<?xml version="1.0"?> <img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMSBelfast_No_968.jpg"><h2>HMSBelfast-No-968.jpg</h2>The way in which <em>HMS Belfast</em> is presented has always been a slightly tricky issue because the most significant events of her naval career occurred before she underwent considerable changes during the 1956-59 modernisation. <br><br>The clearest example of this dilemma is provided by the IWM's decision in 1993 to replace her bland post war grey livery with the eye-catching Admiralty Disruptive Camouflage Type 25 colour. Even though this scheme was applied to <em>HMS Belfast</em><span style="font-style:normal"> during WWII, it is, from a historical point of view, completely at odds with her Cold War appearance.</span><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMS_Belfast_guns.jpg"><h2>HMS-Belfast-guns.jpg</h2><em>HMS Belfasts</em> powerful main armament consists of 12 6in MkXXIII breech loading guns, split between 4 triple MkXXIII mountings. Each turret is identified by a letter. A and B (upper) for those forward of the bridge, X and Y (lower) for those mounted aft.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMS_Belfast_breech_block_of_gun_681.jpg"><h2>HMS-Belfast-breech-block-of-gun-681.jpg</h2>The hand-operated breech block of a turret's portside gun in the open position. Each gun could be independently elevated between 5º depression and 45º, either by power or hand. The blue wheel in the background could be used by the layer, whose nearby seat can also be seen, to manually control the elevation of the gun.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMS_Belfast_four_RAM_engine_No_66.jpg"><h2>HMS-Belfast-four-RAM-engine-No-66.jpg</h2>Situated immediately above the single 207sq ft balanced rudder, the Tiller Flat contains an electro-hydraulic four ram unit. One of the two 60bhp electric motors that provided the power for the hydraulic system can be seen on the left-hand side of the image in the foreground.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMS_Belfast_0364.jpg"><h2>HMS-Belfast-0364.jpg</h2><em>HMS Belfast,</em> is the Royal Navy's only warship to bear the name and therefore earned the four Battle Honours that are proudly displayed on this wooden board mounted by the Quarter Master's lobby.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMSBelfast200812No_806.jpg"><h2>HMSBelfast200812No-806.jpg</h2>The forward 4in mounting, on the starboard side, is seen in August 2012 towards the end of a 2½ year long restoration by a group of dedicated volunteers from <em>HMS Belfast's</em> conservation department. <br><br><em>HMS Belfast</em> was originally fitted with 12 of these high angle/low angle, quick-firing, Mark XVI 4in guns, dispersed between 6 twin Mark XIX mountings. The guns could be used against surface targets in addition to their primary anti aircraft role.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMS_Belfast_chart_room_207.jpg"><h2>HMS-Belfast-chart-room-207.jpg</h2>The semi enclosed charthouse is located in the Compass Platform's aft starboard quarter. In addition to the large chart table, where the navigating officer and his assistants plotted the ship's course, the compartment contained all of the charts and pilots that were likely to be required during the ship's deployment.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMS_Belfast_sleeping_arangements_417.jpg"><h2>HMS-Belfast-sleeping-arangements-417.jpg</h2>For the majority of her naval service her <em>HMS Belfast's</em> ratings lived, ate, and slept in cramped messes that were squeezed into every available area, including compartments filled with large items of equipment such as the Capstan Machinery Space, which can be seen through the open hatch.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMS_Belfast_messdeck_112.jpg"><h2>HMS-Belfast-messdeck-112.jpg</h2>This Chief Petty Officer's Messdeck illustrates the significant step change in the living conditions that was achieved by the conversion from Broadside Messing to Canteen Messing during <em>HMS Belfast's</em><span style="font-style:normal"> 1956-59 modernisation. <br><br>The traditional hammocks gave way to bunks mounted in three tiers while the kit lockers on the left-handside of the image contained each person's belongings. </span><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/08/HMSBelfastNo1000.jpg"><h2>HMSBelfastNo1000.jpg</h2><em>HMS Belfast </em>is still dressed for major occasions. In this case she is seen shortly before the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April 2011.<br><br>All photos by Richard Johnstone-Bryden, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1848321554" target="_blank">HMS Belfast: cruiser 1939.</a><br><br>See our previous <a href="http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/galleries/featured/34402/1/0/hms-belfast-photos-through-the-years">HMS Belfast gallery</a>.
