the german gents has informed me they are some sort of insulator!

That was the only one of my thoughts that I didn't commit to this quiry - Doh!

Regards,
Ray.

TailUK · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2019, 08:23:42 pm »

Insulating what? Insulators that sort of size are like the ones on high tension power lines but there are no major cables going to or from them.

Having skimmed through my references, not all Kreigsmarine destroyers had these fitted.

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