Click on Image to EnlargePerched atop the bridge levels (right) on the island of the USS Yorktown Musuem Ship at Patriot's Point, SC is a descendant of the original 5" gun director with which she was launched.
Click on Image to EnlargeCloser inspection reveals it is significantly different from the original-issue, Mk37 unit; now looking much more boxy. The very angular enclosures over the rangefinder "ears" is, I believe, an artifact from mothballing, while the rectangular boxes on the "front" face are in fact identical to those originally installed on the
rear side; the director is here turned to face aft. This stowage of the directors facing aft can be seen on many later vessels and is logical protection for increasingly sensitive antennae and plastic "EM windows" against the ravages of wind and weather, coming (most strongly) from ahead.
Click on Image to EnlargeFrom this near-perfectly aligned viewpoint forward, the rangefinder is outlined (right), to distinguish it from all the other haze-gray steel. Again, note the enclosures over the side ears are completely featureless and identical on both sides. Again, the rectangular boxes facing forward (and wall handrail as well) are identical to features on the backs of the original Mk37s.
Click on Image to EnlargeFrom behind we can confirm the director is indeed turned around, noting a few other, last remaining vestiges of the Mk37: two of the 6 original sighting hatches (the two right-most ones from the lower row), as well as more hand- and footrail as well as the side ladder.
Clearly, this is a significant modification from the original Mk37; externally differeing primarily in the entire width of the top front being built up vertically into a box, which extends a little further forward over the portside positions. Also, the side walls no longer taper forward, but now extend straight forward so that the base of the unit is a true square
If anyone(s) can further identify and/or describe this type of gun director please pipe up, stick your oar in or otherwise sing out!
Cheers,
-Matty
