Battleships Rodney & Nelson (ShipShapes)

The odd design of these two battleships was conceived to maximise armour protection on minimum hull length, with all three turrets concentrated forward of the bridge structure. This was based on the early post WW1 plans for the ‘G3’ battlecruisers, in effect with the stern section chopped off and the horsepower drastically reduced (a point not mentioned in the book). The first 28 pages give a brief history of design, protection, main armament, secondary armament, torpedo gear and so on. There are 17 photographs. Service history is covered by ‘bullet points’ - there is no great detail, but the number of entries are impressive: despite low speed the two ships were profitably employed throughout the war, often as convoy escorts, and it was Rodney that really finished off the Battleship Bismark.There are ten double page longitudinal Profiles, but they are not annotated. The next fifty pages feature cross section drawings and many details, these are annotated and are quite interesting, but there are no isometric or perspective views of the type now possible using computer technology. Finally, there are nine double page colour profiles showing appearance as it changed over the years, including camouflage schemes. These are perhaps the best feature of the book.This book has much in common with the ‘Anatomy Of The Ship’ series, but is less sophisticated than the the recent editions from that source. Others have complained about the cost of this one: I only paid £13 for mine but I’d say £15-£18 is reasonable. The recent Schiffer volume on the ‘Kongo’ class battlecruisers cost me a very reasonable £15 and that is a rather better book. This one is an ‘ok’ book if you wish to learn something about these two hard worked ships, but it is not ground breaking or particularly absorbing to read.

A really interesting book bout the 2 major warships of the Royal Navy built after WWI, that played major roles during WWII.Whilst giving only brief history of their different actions they took part in, it is the excellent drawings along with details of changes in armament, radar etc that make the book one of those that those interested in large Warships that took part in the war should be one that joins their library.

A rather slim volume considering the price. The drawings are excellent and very useful to any model-maker, but the short history doesn’t really add anything to the book.I have to say though, that compared, for example, to the stunning recent ‘Anatomy’ books on the Yamato and Iowa, at a similar price, it’s poor value.That said though, if you’ve a deep interest in British capital ships, it’s a useful addition to any library.

A really well written book which gives every detail you could wish to know about what i consider the two ugly sisters of all battleships.The only problem being i came to the end too quickly.

A poor book at the price even allowing for the current price reduction. I found the drawing on pages 52 & 53 is missing a number of captions above 123, I can see notations on the drawing up to 128. It's is not acceptab!e in a book priced at £30+.

Disappointed a lot of money for not much book only 28 pages of written text