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[tonyH]

I'm into the final details of a build of a US Navy Patrol Craft Sweeper which was a sweeper in name only and was generally used for coastal anti sub work. The array of "dimples" on the front of the bridge appeared on several, instead of the more common ship's bell. They're quite prominent and I could use them but I've no idea what they could be. Deck lights are a possible but there are rectangular ones there as well? Action gongs? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tony

[Beagle1831]

First thought was US style steel helmets ready for the gun crews to use at action stations? Think you can make out the slight peak at the front? Seems odd to keep them outside though. The RN had boxes of helmets kept near the guns.

[Martin (Admin)]

 Mushroom type vents?

[ScottW]

First thought was US style steel helmets ready for the gun crews to use at action stations?

After looking at several other ships of the type I would go with that for the round ones.
A number of PCS photos here, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/01idx.htm


And it appears to be specific locations to each boat as desired by crew. Note helmets between guys standing just before ship side dips down http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207143001.jpg
This 1947 one also has a bell located there, http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/111944603.jpg

The 3 or 4 rectangular boxes appear in a number of photos to have window wipers arising from them. Sometimes above portholes, sometimes below ...
Above, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207143001.jpg
Another above, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207138802.jpg

This one has 3 what I'm going to call helmets hanging up behind midships 20mm and window wiper boxes below windows, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207137601.jpg
Same location has a whole bunch of things there on this one, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207141901.jpg


Here in 1946, no mystery bumps, but both have bells and one has life ring each side of bell, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207138802.jpg
Here's number 203 with wiper boxes above windows and different life ring locations from the other one which had life rings on superstructure front, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207146401.jpg


Window wipers show pretty well on this one, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1207138603.jpg

[canabus]

Hi All
If you resize the smaller picture you can see the dimples are helmets .


Canabus

[tonyH]

Thanks all for that. I hadn't even thought of helmets but with hindsight they do certainly match up with the near armaments. It all seemed too "shipshape" to be true!Also, the wiper boxes and on one of the pics the location of the tannoy.The PCS range seems to have been a range of variants, rather than a reasonably defineable model, so I've allowed myself an element of " if it looks right it could easily be right". For example, the mast lights seem to carry the 3 green lights for minesweeping without any sweeping gear, so it's all a gamble but.............!
So thanks again and, of course, there may be more to come!
Tony

[Akira]

Helmets, definitely, for the Hedgehog crew. Well placed between Hedghog load ready boxes. The USN also hung helmets inside of gun tubs like the one after. Larger ships had verticle racks that held helmets stacked inside one another, often on the open bridges.

[ScottW]

This was fun. 

[tonyH]

Hi, I suppose that's another bit for the casting list! Along with the 40mm clips to go round the tub! 

[Akira]

Someone must be 3D print 40mm clips....somewhere. If not, they should be.....

[tonyH]

Hi Akira,
Shapeways do a set https://www.shapeways.com/product/RUDLGMCHV/bofors-gun-tub-ammo-set-1-48?optionId=62720677&li=marketplace which is what I'll probably use in fact. That said, I enjoy casting in p/u and I'm building up a "final" list, including the helmets.My biggest problem is the crew. I can get plenty sets of sailors in fatigues, soft hats or bone domes or even "caller" helmets and sets of officers in hard or soft caps or helmets but I only need a couple of officers so what I need is a mixed set of about a dozen. That seems to be the missing link so I may have to make a couple of generic ones and then re-cast in various combinations of arm and leg poses.
All part of the fun Eh! Scott
Tony

[tassie48]

Tony hi buddy shapeways have tons of good quality 48 USN crew figures the maker is Panzertanks set 0605,0808, 42204, kapok set officers,combat set 2_3, bofors sets, sorry forgot the codes but you should find them this guy makes a lot of crew figures USN RN Merchant Navy etc ,regards tassie48

[tonyH]

Hi Tassie,
Yup, Panzer etc. do plenty of figures and I would use them but it's a potentially expensive way of getting a mix of poses and ranks for a small vessel. So if I need, for example, 1 officer, 1 Chief and 10 crew, I could end up spending 200 NZ dollars on 4 or 5 sets, including the postage, chucking a fair few and still having to do a fair amount of "fettling".I'd rather spend 15 NZ dollars on 100 unpainted Chinese 'O' gauge figures on Amazon and carry out major surgery!
All good fun!
Tony

[Akira]

I just ran across this image of the USS Chicago during WW-2. It is a great photo, but what struck me was the ventilator in the middle of the photo. The USN put helmets everywhere!

[tonyH]

Nah! It's a xylophone!
 

[Akira]

Tony, You may be right! I did not pay attention to the conductor!