Gearing class destroyers

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Post subject: Gearing class destroyers

Posted: July 27th, 2017, 10:19 pm

Posts: 5218
Joined: July 26th, 2010, 9:38 pm
Location: Colorado
Contact: Website

A long time coming, though I'm afraid these will be eclipsed by the USN carriers soon.

This is FRANK KNOX (DD-742) in December of 1944, while running trials in the Atlantic. Only a few of the GEARING class destroyers were painted in Measure 33, and all of those were painted in this same 28D pattern. This pattern called for Light Grey (5-L) and Ocean Grey (5-O) on the vertical surfaces and Deck Blue (20-B) on all horizontal surfaces, visible here atop the torpedo tube tops and the aft torpedo tube shield roof. Note also the white countershading under the overhangs, intended to reduce shadows.

FRANK KNOX shows the standard "as built" configuration for the DD-710 class, with ten torpedo tubes in two quintuple mounts. The ship would serve in this guise only briefly, as it was soon converted to a radar picket (DDR) at the Boston Navy Yard.

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This is GEARING (DD-710), the lead ship of the class, in June of 1945. GEARING sports the standard Measure 22 camouflage scheme. All of the GEARING class ships that went to the warzone did so in either Measure 21 or Measure 22.

Notable differences from FRANK KNOX include the Mark 51 director tubs amidships, on tall supports, and the lack of a DAK direction finder loop ahead of the number two stack. GEARING (like most of the class) would receive a pair of DBM radar direction finders in radomes in this position at its next refit.

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This is FRANK KNOX (DD-742) in June of 1945 while working up in the Pacific. The ship is camouflaged in the standard all-over Navy Blue Measure 21.

FRANK KNOX was one of the DDR (radar picket) conversions, developed after experience during the Philippines campaign. This conversion involved landing the forward set of torpedo tubes and their replacement with a tripod mast supporting the SP fighter direction radar, as well as the TDY "carpet" jammer (so named for the "carpet"-like appearance it created on enemy radar screens) and a YE homing beacon at the main top. A DBM radar direction finder sits next to the TDY, with its buddy antenna mounted ahead of the mainmast. The late-style "cockpit" Mark 37 director is fitted with the Mark 12/22 radar combination. FRANK KNOX did not lose its aft torpedo tubes for an additional 40mm Bofors mount.

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This is CHEVALIER (DD-805) in May of 1945, with Measure 22 camouflage.

CHEVALIER has received the full DDR and anti-kamikaze conversion updates, with both torpedo tubes landed in favor of additional anti-aircraft guns aft; otherwise, the ship is nearly identical to FRANK KNOX.

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This is GEARING (DD-710) in March of 1947, with the overall Haze Grey of the Measure US 27 (formerly Measure 13) camouflage. This was the standard haze grey scheme applied to all USN ships after World War II (even up to today).

GEARING's immediate postwar appearance shows some interesting additions, most notably the SR air search antenna on the foremast, along with a large outgrowth of tactical radio antennas. The "old reliable" Sugar George surface search is still present. DBM radar direction finder radomes have been added on a small yard ahead of the no.2 stack, and "sword" RCM antennas have been fitted aft of the forward stack, with their companion "derby" antennas on the yards. Ventilation systems have been slightly updated, and all 20mm single mounts have been replaced by twin mounts. Otherwise the ship is nearly identical to its "as built" appearance.

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All GEARING class destroyers available here: http://shipbucket.com/drawings/search?c ... =&drawing=

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