How did it work?

[ysi_maniac]

Taken from a South Dakota model

Could Y turret fire in 6 o'clock position? I assume no.
Where were planes stored in bad weather or during gun firing?

[NARSES2]

During firing the planes would usually be airborne spotting for the guns.

As for stowage during bad weather I assume they were just tied down well ??

Chris

[Cliffy B]

Remember South Dakota's and Washington's experiences off of Guadalcanal in one of the last night surface battles.  One of them (cant remember who) fired their after turret for the first time during the battle and set both Kingfishers on fire.  The second salvo blew both of them over the side.  And they were firing at about a 30-40 degree angle if I remember correctly.  The overpressure from one 16"/50, let alone three, is immense!

In bad weather I've seen them cover the planes with canvas tarps like the AA guns but they stay on their cats.  If they have extras they sit on the deck on a little wheeled dolly so they push them around.  Taking them on and off the cats is a delicate operation and if the ship is pitching and rolling a whole lot, all you'll accomplish is wrecking the planes.

[sequoiaranger]

Ships like the South Dakota had no hangar for their aircraft, so if there was going to be a night gun battle, the planes were GOING to get blown overboard. On the other hand, since the aircraft are pretty useless at night, no big loss. Indeed, if the SD fought a day battle, then the planes would normally be shot off to spot fall of shot.

You may note that the Yamato *DID* have a hangar for its floatplanes. The overpressure from her 18" guns was so severe it ripped clothing from its sailors. No ships boats were anywhere near, but kept below the main deck, for the same reason. Her AA gun mounts in the superstructure had to have enclosed shields so bodies wouldn't be exposed to the blast. One of the reasons why 16" guns was the upper limit in most of the world's navies was the human factor--- because the human body couldn't stand greater overpressure from larger guns.