_GOTOBOTTOM
Modeling in General: Advice on...
Need some general advice? Place it here.
attack transports
dioman13
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Member Since: August 19, 2007
entire network: 2,184 Posts
KitMaker Network: 356 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 05:25 AM UTC
Were the fast attack transports used by the U.S. Navy in W.W.2 to transport the Marines in the early pacific campaings vintage W.W.1 4 stack destroyers and is there a styrene kit available with what ever modifications made available. Also what type of landing craft would have been used.
YellowHammer
#513
Visit this Community
Alabama, United States
Member Since: March 28, 2006
entire network: 554 Posts
KitMaker Network: 129 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 07:24 AM UTC
Hi Bob,
Here is some info concerning the APDs (fast transports) taken from Squadron/Signal Publications #19 US Flush Deck Destroyers in Action:
The first APDs were converted from Caldwell, Clemson and Wickes class flush deck destroyers (four pipers). The two forward boilers and stacks and all torpedo tubes were removed and four LCVP, LCP(L), or LCP(R) (two each side) were added. A total of 36 were converted between 1938 and 1942. There is a color plate on page 25 showing the USS McKean (APD-5, ex DD-90) which was converted in 1940. The McKean is shown in Measure 31-15T for Pacific opertions in 1943. This scheme consisted of Ocean Green (approx. FS34227) and Navy Green (approx. FS34128). More detailed info is provided starting on page 47. I strongly recommend the book as it discusses numerous paint schemes and individual changes to many of the ships.

I have no idea if there are styrene kits available. Some of the APDs mentioned in the book include the McKean, Ward, Manley, Stringham, Brooks, Greene and Tattnal if you want to try searching the web.

Good luck and be sure to post pictures when you start your build.

John



dioman13
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Member Since: August 19, 2007
entire network: 2,184 Posts
KitMaker Network: 356 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 06:38 PM UTC
Thanks John for the info. Will have to start the search and see what happens. Will have to p/u squadrons book also to help with the dio build. Wont start till I have it all figured out and everything in order.
russamotto
Visit this Community
Utah, United States
Member Since: December 14, 2007
entire network: 3,389 Posts
KitMaker Network: 625 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 11:55 PM UTC
Here is some information on the fast attack transports.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-apd.html

I would love to see a Wickes or Clemson class done in 1/350 or 1/144 with the option to do the transport version.
dioman13
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Member Since: August 19, 2007
entire network: 2,184 Posts
KitMaker Network: 356 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 04:52 AM UTC
Thanks John/Russ. Guess I have my work or wish's cut out for me. Would like to find a plastic 4 stacker to convert for my idea but I may be looking for a long time. The Campelltown's been out of production for a few years.
dioman13
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Member Since: August 19, 2007
entire network: 2,184 Posts
KitMaker Network: 356 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 08:04 AM UTC
Well, sometimes you just get lucky. Found a still wraped Revell Campbelltown on evil-bay last night and ordered it. Should be here in a week or so.
Are there any prints or sites that would show the conversions made to make then APD's?
John, I have seen pic's were the #3 and #4 stack were removed and davits installed there. Was there a certain reason for the deviation as you discribed?
Littorio
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: September 15, 2004
entire network: 4,728 Posts
KitMaker Network: 279 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 12:09 PM UTC
Hi Bob, two of the stacks were removed due to one of the boiler rooms being removed to make space for troops, munitions etc. A company called Back-aft do resin conversions in 1/350 for the APD's.

Just a note, you may get a better response in the Modelshipwrights part of this network rather than in General modelling.
dioman13
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Member Since: August 19, 2007
entire network: 2,184 Posts
KitMaker Network: 356 Posts
Posted: Saturday, May 23, 2015 - 10:02 AM UTC
Hi Luciano, I tried to post there but something didn't work right on my end and ended up with 2 post here instead. All's fine though, questions got answered and my destroyer is on it's way to my dry dock. Unfortunatly the scales don't work out, it's 1/240th scale. Should not be too hard to refit it. I am currently looking for plans or line drawings so I can get it close to what was done. The 2 stacks would be the 2 forward ones from what I hear but on some pic's it looks as if the last 2 were removed. Maybe the class of ship was the reason. I wont know till I find more refferance.
YellowHammer
#513
Visit this Community
Alabama, United States
Member Since: March 28, 2006
entire network: 554 Posts
KitMaker Network: 129 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 10:08 AM UTC
Hi Bob,
Concerning the question on funnels, in addition to the 4 pipers, approx. 60 DEs were converted to APDs during the war. Also, many of the 4 pipers converted to minesweepers and minelayers had after stacks removed for room for their gear. This may be the cause of the confusion. The forward boiler and engine rooms were converted to troop quarters. It was stated in the publication I mentioned earlier that 3 APDs could transport a Marine battalion so troop berthing must have been pretty crowded. On page 49 there is a side view drawing of a DD and APD. In addition to the changes I mentioned earlier, the aft mast was typically removed, 4" guns replaced by 3" open mounts on some ships and additional AA added. Noted in the drawing is a 20mm on an elevated mount added between the bow gun and bridge. Many had air and surface radars added to the fore mast.

With all the differences in conversions I think your best bet would be to decide on which ship you want to model, based on the reference photos you are able to obtain. I don't know what ship drawings may be available. You may want to check some RC model ship sites for possible drawing references. Also, a Janes Fighting Ships volume for the time period may provide some useful drawings.

HTH
John
YellowHammer
#513
Visit this Community
Alabama, United States
Member Since: March 28, 2006
entire network: 554 Posts
KitMaker Network: 129 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 10:20 AM UTC
Hey Bob,
As a followup, the HMS Campbletown was formerly the Wickes class destroyer USS Buchannon. For your conversion look at the lower numbered APDs as I believe these will be the Wickes class DDs converted to APDs.
HTH
John
russamotto
Visit this Community
Utah, United States
Member Since: December 14, 2007
entire network: 3,389 Posts
KitMaker Network: 625 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 05:49 PM UTC
Wickes class destroyer Colhoun converted to high speed transport.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/img/DD/DD-85_Colhoun.gif
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/img/APD/APD-2_Colhoun.gif

Forward stacks removed.

Gilmer, a Clemson class conversion.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/img/APD/APD-11_Gilmer.jpg

Gregory, another Wickes class.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/img/APD/APD-3_Gregory.gif

Little, Wickes class
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/img/DD/DD-79_Little.gif
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/img/APD/APD-4_Little.gif

McKean, Wickes class.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/img/APD/APD-5_McKean.gif

Dent, Wickes class
http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/04/100400903.jpg

Hope these help.
YellowHammer
#513
Visit this Community
Alabama, United States
Member Since: March 28, 2006
entire network: 554 Posts
KitMaker Network: 129 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 07:50 PM UTC
Great pics Russ.

Bob, I don't know if there are any aftermarket items for your kit. It being in 1/240 scale makes it unusual. You may find some useable bits from micro-armor suppliers (1/285 scale) or perhaps in the 10mm range warrgaming miniatures. Many suppliers include landing craft and small boats in their ranges of miniatures. Most naval miniatures are in much smaller scales (1/1200 and 1/2400) so I don't think they will be helpful.

And DD-131 was the Buchanan. I had it spelled wrong earlier. The kit achually represents the DD before conversion by the British so that should be helpful.

Steelnavy.com and modelwarships.com may have drawings or photos which may be of soome use to you as well. Look at the bibliographies when you look up articles about the ships to get more ideas for sources.
HTH
John
 _GOTOTOP