Only a hop, skip, and jump from the Gearings.
This is BARTON (DD-722) in December of 1943. BARTON shows the early configuration of the SUMNER class, with the enclosed ("British" style) bridge structure characteristic of the early units. This style of pilot house was present on all the SUMNER class ships prior to August of 1944, when the later open bridge design replaced it. All of the class had their bridges reworked to the open type during refits prior to the end of the war.
This is DeHAVEN (DD-727) in May of 1944 operating off Massachusetts with Measure 32/3D camouflage. DEHAVEN shows the early style bridge, with its prominent portholes and the small wind shield above protecting the open conn.
This is TAUSSIG (DD-746) as commissioned in May of 1944, with the striking Measure 31/9D camouflage. TAUSSIG retained this camouflage even after her August of 1944 refit which rebuilt the ship's bridge into the later open version.
This is WALKE (DD-723) in October of 1944, with Measure 32/25D camouflage. WALKE was the third ship of the ALLEN M. SUMNER class of destroyers.
WALKE shows the standard radar fit for these destroyers in 1944, with an SC-2 air search antenna and an SG surface search set on the mainmast, with attendant IFF antennas. A TBS tactical radio antenna is mounted ahead of the mast. The Mark 37 director carries the usual Mark 12/22 set. WALKE is fitted as a fleet destroyer, with ten torpedo tubes in two quintuple mounts. The later refits of the class did away with the enclosed "British" style bridge, replacing them with the open model seen here. This design is identical to the form used on the GEARING class ships, but in this case a venturi shield has been added on the forward edge of the bridge.
This is LAFFEY (DD-724) in April of 1945, as the ship appeared during its famous action off Okinawa, with Measure 22 camouflage. LAFFEY suffered four bomb hits and six kamikaze crashes, with 32 killed and 71 wounded. The ship was repaired and returned to active service, where it went on to serve during the Korean War and Vietnam.
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All SUMNER class destroyer drawings available here: http://shipbucket.com/drawings/search?c ... =&drawing=
