The Cruiser Belfast (Anatomy of the Ship) Hardcover – April 6, 2010

Since you're reading an "Anatomy of the Ship" review, I'm going to assume that you're familiar with the series and like it, and know about the bajillion line drawings and photographs. This is one of those, and has that. However, if you're like me, you have some specific questions about the information contained, the same questions that I had. Having spent my $25.91, and gotten it in only 6 days (Free shipping is a good deal), I am now qualified to tell you.Good stuff:*Full line drawing plans of the ship, in 1:400, of the ship in her 1942 configuration (after being extensively rebuilt following mine damage). This is six two-page spreads and includes all separate decks.*Outboard profile of the ship in her 1962 (post-refit) configuration, 1:400 scale, two-page spread.*Two-page spread of her hull lines, armor plans, etc., (the durable stuff) from 1942 on.*Two-page spread of superstructure changes from 1945-56 (i.e., the intermediate configurations between 1942 and 1962 plans above), including scrap views and notes on when various objects were installed, e.g., radars, gun directors.* A nice 3/4 perspective view of bridge superstructure post-1959.* Three pages of her mast rigs, 1939, 1942, 1959+.Note: There are no profiles of her original 1939 configuration, but she only served in this for three months (Aug-Nov 1939) before hitting the mine, so that scarcely matters. However, there is a page of her 1939 foremast and mainmast top rig mentioned above.All of the detailed stuff you'd expect about hull structure, compartments, machinery. High points here:*Five pages of line drawings of all nine types of the light AA weapons she carried (Quad .50-cal, Octuple 2 Pdr Pom-Pom, Quad 2 Pdr Pom-Pom, Single 2 Pdr Pom-Pom, Twin 20mm Oerlikon, Single 20mm Oerlikon, 40mm "Boffin," Single 40mm Bofors, Twin 40mm Bofors)*Seven pages of boats and launching gear, including 32' cutter, 27' MWB, 36' Pinnace, 16', 25', and 35' motorboat, 14' dinghy, LCP(L), 25' motor cutter, and 35' speed boat. (One review implies these are not here, but that is not the case.)*Four pages on aircraft handling facilities and Walrus, but this stuff was removed in 1944.Also Note: The 1:350 fold-out plan is on the inside of the dust jacket, so don't look for it inside the book.WHAT IT DOES NOT HAVE:No color on the inside. The only color is on the cover. This is a little disappointing, as Belfast has a nice, colorful disruptive scheme from 1942-43 that she currently wears, incorrectly in her post-1959 configuration, as a museum ship. There are no black-and-white camouflage diagrams, either, which is also disappointing, and very little discussion of paint schemes at all, save for a caption for a photograph about an "unusual color scheme" in 1946 which provides no further detail.So, the only good view of her 1943 Admiralty Type 25 scheme is on the front cover, and that is port bow, so is naturally limited. Also, there is a teasy view on the back cover of a full color computer-generated deck-by-deck exploded view of the ship, but that is just eye candy, it is not in the book.So, this book has most of the stuff that you need and want, but not necessarily everything you could wish for. There's probably a book out there with lots of color plates with all of her paint schemes, but it is not this one.

Although it isn't quite as detailed as some of the later books in this series, this is an all-around pretty solid early entry in Conway's "Anatomy of the Ship" series. Focusing on the only British warship larger than a destroyer that served in World War Two and is still preserved today, this book provides a wealth of detail for ship buffs and modelers. The format is basically the same as the rest of the series - a brief text introduction describing the ship and it's history, 21 photographs of her throughout her 24-year career, and 88 pages of keyed drawings. Along with the basic general arrangements of the ship, there are also many nicely detailed plans of the hull structure, machinery, superstructure, masts and "rig," armament, fittings, anchor gear, and aircraft arrangements.The perspective views are where Ross Watton really shines, and there are quite a few of them here. The perspective views of the hull structure are beautifully executed and detailed right down to individual rivets and angle bars. The cross-sections through the ship's machinery are also very nicely done, as are the multiple views of the triple six-inch turrets. The sections on the superstructure and rig do a good job depicting how the ship's appearance changed between 1939 and 1959. Unfortunately, at 120 pages this book feels a little pressed for space, and it tends to lack the fanatical attention to detail found in the books by John Lambert, John McKay, and John Roberts (what's with all the Johns, anyway?). Still, there's a lot of good stuff in here, the drafting quality is very good for the most part, and I've spent many enjoyable hours examining these illustrations.

While this book is one of the older ones in the Anatomy of the Ship series, it's an excellent one. There are no color images, but the black and white line drawings are outstanding and very well annotated. The black and white pictures are average, but this is to be expected, given the era in which this ship operated. The author provides a tremendous amount of technical detail--both drawings and text--about every aspect of the ship. My only complaint is that the beautiful color exploded view of the ship which is printed on the back of the dust jacket in small form is not included in the book itself.

I have half a dozen of the Anatomy series books now there are a few errors I have noticed but you would have had to have live on the ship to notice them. Since this ship still exist today I expect the book to be very accurate. Dimensions and scale are what these books are all about, I would hope that the publisher would include some 3D color drawing in the future as some of the new 3D books from Poland do. The Anatomy of the ship books have become very valuable as the go out of print and become collectors items.If your thinking about buying one don't wait it maybe $400 next year!

These are wonderful if you enjoy history, diagrams or just learning how things work. These were a great way for me to connect with my son.

This series of books tells the story of specific ships, as well as showing you the ins and outs in extreme clarity. This one deals with Britain's only WW 2 ship still around HMS Belfast. I heavily recommend this series for any one interested in the ships that are the subjects of these books.

Everything that you ever wanted to know about Belfast's design and development.Great illustrations - really useful for the modeler. Took a while but finally found the 1/350 scale hull drawings - they are on the reverse side of the dust jacket.

Fantastic drawings, specially from the internal structures. As a modeller, I have more interest in the external fittings, where this series pales in front of the more modern 3D-rendered models of Top Dreawings and such. Still very good reference for the Belfast, though.

As usual with this serious of books very detailed drawings and history given. Excellent for assisting in anyone wishing to make a scale or near scale model of HMS Belfast in her various guises. Good plan on inside of dust cover especially of great help in overall dimensions, and is a good base, using other drawings included throughout book to construct different stages of her service life.Well recommended.

A very useful reference book full of illustrations and text of the only surviving World War ll Royal Navy vessel, currently moored by Tower Bridge on the river Thames. Thoroughly recommended for anyone building either kit available of this fine ship.

Sold as (new excellent) no plans included informed from seller not checked before selling very dissapointed

I work on board, this book has taught me a lot.

Love this book do informative