View source for Engineering:HMS Conundrum

{{Short description|Pipelaying drum, WW2}}

'''''HMS Conundrum''''' was the unofficial name given to the large drums used for laying the [[Social:World War II|World War II]] Normandy landings [[Engineering:Operation Pluto|PLUTO]] pipeline.<ref> [https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/operation-pluto-oil-gasoline-game.html Operation Pluto]</ref> The drums were cone-ended, hence the abbreviation CONUN and were used in the sea, hence subsequent ship ''HMS Conundrum'' nickname.<ref name=CD/> They were 30 feet in diameter and weighed 250 tons.<ref name=CD>[http://www.combinedops.com/pluto.htm PLUTO - PIPELINE UNDER THE OCEAN]</ref><ref>[http://www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/PlutoPipeline.html Pluto and its whereabouts in Epsom]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/uk_d_day_inventions/html/6.stm Picture of a "HMS Conundrum"]</ref><ref>[http://www.iwbeacon.com/Pipeline-Under-the-Ocean.aspx Pipeline Under the Ocean]</ref>

Views of "HMS ''Conundrum''" components
<gallery mode=packed>
File:IWM-T-30-Conundrum-preparation.jpg|A ''Conundrum'' being moved into position into a specially constructed dock in preparation for the winding on of the pipe.
File:IWM-T-32-PLUTO-Conundrum.jpg|Pipe being wound onto a ''Conundrum'', June 1944.
File:IWM-T-54-Conundrum-loaded.jpg|A ''Conundrum'' loaded with pipe, ready to be towed across the Channel.
File:IWM-T-29-PLUTO-Conundrum-at-sea.jpg|A ''Conundrum'' being towed across the English Channel laying out pipe behind it.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Conundrum}}
[[Category:Coastal construction]]

{{Sourceattribution|HMS Conundrum}}