Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnews!military
From: cga66@ihlpy.att.com (Patrick V Kauffold)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Battleship Nelson
Message-ID: <1990Jul26.015358.2785@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 26 Jul 90 01:53:58 GMT
References: <1990Jul23.202210.6040@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 38
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: cga66@ihlpy.att.com (Patrick V Kauffold)
>From article <1990Jul23.202210.6040@cbnews.att.com>, by tom@yikes.math.ufl.EDU (Thomas J Gillen):
> 
> 	I have an incredibly detailed, four-inch lead model of a
> battleship which is identified only as "Nelson." I'd appreciate some
> basic information about the ship, if anyone is knowing and willing, as
> I'm clueless even as to its nationality.

Nelson was the first of the two Nelson class of British battleships 
completed in 1927 (Rodney was the other). At the time, they were the 
most powerful battleships in commission:

33,900 Tons displacement
Main Armament: Nine 16" 45 cal guns in 3 turrets
Secondary: 12 6" guns, 6 4.7" guns
AA: numerous 20MM Oerlikon mg
Main Propulsion: Two geared turbines total 45K SHP
Top Speed 23 knots

The unique arrangement with all three turrets forward was done to save
weight by putting the heavy armament and ammo handling machinery in 
one spot (rather than 2), plus the total armor needed was less.
Guns were of unique design, and had high elevation (40 degrees), but
did not perform as well as the British 15" and 14" guns (their opinion)
due to a multitude of safety interlocks that often prevented firing.

Nelson was damaged by a magnetic mine in 1939 while part of the Home Fleet.
Rodney participated in the Norwegian campaign, and was damaged by air
attack.  The Bismarck was put out of action by gunfire from Rodney and
King George V; Rodney closed to 4000 yards at one point. Nelson was with 
Force H in the Mediterranean, and was later joined by Rodney in Operation 
Pedestal to escort a convoy to Malta.

Sources: Preston, _Navies of World War II_; _Encyclopedia of Sea Warfare_

Pat Kauffold AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL (708) 713-4726