Wartime service WWII

[Sandy]

Hi,

While searching through the site I came upon this thread:-

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2386.msg10652#msg10652

There is a book called Warships of WWII by Lenton and Colledge that has specifications of just about everything that fought for the Roayal Navy in WWII. I see from Adebooks that the book can be bought in sections. In Section 4, 'Auxilliary Fighting Vessels' there is a good section about the coastal steamers converted to auxilliary anti-aircraft vessels, mostly paddle steamers.

It lists the Talsiman/Aristocrat armamnet as 2 2dr, 5 20mm, 8 .303mgs in Boulton Paul Defiant gun turrets(in answer to the question in the quoted thread).

It also has photos of:- Aristocrat, Emperor of India, Goatfell, Jeanie Deans, Laguna Belle, Queen Eagle (a turbine steamer), Queen Empress, Royal Eagle, Skiddaw,  and Thames Queen.

With regard to Clyde paddlers, is seems that only Talisman(Aristocrat), Caledonia(Goatfell), Jeanie Deans and Scawfell(Jupiter) became coastal AA ships.

Apologies if this has been covered before.

Sandy

[Walter Snowdon]

Hello Sandy and welcome to a pretty active bunch.The Warships of WW2 you mentio were publi8shed quitwe a long time ago by IAN ALLEN , initialy as a series of small booklets in their famouse pocket series and shortly after as  an updated larger hardback combined volume and are quite superb. I wish they were updated in larger size with better quality photo reproduction. I will never part with mine! Did you know that Paddlestemer preservation society had published two super little books PADDLE STEAMERS AT WAR by Plummer (the ONLY book published on all the paddlers in service as Warships and HMS ARISTOCRAT, a very detailed account of Talismans long and honourable service as an "Eagle Boat".
I have built up quite a collection of info and pictures of ARISTOCRAT in wartime service. I think HT LENTON is wrong on her armament. I have been in contact with two of her crew members and from looking at a lot of photos, for most of her service she was armed as follows: four 2 pounders (one forward, one aft) and one on both sponson boxes. Three 20mm oerlikons, one forward and one on eack sponson box.  two quad .303 MG in boulton and Paul turrets above the aft deckhouse and two twin lewis gun mounts. She also carried smoke making apparatus over her stern. Hope this isof interest and once again, a warm welcome to youi.Regards, Walter.