Iberian AC 1916

[Korpen]

I decided to reduce my range a bit and add some armor.  Just so light AP rounds don't just punch through the ends and risk slowing the ship down...

AC-1916h, Iberia Armored Cruiser laid down 1916

Displacement:
   18,500 t light; 19,253 t standard; 20,901 t normal; 22,219 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   694.33 ft / 688.98 ft x 72.51 ft x 28.22 ft (normal load)
   211.63 m / 210.00 m x 22.10 m  x 8.60 m

Armament:
      6 - 12.01" / 305 mm guns (3x2 guns), 865.70lbs / 392.67kg shells, 1916 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      8 - 5.91" / 150 mm guns (4x2 guns), 102.98lbs / 46.71kg shells, 1916 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on side, all amidships
      4 - 5.91" / 150 mm guns in single mounts, 102.98lbs / 46.71kg shells, 1916 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on side, evenly spread
      4 - 2.95" / 75.0 mm guns in single mounts, 12.87lbs / 5.84kg shells, 1916 Model
     Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 6,481 lbs / 2,940 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 90
   4 - 20.0" / 508 mm submerged torpedo tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   6.50" / 165 mm   463.42 ft / 141.25 m   10.20 ft / 3.11 m
   Ends:   3.94" / 100 mm   225.56 ft / 68.75 m   10.20 ft / 3.11 m
   Upper:   1.97" / 50 mm   463.42 ft / 141.25 m   14.76 ft / 4.50 m
     Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length

   - Armour deck: 1.97" / 50 mm, Conning tower: 6.50" / 165 mm

Given her size I think it would be a good idea to make her main belt a bit more extensive. With a belt just 1,5m below the water line the risk of exposure from wave motion is not insignificant, as well as the risk of splinters from near misses. Think a bit over 4m should be enough, and given the roe of the ship I would be willing to thin the belt or the deck armour to achieve it. Would probably be willing to give up some deck armour first as even 4cm should be enough to protect against most armoured cruiser firs (up to 25cm guns) out to around 14-15km.

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 120,001 shp / 89,521 Kw = 31.55 kts
   Range 14,930nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,965 tons

      - Average freeboard:   24.22 ft / 7.38 m
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.17

Lower freeboard, get more speed? :)


Over all I quite like her, her firepower gives her the ability to dominate against pretty much all armoured, protect and light cruisers. Her speed and range makes her a usefull fleet scout as she would be able to avoid an engagement under if she so choose under most conditions

[miketr]

Thanks for the insiteful comments.  The design is pushed right now with very little room left to push it more without a change in over all size.  As any change to armor just results in stability / steediness issues.  When I get around to a half sister I will attempt to make the changes then.  Will go for a slightly longer hull or something.

Michael