Greetings to All...!

Does anyone have information regarding the size and shape of the "Oropesa Float" used on RN Minesweeping Trawlers in WWII?

Thanks...!

Paul.

Hello, Paul, and Welcome to Model Shipwrights!

Oropesa, you ask? Yessir, here's a few links giving information on this mine-sweeping technique. . .hope these help a bit!

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

And a couple photos, as well. . .







Happy hunting, and hope to see more of you at the site, mate!
~Gunny

Hi Gunny,

Thanks for the links, very interesting.#

Al

Thanks for the Great Links, Gunny! But there's one thing that still has me hornswoggled (2, actually) --

...What was the actual "length" of the Body of the float (and max diameter)? Otter and kite measurements would also come in handy, as I'm trying to duplicate all this gear in 1/24 scale.

....Some WWII photos show what appear to be two types of float on the same ship --one similar to the "Size I" in the .pdf, and the other longer and more "cigar shaped". Any idea what this second type of float was all about?

The information on what the float looked like and how it was rigged up is invaluable to me! As I served on Canadian Destroyers, we were well equipped to hunt Submarines, but not to sweep mines, so my knowledge of minesweeping is very reudimentary: for all I know they used a broom! :-)

And thanks for the Welcome-- you guys will be ssing more of me!

Ok, Paul, let's see what we can do about this. . .

Take a look at these drawings, there are some measurements and other info that you may find useful as well

Click me!

But for the life of me, I can't find a physical dimension of the paravanes! I'm still looking, though!

I've been looking for this info myself...for Weeks! On the Web, in my magazines, any place I can think of....(Too bad the one that washed up "disintegrated"...)

My best guess on the "Size I" so far is 9 feet long. You;d think something like this would be easy to find out.....

But if it was "easy", I probably wouldn't be interested....

Seriously, thanks for all your help! Haven't been this confused since RCN boot camp.....

I think the Lambert plans for the Flower Class Corvette Agassiz by McKay & (someone) has scale plans for this ... I cannot check them tonite ...

John

OK Paul, here's an Orepesa SITREP!

No actual measurements from my end, yet, BUT, here is an excellent photo sent to me by a mate that shows a physical comparison of the bugger to a human. . .



Not givin' up yet, Bro!
~Gunny

In his "Warship Perspectives" book on corvettes, John L. has a drawing of the float and the otters. He lists the float as 15' 3" overall and 3' 0" in diameter. McKay and Harland's AOTS AGASSIZ also has drawings of this equipment, as well as the davits.

Al Ross

Thanks, Al, for those measurements -- it's bigger than I thought it was, (Any idea of the dimensions of the otter/kite?)

In John's measurements re "Length Overall" ---does the "fin" below the float extend past the body of the float to any great extent? Or does it sit directly below the body?

I've seen pictures and drawings that show both styles.....If you can clarify that for me, it would be very much appreciated....!

And Gunny -- Many thanks for getting the picture(s) for me!

First off. Paul welcome to the site hope you enjoy your stay.

Second, Paul I can't help with your question but its been an education reading the links that Gunny has posted.

Thanks Gunny.

Ciao
Luciano

Hey Paul!

More Tech info, mate, as follows. . .

"Equipment dimensions as follows:

Size 4 Float - Length: 11'0", Max Dia: 22"
Size 4 Muliplane kite - Length: 46.5", Width: 44", Depth: 7"
(Kites were rigged as either an otter or depressor)

References: Department of the Navy "SHIPS 9", 15 JUN 19945
Department of the Navy "NAVSHIPS 250-620-30"

Keep Modeling!
~Gunny

Thanks for the info, Gunny....You ARE amazing !! This will certainly help....

There seems to be a Mk 1, a Mk 3 and a MK 4 pattern fof sweep gear. The "floats" seem to range between 9 and 15 feet in length.

Now, just to give you an idea of what I'm wrestling with at the moment -- e Model Boats (the magazine) describes the Round Table Class WWII minesweeper as using the Mk 3 Wire Sweep Set-up, --- giving separate pattern numbers for kite, otter and float. ......Which you would think would be helpful.

BUT a Web Search reveals that the Mk 3 wire sweep wan't developed until the 1950's. This info was from a UK Site. ...!

There also seems to be a difference between Royal Navy Sweep Gear and US Navy sweep gear. Now if that doesn't muddy the waters I don't know what does! I can't believe it's this much trouble to find out what gear RN Trawlers carried in WWII...!

I just may have to "fake it" ! All I absolutely know for sure is that float is definitely smaller than my ship's boat, which is 18' long.....

Thank you very, very much for all the assistance!

Paul.

Hey, no problem, Paul!

You've definitely got a very interesting project planned, and like you have said, there's not a whole lot of info available without really digging for it. . .

I wish you the best of luck, mate, and do keep us posted on your endeavor, and if I get anything else, I'll be sure to add it to the mix!
~Gunny