Manitowac Balao Question

[aptivaboy]

I have two sets of contradictory plans of Hardhead and Hawkbill, and I'm trying to figure out which is correct. Did their forward bridge 20mm mount areas have wooden planking or not? One source says no and shows a hatch next to the 20mm base leading down into the conning tower I'd guess, or possible an ammo passing hatch.  However, the other shows a wooden slat pattern and no hatch.

Any ideas??

Thanks,

Robert

[Rokket]

Hi Robert,

First thing that comes to mind is different refits. Stuff changed like crazy on some boats!

At the Hardhead site (http://www.usshardhead.us/index.html) , there's a pic from 1945, shows the fwd section, pretty clear that it's metal:



I would guess it started wood and was replaced with the easier (and possibly more slippery?) metal during a refit. That said, aft looks plankish, but it is a grainy soft focus pic...

[aptivaboy]

Sweet! You rock! I'd checked that site before, but that photo must have been added in the interim. Okay, metal deck it is!

Thanks!