| GENE SLOVERS US NAVY PAGES PARBUCKLING |
| Parbuckling is the operation of transfering projectiles when the projectile rings are being loaded or unloaded or when the guns are being served. For ring loading, transfer is made from the projectile flat strike-down hatches to the storage rings. For gun serving, transfer is made from the rings to the shell hoists. The stalk which hangs below the turret and rotates with the turret are the upper and lower projectile flats. The outer ring of the projectile flat is stationary and does not rotate with the turret but is attatched to the walls of the turret foundation upon which the turret sits. The outer stationary ring provides additional storage space for projectiles. The inner ring also provides storage space for the projectiles. The inner ring rotates by power from an electric motor. Projectiles are loaded into the shell hoists from the inner ring. Using the electric motor to rotate the inner ring the projectiles on the inner ring are brought closer to the shell hoist for ease of loading. The inner ring can be rotated in both directions as needed. There is a ring between the inner rotating ring and the outer stationary ring which is a part of the stalk hanging from the bottom of the turret. This ring rotates with the turret. On this ring of both the upper and lower rotating ring are located 6 capstans or cat heads that are called gypsy heads. All are connected to one motor and all rotate at the same time when the motor is running. The motor is started and runs at any time the turret is manned so that projectile loading can occur in the shortest time. The 6 gypsy heads are located on the ring that is a part of the stalk and rotates with the turret, between the rotating ring and the stationary ring. The gypsy heads are also used to load the inner rotating rings from the outer fixed projectile rings. To use the gypsy heads to move the projectiles one end of a rope is tied off on the gypsy head or near the gypsy head. You do not have to put a turn or two on the base of the projectile you can simply drop the rope over the projectile and it will slide towards the cat head, gypsy head if you prefer, or if you put a turn or two on the bottom of the projectile the projectile will rotate as it slides. I always though this rotating action made the projectile easier to move and that it slides better. You take the rope and put a couple of turns around the base of the projectile below the rotating band, never above the rotating band, and then put 2 turns of the rope around the cathead. As you pull on the rope the cathead then pulls the projectile towards the cathead because the other end of the rope is tied off. Easy does it and no jerking on the line. You can take the rope and drop it over the projectile and then take a couple of turns around the gypsy head with both ends of the rope and pull on the ends of both ropes at the same time and pull the projectile to or towards the gypsy head. A BB rarely rolls over 15 to 20 degrees and does not create a problem in shell handling. The projectiles are all secured in place on the inner ring and outer stationary flat. You only free the one you are trying to load. As the projectiles are loaded into the shell hoists from the rotating ring, the rotating ring powered by an electric motor, is rotated to bring the projectiles on the rotating ring near the shell hoists for ease of loading and rapid loading. The gypsy heads are used to replenish the rotating ring as the projectiles are used. The initial loading of both the upper and lower projectile flats is done with the help of the gypsy heads. Some man handling of the projectiles is required to get the projectile exactly where you want it. For more information see the following 2 links. https://www.eugeneleeslover.com:80/AMMUNITION/NAVORD-OP-769-CHAPTER-8-PARBUCKLING-GEAR.html ../USNAVY/CHAPTER-7-E.html |