NationStates Jolt Archive

In a surprise response to increasing Effitian and Ryansislean aggression against Healdsburg, the Commonwealth Combined Parliament today voted extra funds to the Ministry of War, to the tune of 35 billion generals the first year, and ten billion every following year.

The majority of the funds, twenty-three and six billion, will go to the Navy to help replace its aging Delton and Aegean-class destroyers. The Admiralty also plans to lay down three new battle-ships, two said to be much more impressive than even the massive Undauntable, though no specifics were discussed. After their completion, HIMS Stalwart, Iansisle’s first all-big-gun battle-ship, would be moth-balled indefinitely. Stalwart was damaged badly in the Battle of the Narrows, and has never quite regained her old performance.

Also ordered was a second Salvador-class Mobile Aero-Flyer Dock, to be either named HIMS Galloquoi or Augsburg. Also, two extra Shield class heavy cruisers, to be named HIMS Nusheld and Laughlin

Statistics for the thirty ordered destroyers, of which sixteen will be the larger Tiger-class and fourteen of the smaller Protector-class, have been released. The first batch of six destroyers, three of each class, is expected to be completed in three months, and the new Salvador-class in ten. In the meantime, the Admiralty continues to argue about the new battleships

HIMS Tiger-class escort destroyer

Dimensions
Length (overall): 327’3”
Length (waterline): 322’9”
Beam (overall): 29’11”
Draft: 12’9” to 14’2”
Displacement (fully loaded): 2,933 tons
Displacement (normal): 2,788 tons
Displacement (standard): 2,607 tons
Crew: 213
Power / Performance
Power Plant: 3 Westerton Mk. IX diesel
Turbines: 3 Shell J49
Shafts: 3
Horsepower: 39,850
Max Speed: 33.7 knots
Range: 6,750 nm at 14.5 knots ; 3,900 nm at 25 knots
Armor
Belt: 3" steel
Deck: 1.2" to 1.6" steel
Forward Bulkhead: 1.5" steel
Broadside Bulkhead: 1.2" steel
Aft Bulkhead: 0.59" steel
Turrets: 4" face ; 3.5" sides ; 1.05" roof
Barbettes: 4" above belt ; 1.5" below belt
Conning tower: 4" sides ; 1.2" roof
Armament
6 x 4.1" guns (mounted in 3 turrets, with two forward and one aft)
12 x .50 caliber AA guns (mounted along broadsides)
4 x 2 pounder AA guns (mounted along broadsides)
4 x depth charge throwers (two aft, one port, one starboard)
6 x 18" torpedo launchers (above waterline; 3 port, 3 starboard)
Radars
Air Search: RSUC model 174A
Surface Search: RSUC model 111S
Fire Control: RSUC model 211FC "Blindman's Bluff"
Hydrophones: RSUC model 710HP

Ships of the Tiger-class:

HIMS Tiger
HIMS Elephant
HIMS Gorilla
HIMS Zebra
HIMS Gazelle
HIMS Arabian Oryx
HIMS Lion
HIMS Colt
HIMS Rhinoceros
HIMS Bison
HIMS Deer
HIMS Cougar
HIMS Leopard
HIMS Hippopotamus
HIMS Labrador
HIMS Cheetah

HIMS Protector-class picket destroyer

Dimensions
Length (overall): 225’6”
Length (waterline): 223’6”
Beam (overall): 19’9”
Draft: 9’8” to 10’2”
Displacement (fully loaded): 1,950 tons
Displacement (normal): 1,866 tons
Displacement (standard): 1,722 tons
Crew: 112
Power / Performance
Power Plant: 2 Westerton Mk. IX diesel
Turbines: 2 Shell J49
Shafts: 2
Horsepower: 29,625
Max Speed: 36.8 knots
Range: 6,150 nm at 16.5 knots ; 2,950 nm at 27 knots
Armor
Belt: 1" steel
Deck: 0.5" to 0.7" steel
Forward Bulkhead: 0.75" steel
Broadside Bulkhead: 0.65" steel
Aft Bulkhead: 0.25" steel
Turrets: 3" face ; 1.5" sides ; 0.66" roof
Barbettes: 4" above belt ; 1.5" below belt
Conning tower: 2" sides ; 1.5" roof
Armament
2 x 4.1" guns (mounted in forward turret)
12 x .50 caliber AA guns (mounted along broadsides)
6 x 2 pounder AA guns (mounted along broadsides)
6 x depth charge throwers (two aft, one port, one starboard)
2 x 18" torpedo launchers (above waterline; 1 port, 1 starboard)
Radars
Air Search: RSUC model 174A
Surface Search: RSUC model 111S
Fire Control: RSUC model 211FC "Blindman's Bluff"
Hydrophones: RSUC model 710HP

Ships of the Protector-class

HIMS Protector
HIMS Guardian
HIMS Guiding Spirit
HIMS Defender
HIMS Patroler
HIMS Heroic
HIMS Intrepid
HIMS Legendary
HIMS Dauntless
HIMS Valiant
HIMS Valorous
HIMS Gallant
HIMS Bulwark
HIMS Courageous

Bad ass. So with all the armor on these thgns, how efective are anti shiping missles?

(I'd imagine fairly effective, if only because we really have no way to shoot them down. The armor is thick compared to modern destroyers, but nothing compared to the 13" of steel on the Undauntable's belt.)

Gotcah. They didnt have CIWS back in 1940? :lol: For clarification, the belt is the hull, right?

(Basically. The belt protected the area most likely to be struck by shells and torpedoes. Due to displacement concerns, it couldn't protect the entire ship.)

It seems you've surpassed our Class I destroyers, generally.

Good pace on them- and they can get right across the Atlantic at a fair whack
-I'm..not sure why they'd want to, no.

(The traditional fruit basket is en route)


(do excuse me if I hold off replying to certain threads (the buy-out one) I got talking to a few rare-seen friends and the ale was sipped for a few hours..and..yeah)

(well, I don't know about that. The Protector-class is mainly geared towards straight-out escort duty (what with the cut 4" guns and added AA batteries and depth charge throwers). I rather like the Tiger class - but mostly their names. Can't wait to use Arabian Oryx or Hippopotamus in a battle :D

Egads, speaking of names, I just noticed I had two HIMS Heroics! Change to Legendary...good as new!

Actually, these are the first two ship classes in the Commonwealth equipted with hydrophones and depth charges. I'm surprised I've only lost two merchantmen to submarines so far :shock:

Don't worry about that other thread - we can pick it up tommorow, or whenever.)

Hehe, excuse the continued ooc ramblings in yr thread- i'll delete/replace later if needs be.. I'm just laughing my drunken socks of..f..where the hell are my socks? er.. Laughing myself silly at the Hippopotamus/Arabian Oryx/Rhinoceros/Gorilla situation.

It puts Stockshire, Ajax, and so on to shame, really. I suppose "HMWS Dolly" was a start.

(bah, ooc ramblings are really the best I can hope for, since I'm not selling anything per se. They're more than welcomed - call it encouraged!

You have an Ajax as well? Mine's an about-to-be-scrapped destroyer, of my "Heroes from the Illiad" class. By the way, I've made a resolution never to deploy an Achilles or Agamemnon (holy crap, I spelled that right on the first try. I owe myself a cookie!) because they were really the stupid Greek heroes. Now Diomedes - there was a hero among mortals! Aphrodite, Ares, arrows through the feet - nothing could stop him!)

Damn, I knew I should have gone for the Greek mythology over the communist manifesto! (casts down used vouchers in disgust)!

I can't very well call my next destroyer "Engels" and maintain a Tory government now, can I ? :)

Aw hell, I really ought to nap.

Speak later, no doubt.

(Right, later man. Good luck with that whole drunk thing ;) )

(bump!)

(one more bump to keep track of this thing while I work on those aforementioned battleships!)

"Impressive"
Admiral Graf Otto Kleinhaus put down the Abwehr's report on Iansisle's newest destroyer class. They compared favorably to the Z-class Der Kriegsmarine currently fielded. Perhaps too favorably, he thought.
Kleinhaus pressed the buzzer on his desk. In moments , is secretery, Frau Boltiz, stepped in.
"Yes, Herr Admiral?"
"Draft a memo to the OKW, concerning my recommendation that a new destroyer class be proposed. I want to see a preliminary study on my desk in two weeks."
"Yes, Herr Admiral."

IANAPALIS, Iansisle - The Admiralty - under pressure to match formidable foreign naval buildup programs - today released the designs for HIMS Behemoth and HIMS Gargantuan - the vessels that are to replace the aging HIMS Undauntable as Iansisle’s premier battleships.

The Admiralty was quick to warn that the Behemoth will not match top-rate foreign battleships in terms of displacement or size, but the “significantly” cheaper (though not revealed) price tag will allow for increased production of smaller battle-cruisers and heavy cruisers to even the odds.

Questions about a next generation battle cruiser to compliment the Shield-class heavy cruiser and Behemoths were evaded, as was the rumor that the Admiralty will soon be ordering a further two Behemoth-classes.

Jorgenson and Sons will start on both Behemoths at once in nine months, delaying production of the last seven Tiger class and last five Protector class destroyers. Construction is estimated to take sixteen to twenty months.

HIMS Behemoth-class battleship

Dimensions
Length (overall): 766’9”
Length (waterline): 729’10”
Beam (overall): 101’2”
Beam (waterline): 99’6”
Draft: 35’2” to 38’11”
Displacement (fully loaded): 46,823 tons
Displacement (normal): 43,955 tons
Displacement (standard): 41,255 tons
Crew: 1,612
Power / Performance
Power Plant: 8 Westerton Mk. XII 3-drum oil fired boilers
Turbines: 4 Shell J51
Shafts: 4
Horsepower: 137,000
Max Speed: 30.4 knots
Range: 9,250 nm at 14.5 knots ; 5,350 nm at 22 knots
1 x catapult, starboard facing ; 10,000 lbs
1 x aircraft recovery winch ; 12,000 lbs
Armor
Belt: 15" steel
Deck: 4.5" to 6.5" steel
Forward Bulkhead: 13" steel
Broadside Bulkhead: 10" steel
Aft Bulkhead: 7" steel
Turrets: 16" face ; 13" sides ; 7.5" roof
Barbettes: 16" above belt ; 5.5" below belt
Conning tower: 6" sides ; 5.5" roof
Armament
9 x 16"/45 guns (3 turrets - two forward, one aft)
12 x 5.5”/50 guns (4 triple along broadsides)
52 x 2 pounder AA guns (mounted along broadsides)
2 x MPAF-3F float recon / light torpedo aero-flyers
Radars
Air Search: RSUC model 174A
Surface Search: RSUC model 111S
Fire Control: RSUC model 211FC "Blindman's Bluff"

Ships of the Behemoth-class:

HIMS Behemoth
HIMS Gargantuan

(for an artist’s impression of the Behemoth, click here (http://www.chuckhawks.com/lion.jpg))

So the beamoth is the one the missles bounce off? And that thing is about hte length of one of my Northamptons...christ...

(I don't know about 'bounce off', and I'm afraid I don't know much about armor penetration. Still, a 15" steel belt - which is somewhat misleading, because 15" is only the thickest part - seems able to stand up to quite a pounding. Anyone know more, and care to enlighten me? Please? :) )

oooooooh big, pretty ships :D

technically you cant bounce a missile off a ship, cuz missiles have a fuse that lights on impact, hence blowing the missile up...

'zactly what do ya wanna know?

(hey, man, haven't seen you about much. Well, how about a 448 lb AP / HE warhead (like the one used on the Harpoon) impacting the thick part of a 15" belt of high quality but 1940s era steel? The belt is angled slightly, but you can disregard that for simplicity. Thanks!)

The question is "can anti-ship missiles penetrate the armour on these new ships?"

I don't know- I mean, they can certainly penetrate much of it, but 15'? I'd imagine most modern anti-ship missiles simply aren't designed to do that job (not sure that they can't anyway), as of course most of their intended targets would have no such armour. Of course if Iansisle got into an extended conflict with a modern nation, they would probably design new weapons expressly to penetrate that armour (em, or I suppose they could just conquer Iansisle and leave the ships to wander aimlessly until they gave in, but lets just assume these are all mute points, eh? I know my navy is glad to be unlikely ever to have to fight against them.)

as in would the belt be blown to hell?

most likely no. I believe that a 448lb HE warhead would heavily damage it, and something over a thousand lbs would certainly wreck the armor.

but a 448lb... perhaps there would be some penetration, but not enough to cripple the ship, or compromise the ship (assuming it its a fair distance say 3-6 feet above the waterline)

EDIT: I'm assuming you meant 15 inches, not feet here, cuz 15 feet would probably withstand a 2/3 thousand lb warhead

(hmm...interesting. Thanks for the information - I'm afraid my cashe of information on armor penetration is somewhat limited - or non-existant. One of the two :D

W.o.S. - y'never know; I may be able to win on land ;) Of course, given that the R.I.A.C. is probably among the absolute worst armies out there, in terms of technology, numbers, funding, and leadership, and maybe not.)

(edit: yes, 15". Again, thanks for the information. Say, didn't I sell you the original HIMS Gargantuan?)

I think so... but if you did, we kinda umm lost it? it isn't in my armed forces listing, and yeah...

I think so... but if you did, we kinda umm lost it? it isn't in my armed forces listing, and yeah...

Did you check your other pair of pants? :lol:

IANAPALIS - Iansisle: A press conference of naval correspondents responded with a mixture of outrage, confusion, and dismay at the announcement today of Iansisle’s next generation battlecruiser, HIMS Queen Jessica

And the design is indeed a curious one. On the surface, it looks conventional - a long, somewhat narrow 35,000 tonner capable of making 35 knots. Huge oil tanks give the ship an operational circle of around 10,000 nautical miles, even at speed.

However, grafted onto that template is one double turret of the 14”/45 big guns designed for Undauntable, two double turrets of the 12”/45 guns used by Stalwart, and three triple turrets of the 8”/50 guns used by Shield-class heavy cruisers. Critics were puzzled by what is generally seen as a regression to pre-Stalwart design specifications.

Rear Admiral Cedric Mayfield, the Admiralty’s spokesperson, fielded questions. “The mixed armament on the Queen Jessica-class is needed to fulfill her mission. Normally, Iansislean ships are designed to be supported by an entire fleet of destroyers, oilers, and so-forth. Jessica is designed to operate for extensive periods of time with little to no help.

“She may find herself engaged at long distance - hence the 14” guns. She may find herself engaged at middling distance - hence the 12” guns, or she may find herself engaged at close distance - hence the 8” guns and torpedo tubes.

“There’s not a system on this ship that hasn’t been tested extensively on other ships, from her guns to her boilers to the stove in the galley. When completed, Queen Jessica will be perhaps the most self-reliant ship in existence.”

Mayfield’s words did little to ease the crowd, who worried about engagements at range with post-Stalwart foreign battlecruisers and battleships. Mayfield alleged that the Jessica’s speed and range would negate any such instances, and that she would primarily be used to engage enemy commerce raiders, heavy cruisers, and destroyer formations.

Some concern was raised about the Jessica’s thin armor belt, needed to keep displacement down when loaded with foodstuffs, ammunition, and fuel. Mayfield evaded these questions, as well as about gun recoil from the 14” battery given her narrow beam. Mayfield insisted the diminutive beam was needed to maintain high speed. Stability issues is rough seas was also skipped over.

HIMS Queen Jessica class battlecruiser

Dimensions
Length (overall): 741’2”
Length (waterline): 710’11”
Beam (overall): 87’5”
Beam (waterline): 83’1”
Draft: 28’2” to 31’1”
Displacement (fully loaded): 35,288 tons
Displacement (normal): 29,855 tons
Displacement (standard): 27,952 tons
Crew: 1,412
Power / Performance
Power Plant: 6 Westerton Mk. XII 3-drum oil fired boilers
Turbines: 3 Shell J51
Shafts: 3
Horsepower: 102,300
Max Speed: 35.6 knots
Range: 13,650 nm at 15 knots ; 8,750 nm at 25 knots
1 x catapult, starboard facing ; 10,000 lbs
1 x aircraft recovery winch ; 12,000 lbs
Armor
Belt: 6 to 8.5" steel
Deck: 2.5" to 3.7" steel
Forward Bulkhead: 8.5" steel
Broadside Bulkhead: 6" steel
Aft Bulkhead: 3.5" steel
Turrets: 9" face ; 8" sides ; 4.1" roof
Barbettes: 10" above belt ; 8.7" below belt
Conning tower: 5.5" sides ; 3.2" roof
Armament
2 x 14"/45 guns (1 turret; forward)
4 x 12”/45 guns (2 turrets, 1 forward, 1 aft)
12 x 8”/50 guns (12 turrets, 4 aft, 4 port, 4 starboard)
12 x 5.5”/52 guns (6 double along broadsides)
28 x 2 pounder AA guns (mounted along broadsides)
28 x .55 caliber AA guns (mounted along broadsides, superstructure)
8 x 18” torpedo tubes (Javelin, 2 aft, 3 port, 3 starboard; below waterline)
2 x depth charge throwers (aft)
1 x MPAF-3F float recon / light torpedo aero-flyer
Radars
Air Search: RSUC model 174A
Surface Search: RSUC model 111S
Fire Control: RSUC model 211FC "Blindman's Bluff"
Hydrophones: RSUC model 710HP

Ships of the Queen Jessica-class:

HIMS Queen Jessica
HIMS King Ian V
HIMS King James II

The Abwehr's office in OKW's staff building was bustling with activity, as usual. Intelligence officers ran to and fro, carrying documents and reports to various offices. In the office of Kvt. Gunther Hart, three men sat looking over a report on Iansisle's newest warship, the Queen Jessica.
"An unusual configuration, to be sure.." mused Oberleutnant Hans-Günther Brosin.
Unterleutnant Heydrech Volldameier snorted.
"The thing is an antique, and it's not yet even laid down. She'll go down in the first squall she has to sail through, if she doesn't capsize the first time she throws a broadside!"
Korvettenkapitän Hart simply reviewed the design, saying nothing to his two subordinates. While it was true the Queen Jessica had her share of design faults, to simply dismiss her as harmless would be idiotic. The ship's beam was perhaps too narrow, which would affect her seakeeping in rough weather, and her stability as a gun platform was somewhat wanting. Her seakeeping and the limited endurance of her steam turbine engines would limit the areas where she could be deployed, allowing Fleet Command to predict her deployment with a fair amount of accuracy. Her armor was significantly thinner than that of battlecruisers from other nations as well.
However, the Queen Jessica had several advantages over the commerce raiders she was likely to oppose. Her thin lines and light armor belt made her faster than the more heavily armored Deutschland by about 8 knots at full speed. Her guns were heavier as well; the 14" and 12" guns had the advantage of range and power over the 11" main batteries of the German ships. Also, because she carried an additional turret, her fields of fire were better than the Deutschland should she face multiple opponents. And, as was usually the case, the German ship's radar was inferior, especially in poor weather.
It remains to be seen how these ships will compare, Hart thought as his aids busied themselves listing and re-listing the "worthless" ship's faults. Once she puts to sea, then we'll know for sure...

(that reminds me - forgot to put construction details in the article. Jessica will be laid down in three months, but the contractor will be Wright Nautical Construction of Coastal Paradise rather than Jorgenson and Sons, Shipwrights of Ianapalis. Wright is an established shipyard in the manufacture of commercial vessels, but this will be their first modern military contract. Due to predicted inexperiance, Jessica should be finished in twenty to twenty four months. Ian V and James II will be laid down six and twelve months, respectivly, after Jessica, with similar construction schedules.)

Mainwaring regarded the reports with a good deal of satisfaction. He is not quite the military man he likes to think himself, and the seemingly ..classical configuration found his approval.

Yes, they know what it's about. Soon enough their fleets will make the east as secure as ours will make the west. He thought.

The PM invisions a world of old fashioned imperialism and trade across the two great oceans, dominated by British sorts, like Walmington and Iansisle (ooc:I don't know if your people have any British roots or not, but Mainwaring at least views them as the Britons of the Pacific) with the less trustworthy sorts (in his eyes Germans, Russians, southern European sorts such as Italy) contained safely inbetween.

(Well, Iansislean cultural identity is somewhat tricky, and rather requires the suspension of disbelief. "There's no record of the origin of the Tilsitian races" is a good explanation for why a large group of Caucasians have inhabited a nonexistent continent in the North Pacific Ocean for time immemorial. :)

OOCly, Iansislean political culture (overseas colonies, preponderance of the fleet over the army) is largely based upon British (Anglo-Saxon) culture, while popular tendencies (Roman Catholic faith, naming conventions, 'ancestral' language) is based upon British (Celtic) traditions. Then you have the Dominions - Gadsan (Australian), Noropia (French, but they look like Scandinavians), Dianatran (German, with Arabic appearance), Tharia (Italian), and Troobodia (Iberian, though Iansislean immigration has started to dislodge the native Troobodians as the majority).

Mainwaring wouldn't be amiss in his assumption that Iansisle is 'The Britain of the Pacific', because in many ways it is. As for potential hostiles, Japan would probably be Iansisle's number one concern, but I haven't seen it activly RPed in an effective manner, such as D.K. handles Germany. The Russians would also be a concern, though not as pressing. British and French concerns in South East Asia seem like they would be of interest to Iansisle, considering we overlap in Indo-China and Sarawak, but that's...too confusing to be addressed.

Wow, that hardly made sense to me. Hope it does to you! ;) )

(...which reminds me (well, no it doesn't, really, but that's not the point), didn't you express some interest in Graye AeroFlyer's MPAF-3F float recon / light torpedo plane? They are produced, in somewhat limited numbers. Exact statistics are unavailable, but they're based on the MPAF-3 biplane design, with a strengthened airframe and increased power engine. They can carry up to 800 lbs of either extra fuel (for an operational radius of around 250 nm) or a single Lancer light torpedo. Basic variants carry no on board weapons, though a kit to attach two .303 caliber machine guns, regulated through the props, is available, but unadvisable. Basic model cost is 265,000 Gnl per unit.)

ooc: Yep, makes sense to me, I think. Seems to be more or less how I supposed.

We do need a japan eh? I wonder what those Islandians are up to in the modern..ish era? Probably way too advanced, damn.

And yeah, WoS has Swordfish operating as the 'naval' aircraft at the moment -that is to say, a few squadron are based near the coast, and we've a few torpedos knocking about. Not much good for recon, considering we haven't any carriers, and they don't tend to like being dropped in the sea.
Incoming vessels currently don't face much aircraft threat from WoS until maybe 200 miles out at most.

How many crew has the MPAF-3F?

(Oh, and I'm rambling again, we'll take thirty until I can be bothered to design my own, which hopefully will occur when someone points out to us (possibly with AA fire or fighters) that our seaplanes are hopelessly out of date)

(heh, I'm waiting for something similar, myself, but the MPAF-3F is only used on battlecruisers and battleships. The MPAF-5N (the N for naval variant), which actually has about double the range at cruising speeds, is used for scouting on my Mobile Aero-Flyer Docks.

Anyhow, the -3F usually carries a crew of two - one pilot and one spotter / bombadier - but can operate as a spotter with only one, it'd just miss more. Also, it *cough* doesn't come with a builtin wireless unit. Graye's working on that, but I'm sure you could adapt it in your own way.

Getting 30 of them to you may prove difficult. We could always have Salvador deliver them, or hop them across North America, Greenland, and Iceland, or have another naval convoy. We'd provide escort, though Walmingtonish help in the Atlantic would be appreciated, as would waiting for me to finish a few Tiger classes (I suppose that first batch'd be in seatesting right now).)

Mh, yeah, damn those oceans/wingspans/andsoforths.
We could make do with fewer for practicality's sake, as they really would be to tide us over until we figure out exactly what to build ourselves.

Two (crew wise) is good- we might 'ave a go at sticking a machinegun on for one man to fire defensively -although he's probably facing the wrong way come to think of it.. bah, I haven't time for this pondering now!-

We wouldn't want to drag your carr..mobile aero-flyer dock out of service for the sake of a few biplanes, probably. Seems like an unfair return for you, I think.
Still, whatever suits, and Walmington would be glad to go to more or less any length to lay on escorts -the armed forces, significantly the navy, have precious little to do at the moment, and new vessels and aircraft turning out all the time.


Anyhoo, have to get away again. Pip pip.

(Well, depending on how this RP with D.K. goes, the Admiralty may be inclined to send our MAFD, along with a couple fast cruisers and destroyers as escort, to 'assert the freedom of the seas' in the North Atlantic. She missed out on the Dianatranian crisis, so there's never been any real battle test for her.

Not, of course, that I really want to send another dozen or so ships to face the entire German Navy half a world from home, just to test out a single MAFD (which is pronounced, in case anyone cares, like 'shaft' with an m. MPAF is emm-paaf). Of course :)

Later, man!)

ooc:Damn it. Because WoS is shortly to commission the first vessels in several new classes, I've been taking a last look at other peoples' equivalent warships, and I really like the Behemoth class at a second review. Our answer will probably match them in a lot of areas, and fall short in a few. It'd be cheating to change it all so late in the project though, eh? Hehe. I would know.

I don't really have a point, no. Nice boats, them.

(I'd try to compare my rivals to the QJ class, but I'm not too sure which they'd be or where to start! :wink: )

(heh, thanks. Behemoth was a bit of a endevour, because she has the 3/3 turret layout, rather than the 4/2 one I rather prefer (like the ones on Stalwart and Undauntable). Still, I love that picture of the Lion class, and figured this would probably be my last line of heavy battleships ;)

Anyway, since you've not announced any naval plans, I'm inclined to let you change them as much. I've never actually released statistics on Stalwart. I'd imagine she displaces around 25,000 tons, has a 10" belt, can make around 24-26 knots, and has 4 turrets of 2 12" guns. She's due to be retired soon anyhow, so I figure it won't really matter :) )

Hehe, in the end the only changes I made were on a lighter vessel, when after looking at French and German vessels of similar size and displacement I decided I had too much armour (sniffle).

IANAPALIS, IANSISLE - In a rather surprise response to the war, the Admiralty authorized Tuesday the construction of three new warships - of very un-Iansislean designs. Many muttered darkly about Calarcan influence sneaking into the Admiralty. Vice Admiral Cedric Mayfield, the new Spokesperson for the Admiralty, took the podium Thursday to defend the new class of ships, tentatively dubbed 'sub-capital heavy escort cruisers'.

"The Tremendous and her sisters represent a shift to reality in the Admiralty. For too long, we have assumed shipping would be safe on the high seas. Now, a new breed of cowardly enemy who preys on the defenseless merchants has targeted Iansislean interests. We say: let them come. They'll meet only their doom."

The Tremendous, which takes its name from one of the old Glorious class battle-cruisers of the pre-Stalwart days, is not much longer than a Shield-class heavy cruiser, yet displaces twice as much on a beam a third longer. The move to six Mk. XII boilers only provides enough speed to get to twenty two knots, but she has as much as 10" of armor in certain places, and almost as much firepower as the battleship Undauntable.

The simple, practical design lends itself to quick construction times, and it is estimated that the Tremendous will be completing her trials in roughly one year's time. Two other ships, named Superb and Stupendous, will be completed shortly thereafter.

"We will not give in on the high seas," said Admiral Mayfield said at the end of the press conference, pounding the lectern. "To the enemies of free people everywhere," he continued, pointing directly into an IanCorp camera, "Your time has come. Your foul armies will be destroyed. Your cowardly merchant raiders will be swept from the seas. Prepare yourselves."

HIMS Tremendous-class
Dimensions:
Length (overall): 655'6"
Length (waterline): 655'6"
Beam (overall): 76'10"
Beam (waterline): 74'10"
Draft (standard): 28'9"
Draft (maximum): 31'3"
Displacement (standard): 17,250 tons
Displacement (normal): 19,310 tons
Displacement (full): 22,870 tons
Crew: 872
Power and Performance:
Plant: 6 Westerton Mk. XII 3-drum boilers
Turbines: 3 Shell J47
Shafts: 3
Horsepower: 96,200
Max Speed: 22.5 knots
Range: 8,510 nm at 10 knots ; 5,712 nm at 20 knots
Armor
Belt: 8.5" - 9.2" steel
Deck: 4.2" to 5" steel
Forward Bulkhead: 8" steel
Broadside Bulkhead: 4.5" steel
Aft Bulkhead: 3.7" steel
Turrets: 10" face ; 7.5" sides ; 3.5" roof
Barbettes: 10" above belt ; 2.5" below belt
Conning tower: 10" sides ; 4.5" roof
Armament
8 x 12"/52 guns (mounted in 4 turrets, with two forward and two aft)
6 x 4.1"/48 guns (mounted in 2 turrets, one port, one starboard)
16 x 2 pounder AA guns (mounted in 4 turrets, 2 port, 2 starboard
16 x .50 caliber AA guns (mounted along broadsides)
Radars
Air Search: RSUC model 174A
Surface Search: RSUC model 111S
Fire Control: RSUC model 211FC "Blindman's Bluff"

To be built:

HIMS Tremendous
HIMS Superb
HIMS Stupendous

Interesting change of pace. One Walmington has not yet deeply considered, but to be applauded none the less in Great Walmington.

(quick bump)

((bump for posterity - and remembering the days when II wasn't crap.))

Oh, but they're barely twice the size and speed of our newly launched classes! Well, Jessicas are actually more like four times the size of Abargrapts and still twice the speed... we shan't even touch on the all but unarmed condition of our battleships by comparison, but if painted into a corner of obsolescence on the matter Minister of the Navy Rolland Agaboon would probably defend his little ships by an armour comparison.

Thankfully Abargraptines haven't heard the term battlecruiser, and understand steel to be steel wherever and however its made.

Unless its made in Eastgate, in which case it is evil.

Unless its made in Eastgate, in which case it is evil.

((heh.

Oh, and in case you're wondering (which I'm sure you're not, but I'll take any excuse to prattle on) the Jessies were a more or less unmitigated failure. King James II was sunk off Borneo, King Ian V was modified at last moment and great expense (of money and time) to mount 6 x 14"/45s. Queen Jessica met Graf Spee south of Ceyloba (Ceylon) and was nearly beaten by a pocket battleship half her size, forcing her to spend most of the war in drydock.

Now, we mostly use Jessie and KIV to show the flag. Oh, by the way, somewhere around here's another naval thread of mine with the Crown battleships, Alpha destroyers, Duke of Dorchet heavy cruisers, Elemental light cruisers, and Pantheon MAFDs of the Linhower Plan. I'll dig it up sooner or later.))