OK, let's delve ito the next murky issue and that is the screw shroud. Were these shrouds standard upon launching or were they fitted later down the road? I know these are suppose to be classified, but I'm curious if the Topeka would have been launched with one or was it later added after a re-fit. Ditto for the counter measures launchers on the stern.....

Ok, you submariners, we know you're here, so we look to you for the information.

*BUMP*

Hi Steve,
I believe most boats were launched with a screw. Shroud , if installed,was fitted later. Some of the last boats may have been launched with a shroud. You're not going to find any photos because it is a classified area since it has a big effects on sound characteristics of the boat. Bottom line, use a shroud or a screw -no one except a few of us bubbleheads will know if you're right or wrong and we aint talking (silent service and all that). I have no info on stern countermeasure launchers.
v/r,
Cob

Like the COB said, you're pretty much on your own on both these items. If you're doing like I am, and building a specific boat for a former or current crewmember, they can probably tell you whether their boat had either or both the shroud type prop as well as the countermeasure launchers.

I can say for sure that Hampton, Columbus and Boise did have both the shroud and launchers, but don't know for certain about others. It may be something that is part of the work that gets done as boats go into the yard with the intention that eventually all boats get fitted out that way, don't know.

And as the COB said, the probablity that anyone is going to look at your model and tell you it's wrong is pretty low.

Tom

The ducted prop was not a simple add-on. The screw had to be designed for that application. If your ship had one, then I'd look for specific pics. Which boat are you doing, again? I think Jane's All the World's Warship has a rundown on that kind of thing. Anyone have a copy? Mine is alas 2 hours away right now.

Another thing is, a few boats had "dihedrals" built onto their stern gear, kind of stern planes, but non-moveable, and at a 45 degree angle (going downwards). The dihedrals helped fight rolling moments, and had countermeasures pods on the ends. I remember reading that 2 ships got small stern-firing torps (non-reloadable of course) in the dihedral pods. Called them "the artful dodger". Idea was you could fire a snap shot to the stern if someone got ya from that direction, whilst you were evading their torpedo.

I'd be interested to see if "Jane's" has that data. The "Ships and Aircraft of the US Navy" is pretty extensive but doesn't mention that much info. It would be great to share if Jane's has that data.

As I mentioned, because between them my son and his best friend had extensive time on Hampton, Boise and Columbus, I know that all of them had both the shroud style prop and the dihedrals with the countermeasure pods on the ends. Don't know about any other boats for sure.

Tom

I'm building the Topeka, Clark. I think I'll just leave the shroud off. I know nobody outside of here will know the difference, but it's sort of a hang up on my part. I know it's not right and you guys know it's not right...and that's what bothers me. I did build the countermeasures launchers by using Tom's sub as a template. I think they're about the right size and extend about the right distance.

Thanks everyone

Steve