Sporting some wood for the Mighty Hood

Ian replied tonight - unfortunately I was unable to persuade him to part with the Hood. Looks like Mikey will have to buy the hull Ralph has. I can supply a spare set of turrets.

Bob

 

Although that does mean that I will have my work cut out for me in getting the Hood on the water by May, I am sure that it is a good call on Ian's part.
I look forward to getting started on her.
Thanks again to all.
Mikey

 

So Mikey,
Is it going to be one of the fiberglass hulls?

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing Hood out there, I think shes got a lot of potential under our rules.

 

Attention all Germans. Attention all Germans.
I have decided to build the Hood as she appeared in her Denmark Straits configuration. Same as my original Hood from years ago.
I am building her in this configuration in hopes that the Germans will leave the shelter of their fjords, as they will have a slight speed advantage over her.
Mikey

 

Now that I think about it. This might also alleviate some of the concerns of the captain of the Prince Of Wales.
If we are both limited to the same top speed, then I couldn't fall back on the old adage of..
I don't have to outrun the Germans, if I can outrun the Prince Of Wales.
Haha.
Mikey

 

Mikey,
Your going to build the Hood in the Denmark Straits configuration? Well, at least with her being in two pieces she will be easier to haul.

 

Bobo. Too funny.
I was refering to her configuration before the battle started. Not after it was finished.
Mikey

 

My bad. Sorry Mikey.

 

The Hood hull is boxed up and ready to be shipped. I should have it by next week.
I have been getting the stuff together for the build, so I should be able to make some pretty good progress early in Jan.
Mikey

 

Mikey,
I donated my set of spare Hood turrets - Ralph picked them up a week ago.

Bob

 

Thanks Bob.
I really appreciate that.
In fact, I want to express my thanks to all that are helping this project along.

I also have a question for you Bob.
How did you have your Hood set up in the past?
And if you were building the Hood this time around, how would you set her up for the Denmark Straits battle? And why?
Thanks again.
Mikey

 

I'm also "Sporting some wood for the Mighty Hood."
Bismarck should hit the water at the end of January if the water is not solid.

 

History will not repeat itself this time. Bismarck is going DOWN.

 

The Hood thing will, the last part of the battle will not.

 

Mikey,
I had Hood set up with a 180 degree rotating sidemount in Y turret, sidemounts trained out at 45 degrees in A & B turrets and dual stern guns in X turret, plus 1 pump. All 5 cannons were 1.0 unit under IRCWCC rules, giving Hood 6 units.

It's difficult to say how Hood would have performed because it was used in battle (1:1) only twice and had gun faults both times. I concluded the dual stern guns weren't useful due to the large turning circle, but I didn't install a 50% larger rudder as allowed after an IRCWCC rule change. I thought all 3 sidemounts would have been fine if they'd worked reliably.

For Treaty I'd install the 3 sidemounts as they were in my model, with the aft one rotating, but increase the front sidemounts to 1.5 units each. I don't think a 75 rd coil magazine will fit in Y turret so that leaves another full unit for a BB cannon or second pump. If used for a 4th cannon I'd put it in X turret as a stern gun. You'll only get to use it if you're crossing someone's bow and shooting at it after passing (my favorite cruiser technique).

The rotating system was compicated to build, using gears and two parallel shafts, one being the pivot for the brass turntable. For a simpler set-up you can keep the 1.5 unit bow sidemounts at 45 degrees and install two fixed guns aft. I don't have the rules in front of me but if you can have a second non-rotating side mount on one side make it Y turret. Y turret's gun is in the best position on the model. It's very close to the waterline and should get a 75 rd. straight mag. That leaves a 0.5 unit gun for the stern quadrant. That's the weakest location and should have the least ammo.

Bob

 

I've been thinking how I'd set up a Hood and what I currently like is something of a "death x". 75 rounders in both X and Y turret angled about 45 degrees. In A and B turret 50 round bow guns angled out about 35 degrees or so, maybe throw in an elevate system to control range. These guns if used creatively can be used as chase guns at long range, and the 75's aft will be the primary ship killers. A 1 unit pump would round out the ship.

 

Good setup Mike,
That would be the death of the Hood.. .. .. ..
... --- ...

 

Oh I don't think so. A 32 knot Hood could keep a 31 knot Bismarck shooting deck and there isn't much the Bis can do about it other then break away, and try to make the Hood chase.

 

You're right Mike. If Hood stays just ahead of Bismarck, say with Y turret level with her bow there's very little for Bismarck to shoot at. Hood's freebaord aft is very low and the bulge stringer is close to the deck stringer for the frist few inches of the quarterdeck. Then you have Y turret with its barrel only an inch or so above the water in great position to riddle Bismarck's bow.

Bob