hms belfast

Did the Navy restore her?  Or, did the State of Texas and her museum restore her?  The Navy might have assisted in the restoration, but I don't think they did it themselves, for one thing, the TEXAS isn't a commissioned ship as opposed to the CONSTITUTION. 

I still believe it would be far too finanncially prohibititve to back date the BELFAST ... That's not to say that I would not be opposed to the idea, remember that, I'm just being realistic about it.  She was 'modernized' and upgraded in the 50s and 60s and as a result, her appearance and armament changed somewhat from her wartime configuration.  The TEXAS however, went out of service just after the war and was never modernized and upgraded and remained in her wartime configuration, so, just based on that alone, it'd be a heck of a lot easier to restore her to, let's say, her 1945 appearance as opposed to the BELFAST.

Garth 

I had an uncle (recently deceased) who was a long-time volunteer on the USS Texas. He took me on an insider's tour of the ship. I was amazed by what the U.S. Navy accomplished in restoring her; conversely, I was disappointed  in what could not be accomplished.

My point is that the same could be done with HMS Belfast, a truly remarkable ship, if the will is there to do so. Barring that, I see nothing wrong with painting her in a correct paint scheme; she will still attract the same visitors. Afterall, she is an imposing presence on the River Thames. She will then impress both those who don't know the finer points of naval paint schemes and those who do.

Even so, I enjoyed my visits to t he ship very much!

Bill Morrison

I well remember the Texas from her bad old days, concrete decks and all, but still quite the stirring site for a teen-ager with a vivid imagination!

We have to remember, guys ... 99 out of 100 people who tour these ships aren't going to know the difference between a ships 1944 armaments fit and a Measure 32/4T camouflage scheme. And that's just fine. They are going to tour it because it was there, or because it looked kind of neat, or because grandpa was on one in WW II, or something like that. And the money they spend while doing so will keep the hands of time from chipping away at the proud old ladies a little less enthusiastically than they might otherwise do so.

Feasible?

Cost of research?

Cost of purchasing plans, drawings and photos?

Cost of finding correct armament or having good quality reproductions made?

Cost of towing it to a drydock facility?

Cost of occupying a drydock for however long?

Cost of facility laborers, costs of labor?

Cost of materials, paints?

I'm sure she still has asbestos in some areas of her hull, so that has to be removed and disposed of safely. 

It seems that it'd cost more than her Trust has or that they could raise in today's economy.

Sure, it'd be great to see her as she looked in her hay-day, but is it realistic to think it could be achieved?  No.

Look at this way, ... as I do, a HISTORIC ship was saved for future generations.  If they want to learn more about her history, there are sources on board and in their giftshop to provide the information.

Heck, I've heard that the RN wants to sell VICTORY because she is too expensive to upkeep and all that.

I'm just being pragmatic and realistic ...

I'm not attacking anyone.  

PTConsultingNHR wrote:

That was done to have her more eye-catching as a tourist attraction.  True, it is inaccurate for her present configuration and all that, but it is attractive ...

Yeah, but some nods to historical conservation ought to be made.  I remember BB-36 USS Texas in her original "Parks" guise.  Grounded on the mud of the ship channel, wooden decks replaced with low-bidder concrete, Kingfishers on the cats, but quad 1.1" installed too (and empty 20mm positions on deck) with stray quad 40's and their directors all in place--all with a post-war haze grey paint scheme.

How much better, after the last big refit, when the plating and leaks were repaired, set to pilings so she floats, and in a lovely measure 21, with aramaments fitted to her '44 configuration.  The blue is striking (and can be quite warm in the summer), but, it all "fits" together.  Now, if TP&W can find a way to dewater a few more spaces . . .

Garth,

I never advocated backfitting her to her WWII configuration, although it is feasible.  But, the ship should appear in the color scheme for the period she represents.  It is just a personal quibble of mine.

Bill Morrison

Sir,

Not to sound uppity or to appear that I'm 'attacking you' ... BUT.

To back-date the ship back to her WW2 configuration would not be financially feasible to do so.

And, in regard to her scheme?  That was done to have her more eye-catching as a tourist attraction.  True, it is inaccurate for her present configuration and all that, but it is attractive ...

Just my 2 cents.

Garth 

I had the opportunity to visit the ship in London two years ago.  I was disappointed to see that, although the ship remains in her 1960's configuration, she has been painted in her WWII camouflage scheme.  I wish that the caretakers would be more careful about accurately presenting the ship.

However, she is maintained beautifully!

Bill Morrison

thnx martin thats a big help now i got them

kool carnt wait to get this ship started now lol

martin thnx your a big help

                                                               ryan

tornado wrote:

yer thnx do u want ma email adress to send them coz its ryan_47@hotmail.co.uk                                                 ryan

yer thnx do u want ma email adress to send them coz its ryan_47@hotmail.co.uk

                                                ryan

tornado wrote:

i will i will start building it on th 1st of may has any 1 got any pics of their hms belfasts because i find it hard useing the colour sceme on the airfix instrutions so if use have any could use post sum                                                thnx ryan

ok i dont mind doing cammo ive done it on all ma planes that ive done so ill give it a bash it can onli go rong lol

                                                   ryan

kool is the cammo hard

i might not use the camoflage no more depense how good my camoflage is after i finish my fokker wulf fw190

    ill post pics of my hms belfast                          ryan

i will i will start building it on th 1st of may has any 1 got any pics of their hms belfasts because i find it hard useing the colour sceme on the airfix instrutions so if use have any could use post sum

                                               thnx ryan

i am goin to try the camoflage sorry lol i have done camoflage on a 2 spits l8tly n it went good i am hoping to get anuva good result

                                                         ryan