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HMS Bickerton World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Bickerton

Posts 1 to 11

Hi, Being new to the forum, I posted this thread elsewhere by mistake! I'm currently making the Captain Class 'HMS Bickerton' from the Trumpeter kit of USS England in 1/350 scale. I've got the White Ensign brass and resin boats, the profile in the excellent Raven & Roberts Perspective series and a well published picture of the vessel herself shortly before being torpedoed in 1944. Is anyone out there is possession of any other information they could pass on to me? I have the ship painted and part assembled on a sea base and I'm really looking to confirm any deck detail as I am going to end up with a model where I have relied mostly on guess work. Any information would be appreciated. I have been modelling for about 40 of my 46 years on and off but ships are relatively new to me and although I love making them I can just about tell port from starboard! Jim

Jim, welcome to the forum. I think you'll find that the RN members will undoubtedly have a lot for you to check out, as this forum has great expertise at every hand, particularly when it comes to the ships of the Royal Navy. My meager contribution would be to mention that Norman Friedman's book "Destroyers: a Design History," has a chapter devoted to the development of the destroyer escort classes built in the US, including those transferred to allied nations. Friedman is "the" expert on the ship design end of the naval history spectrum, and the photos included in the book are useful. Two other sources of note: "The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War" by Donald Collingwood. published by Leo Cooper (1998), ISBN 085052 615 9. "The Buckley-Class Destroyer Escorts" by Bruce Hampton Franklin, published by Chatham Publishing (1999), ISBN 086176118X. There is also already a post in this forum on your ship, If you type the name (minus "HMS") in the search bar, it'll pop up! Being a long-time modeler myself (almost exclusively ships) I know it takes a lot of work to find those details, written or photographic that help make a model "just right." I just recently finished a 1/350 USS Missouri in wartime configuration, and had all the drawings, photos, etc. I could get my hands on, and shortly after placing my model proudly in its display case, found a photo showing I had placed the after signal flag "bags" incorrectly. Oh well! :) Only you and I know! Good luck with the model, and keep and eye on your post, as I expect you will be receiving a lot of help soon! Regards,

Don, Thanks very much for your informative and welcoming message. I will check out those book titles and try and locate some cheap copies. (I have two young kids so the budget covers them first!) I wonder if you could help me on a query regarding the kit? As I implied in my original post, I am relatively ignorant in most things nautical and every project is an enjoyable learning curve. On the USS England's rear superstructure and encasing the rear gun position Trumpeter have moulded a considerable amount of what look like little letter 'T' s . Do you know, or can you guess what these are? I haven't a clue and I haven't been able to spot them on the limited picture references that I have. I am wondering if they are relevant to the Royal Navy fit and if I should remove them, even though they are interest to this area. Regards Jim

Jim, I know how that budgeting goes! Raised a couple of lads meself, and trained them early on how to research and buy books for the old man on birhtdays, father's day, etc. :) Nothing like well-rounded and educated lads to carry on one's legacy! Did a quick check of the meager sources I have on DE's and found no photo or line drawing with the fittings you mentioned. If those "T" shaped items are laying flat on deck, they may be tread plates for the crew's safety, if vertical, maybe the round solid-metal "gun tub" surrounding the gun was replaced by a lighter weight deck railing type of fitting. Unfortunately, those are guesses, not backed by photographic evidence! In any case, good luck with the model. When you have it proudly on display, you should post a photo or two in our modeling thread... Regards,

Hi Jim, and welcome to the forum. Both books that Don refers to are available from your local library system. If your brnch hasn't got them, ask them to order them for you, that way no outlay other than shoe leather. Dave H

The T-shaped objects (post #3) are probably intended to represent depth charge arbors - although I'm not sure whether the throwers fitted on BICKERTON were ones that required these. See, for example, [url]http://www.hnsa.org/doc/destroyer/depthprojector/index.htm[/url]. Tim

Hi Tim Thanks for info, they look exactly like the impulse catridges in the attachment. Thats great, I was keen to keep them as they add a bit of interest to the area. I will post some photos when I get a chance to confirm it. Thanks again Jim

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;168084]Hi Jim, and welcome to the forum. Both books that Don refers to are available from your local library system. If your brnch hasn't got them, ask them to order them for you, that way no outlay other than shoe leather. Dave H[/QUOTE] Thanks Dave, I have tried to access the library system on line but need a pin. I will go down there Monday and sort it!

[QUOTE=Don Boyer;168076]Jim, I know how that budgeting goes! Raised a couple of lads meself, and trained them early on how to research and buy books for the old man on birhtdays, father's day, etc. :) Nothing like well-rounded and educated lads to carry on one's legacy! Did a quick check of the meager sources I have on DE's and found no photo or line drawing with the fittings you mentioned. If those "T" shaped items are laying flat on deck, they may be tread plates for the crew's safety, if vertical, maybe the round solid-metal "gun tub" surrounding the gun was replaced by a lighter weight deck railing type of fitting. Unfortunately, those are guesses, not backed by photographic evidence! In any case, good luck with the model. When you have it proudly on display, you should post a photo or two in our modeling thread... Regards,[/QUOTE] Hi Don I think Tim may have hit the nail on the head but thanks Don I will post pictures nearer completion for you to look at. I'm sure once you see them you will know. Regards Jim

Now that I know what "T-shaped" refers to, I agree with Tim. I was thinking small fittings. And Friedman's book has photos supporting Tim's conclusions as well. Looking forward to seeing your final product "at sea!" Regards,

Hi all! Thanks to Dave for his advice. I now have both books on order from the local library. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Regards Jim

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