Aztec Ship Designs 1925-1928

[TacCovert4]

For something Completely Different:

There is a lot of infighting within the Royal Navy, mostly between the 'Battle Line' proponents and the 'Fast Task Force' Proponents.  While the Battle Line has always held sway, numerous papers, speeches, and analysis show that for the Royal Navy, it has been its Fast Task Forces that have done the most.  In the Caicos War, the Battle Line sortied forth only to be annihilated in a fight with the larger Roman Line.  That is a situation that has not changed, with all of the European Powers save maybe Iberia having a far superior battle line in numbers and capability.  In the Mayan War, Mayan Airpower was a major factor on land and at sea, and in the engagements at sea it was fast cruisers with solid armor and heavy armament that did the real work, not the battle line which was not able to come to grips with the Mayans on good battle line terms.  And so, in addition to the various large designs being put forth by the Admiralty, proponents of a lighter and faster force, focused around airpower and cruisers, put forth their own design, primarily made as a heavy escort with an main battery that can all fire in the forward arc to ensure solid pursuit performance against enemy cruisers.....with on paper the firepower to contest a running fight against a battleship, though a lot of proponents of this design say that a third main turret should be added.

Conqueror, Aztec Battlecruiser laid down 1928

Displacement:
   34,305 t light; 35,702 t standard; 38,315 t normal; 40,405 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (820.68 ft / 813.65 ft) x 104.99 ft x (28.54 / 29.77 ft)
   (250.14 m / 248.00 m) x 32.00 m  x (8.70 / 9.07 m)

Armament:
      6 - 14.17" / 360 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,435.70lbs / 651.22kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1928 Model
     2 x 3-gun mounts on centreline, forward evenly spread
      1 raised mount
      16 - 5.12" / 130 mm 50.0 cal guns - 70.97lbs / 32.19kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline, aft evenly spread
      1 raised mount
      8 - 2.76" / 70.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 11.08lbs / 5.03kg shells, 300 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 raised mounts
      24 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     12 x Twin mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 9,859 lbs / 4,472 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   12.2" / 310 mm   528.87 ft / 161.20 m   14.76 ft / 4.50 m
   Ends:   2.76" / 70 mm   284.74 ft / 86.79 m   11.48 ft / 3.50 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.57" / 40 mm   528.87 ft / 161.20 m   27.10 ft / 8.26 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 88.58 ft / 27.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   13.8" / 350 mm   5.91" / 150 mm      13.0" / 330 mm
   2nd:   2.76" / 70 mm   1.38" / 35 mm      2.76" / 70 mm
   4th:         -            -         0.98" / 25 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 4.92" / 125 mm
   Forecastle: 1.18" / 30 mm  Quarter deck: 2.76" / 70 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.91" / 150 mm, Aft 5.91" / 150 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 181,482 shp / 135,385 Kw = 32.00 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 4,703 tons

Complement:
   1,369 - 1,780

Cost:
   £11.163 million / $44.652 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 2,084 tons, 5.4 %
      - Guns: 2,084 tons, 5.4 %
   Armour: 12,180 tons, 31.8 %
      - Belts: 4,369 tons, 11.4 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 835 tons, 2.2 %
      - Armament: 1,818 tons, 4.7 %
      - Armour Deck: 4,868 tons, 12.7 %
      - Conning Towers: 289 tons, 0.8 %
   Machinery: 5,650 tons, 14.7 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 13,833 tons, 36.1 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,010 tons, 10.5 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 558 tons, 1.5 %
      - Hull below water: 40 tons
      - Hull above water: 207 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 110 tons
      - Above deck: 201 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     57,314 lbs / 25,997 Kg = 40.3 x 14.2 " / 360 mm shells or 8.5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
   Metacentric height 6.7 ft / 2.1 m
   Roll period: 17.0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 72 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.44
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.09

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.556
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.75 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 28.52 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 66
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  26.25 ft / 8.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      23.23 ft / 7.08 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 84.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 190.5 %
   Waterplane Area: 59,615 Square feet or 5,538 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 180 lbs/sq ft or 881 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.98
      - Longitudinal: 1.16
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

110t - Provision for 4x Armed Spotter Plane, Catapults Aft
208t - 1918 FC
25t - NF Devices
25t - LR Wireless
50t - Flag Bridge
100t - Flag Accommodations
40t - Additional DC Pumps

[TacCovert4]

And the 9 x 360 variation

Conqueror, Aztec Battlecruiser laid down 1928

Displacement:
   38,474 t light; 40,204 t standard; 43,009 t normal; 45,254 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (842.77 ft / 836.61 ft) x 108.27 ft x (30.22 / 31.46 ft)
   (256.88 m / 255.00 m) x 33.00 m  x (9.21 / 9.59 m)

Armament:
      9 - 14.17" / 360 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,435.70lbs / 651.22kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1928 Model
     3 x 3-gun mounts on centreline, forward evenly spread
      1 raised mount
      16 - 5.12" / 130 mm 50.0 cal guns - 70.97lbs / 32.19kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline, aft evenly spread
      1 raised mount
      8 - 2.76" / 70.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 11.08lbs / 5.03kg shells, 300 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 raised mounts
      24 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     12 x Twin mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 14,166 lbs / 6,426 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   12.2" / 310 mm   543.80 ft / 165.75 m   14.76 ft / 4.50 m
   Ends:   2.76" / 70 mm   292.78 ft / 89.24 m   12.30 ft / 3.75 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.57" / 40 mm   543.80 ft / 165.75 m   28.31 ft / 8.63 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 88.58 ft / 27.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   13.8" / 350 mm   5.91" / 150 mm      13.0" / 330 mm
   2nd:   2.76" / 70 mm   1.38" / 35 mm      2.76" / 70 mm
   4th:         -            -         0.98" / 25 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 4.92" / 125 mm
   Forecastle: 1.18" / 30 mm  Quarter deck: 2.76" / 70 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.91" / 150 mm, Aft 5.91" / 150 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 192,678 shp / 143,738 Kw = 32.00 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 5,049 tons

Complement:
   1,493 - 1,941

Cost:
   £13.440 million / $53.760 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 2,976 tons, 6.9 %
      - Guns: 2,976 tons, 6.9 %
   Armour: 13,465 tons, 31.3 %
      - Belts: 4,518 tons, 10.5 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 897 tons, 2.1 %
      - Armament: 2,575 tons, 6.0 %
      - Armour Deck: 5,162 tons, 12.0 %
      - Conning Towers: 312 tons, 0.7 %
   Machinery: 5,999 tons, 13.9 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 15,384 tons, 35.8 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,536 tons, 10.5 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 650 tons, 1.5 %
      - Hull below water: 40 tons
      - Hull above water: 250 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 110 tons
      - Above deck: 250 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     59,114 lbs / 26,814 Kg = 41.5 x 14.2 " / 360 mm shells or 8.5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
   Metacentric height 6.7 ft / 2.1 m
   Roll period: 17.5 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.54
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.556
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.73 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 28.92 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 66
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      22.97 ft / 7.00 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 91.2 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 185.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 63,214 Square feet or 5,873 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 111 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 193 lbs/sq ft or 943 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.98
      - Longitudinal: 1.13
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

110t - Provision for 4x Armed Spotter Plane, Catapults Aft
300t - 1918 FC
25t - NF Devices
25t - LR Wireless
50t - Flag Bridge
100t - Flag Accommodations
40t - Additional DC Pumps

[TacCovert4]

It is a lot of tonnage for cruiser swatting.  But it's not a cruiser-swatting tool.  Primarily it's a capital ship capable of running with the Razees and Battlecruisers I already have....but equipped with guns that can threaten modern capital vessels.  Think of it as a flagship for a fast TF or an escort for more vulnerable ships that have tools to destroy fleets, like carriers.

I'm trying to look at options for how the RAN falls in camps vis a vis carriers vs battleships.  And in the RAN, experience has really shown the battleship (from our perspective) to be too expensive, too few in number, and ultimately ineffective for the investment.  Carriers are unproven but aircraft vs ship is being heavily tested, and even proven in combat to a degree off Martinique.  There is a fast growing segment of the fleet, the cruiser and destroyer side, the 'fast admirals'.....that are rapidly becoming converts to the potential of the Fast Task Force model....which could tip the scales to even things out for the RAN against any potential rival, including European ones.

[Kaiser Kirk]

On the ship, I've evidenced that I don't care for the armor/gun/speed choices...but other folks don't necessarily agree with mine.

I will note that CON hits and loss of FC has recurred repeatedly, though I'm unsure how
many Aztec ships...but you've been in several fights now...so dropping CON armor to 150mm
seems a bit curious. I know the british logic on it, but doesn't seem supported.

Torn on the belt. I kinda view 310 as weak, but it should handle Roman 340 at range,
but won't be enough against the Roman 410. I guess the question is which you expect
in the future. The advantages of weaker belt armor is angle of attack really modifies it,
far more than what you can do about other variables.
I have not had time to figure out the proper penetration numbers to put in Logi's ballistics tool
for the 1920 improved or 1925 advanced capped shells for these specific guns, but I can look at Navweaps
for a general idea.

I'd think you'd want to 'pay' the extra to keep the bow dry ensure full speed in all weather.
You're paying a huge amount of tonnage for 32 knots, be nice to have it always available.
If you can bring down the beam between bulkheads without having to extend the belt, that would be nice,
3m of TDS depth with a simple 40m bulkhead seems a bit shallow.

I'd squawk that the 30mm AA seems excessive, but I don't think it is.
Real Life AA development was choked by treaties and the danger of planes was mostly theoretical. You've had strong evidence
that they can be a real pain in the rear. They didn't stop the mayan warships, but they did sting them. For a fast ship, that's even
more problematic. As best as I can tell, underwater damage has a large speed impact, which seems related to keeping speed below the point where interior bulkheads collapse.  That seems curiously to be under 20knots in most cases- coincidentally the max speed for underwater torpedo tubes without water ingress issues.
Anyhow  I've followed your posted development logic  on the 30mm....I will observe that prior to metal monoplanes, fusing will be the problem as doped fabric doesn't tend to set it off, part of why the US 28mm was problematic.

As for naval tactical evolution....
It's always interesting how different folks look at these things.
During Caicos, the Romans had the big fast heavies...which did precious little.
Ultimately, they came down to a knife fight.
At Veracruz, the slow compact fleet was able to bludgeon it's way forward.
Both instances are stilted by the relative force sizes.

Then off Martinique, the battleline - with minimal AA- took light but important damage from air attack.
That was one of the hallmarks of that conflict - many of the vessels lacked much AA- in many cases any.

I may erred in allowing too many attacks by the air wing, but I really don't have a good guide for how many munitions they carried. I know carriers were good for about 5 full sorties.

I will concede that while both the Mayans and Aztecs wanted (at times) their battlelines to tangle, they did not. However that had a lot to do with the restrictions the two of you were placing on the fleets. 
But the slow Mayan fleet  pretty much went and did what it wanted.

However, its the events on the West coast, where the presence of the Aztec-Japanese heavies that kept the Mayans from destroying the troop convoys. The need to unload over a long extended and exposed beach became a real problem.

The Mayans had multiple unopposed airpoints, and had (behind the scenes) planned that they would try to build up torpedoes for when they could attack. Even then the actual hit rate wasn't great...against stationary and very exposed transports. Again, better AA ..as I recall many of the IJN vessels had nothing other than the handcranked rotaries meant for engaging MTBs, not trained/sighted/designed to track a torpedo plane.

Had the Mayans a Pacific battleline, or been able to transfer ships, that could have gotten very messy.

One additional factor is visibility. Night and storms were the prior modifiers, with SK5 haze and sea fog enter into it.
The chance of encounter drops with reduced visibility, and led to both sides 'missing' encounters with the other, but it was happenstance
that there wasn't a battle where maximum range was limited by atmospherics. Which is a shame, as there is not always 'room' to exploit fire control and range.

Ok, sorry that got long, but fun to think through :)

[TacCovert4]

A few notes, on my phone.

I go for the British style bridge armor in the thought that it's proof against blast and splinters and lighter shells or bombs.  I also do redundant bridges, hence both are armored.  Historically even a heavy conning tower is a command kill.  A heavy shell impacting it will pulp the occupants even without spalling or penetration. So make the bridge as effective as possible and accept a direct hit will kill it.

As for FC,  it's not on the bridge,  it's exposed in superstructure or it's in the Plotting Room under the main deck.  So half of it is incredibly vulnerable,  cost of doing business.

I've been playing with all concepts,  since like the implacable class was a fleet speed increase,  the chosen design will wind up being the new Standard for capital ship speed and concept.

[TacCovert4]

After much debate, the decision is made.  There is a single dock available for truly large capital ships, and low rate production of battleships will continue, though there will no longer be a push to build 2 or three simultaneously, rather to build staggered production ensuring a new battleship coming into service every three to four years.  The further funding and dock space will be put to use on auxiliaries and the new faster vessels.

Conqueror, Aztec Fast Battleship laid down 1928

Displacement:
   46,082 t light; 48,273 t standard; 51,421 t normal; 53,940 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (865.16 ft / 853.02 ft) x 121.39 ft x (31.04 / 32.25 ft)
   (263.70 m / 260.00 m) x 37.00 m  x (9.46 / 9.83 m)

Armament:
      8 - 15.75" / 400 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,969.41lbs / 893.31kg shells, 110 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1928 Model
     4 x 2-gun mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts - superfiring
      20 - 5.12" / 130 mm 50.0 cal guns - 70.97lbs / 32.19kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     10 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      10 - 2.76" / 70.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 11.09lbs / 5.03kg shells, 300 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 raised mounts
      32 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.86lbs / 0.39kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     16 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 17,313 lbs / 7,853 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   14.2" / 360 mm   554.46 ft / 169.00 m   16.40 ft / 5.00 m
   Ends:   2.76" / 70 mm   298.52 ft / 90.99 m   11.48 ft / 3.50 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length
     Main Belt inclined -10.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.18" / 30 mm   554.46 ft / 169.00 m   28.28 ft / 8.62 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 95.14 ft / 29.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   15.7" / 400 mm   9.84" / 250 mm      14.2" / 360 mm
   2nd:   3.15" / 80 mm   1.97" / 50 mm      2.76" / 70 mm
   3rd:   0.79" / 20 mm         -               -
   4th:   0.79" / 20 mm         -         0.79" / 20 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 5.91" / 150 mm
   Forecastle: 1.57" / 40 mm  Quarter deck: 3.15" / 80 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.91" / 150 mm, Aft 5.91" / 150 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 168,927 shp / 126,019 Kw = 30.00 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 5,667 tons

Complement:
   1,706 - 2,219

Cost:
   £15.192 million / $60.768 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 3,512 tons, 6.8 %
      - Guns: 3,512 tons, 6.8 %
   Armour: 17,957 tons, 34.9 %
      - Belts: 5,885 tons, 11.4 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 685 tons, 1.3 %
      - Armament: 3,889 tons, 7.6 %
      - Armour Deck: 7,147 tons, 13.9 %
      - Conning Towers: 352 tons, 0.7 %
   Machinery: 5,259 tons, 10.2 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,469 tons, 35.9 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,339 tons, 10.4 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 885 tons, 1.7 %
      - Hull below water: 100 tons
      - Hull above water: 375 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 110 tons
      - Above deck: 300 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     79,662 lbs / 36,134 Kg = 40.8 x 15.7 " / 400 mm shells or 12.5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
   Metacentric height 8.0 ft / 2.4 m
   Roll period: 18.0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.46
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.05

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.560 / 0.565
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.03 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 29.21 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 67
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 6.56 ft / 2.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  26.25 ft / 8.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      22.16 ft / 6.76 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 81.5 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 179.9 %
   Waterplane Area: 72,947 Square feet or 6,777 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 210 lbs/sq ft or 1,025 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 1.00
      - Longitudinal: 1.00
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform


100t - DC Pumps and Equipment

100t - Additional DC Equipment
100t - Flag Accommodations

110t - 4 x Armed Floatplane and 2 x Catapult Aft

25t - LR Radio
10t - Additional SR Radio
50t - NF Devices x 2
350t - FC 1918
40t - Flag Bridge

Forecastle and Quarterdecks Monolithic.  Main deck 120mm with a 30mm Splinter Deck

[TacCovert4]

And after fixing a couple of odds and ends:

Constellation, Aztec Aircraft Carrier laid down 1928

Displacement:
   22,747 t light; 23,354 t standard; 25,368 t normal; 26,979 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (762.51 ft / 754.59 ft) x 82.02 ft x (26.08 / 27.39 ft)
   (232.41 m / 230.00 m) x 25.00 m  x (7.95 / 8.35 m)

Armament:
      8 - 5.12" / 130 mm 50.0 cal guns - 70.97lbs / 32.19kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts
     2 x Twin mounts on sides forward
      2 double raised mounts
      12 - 2.76" / 70.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 11.09lbs / 5.03kg shells, 300 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     12 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      20 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.86lbs / 0.39kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     10 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 718 lbs / 326 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   3.15" / 80 mm   603.67 ft / 184.00 m   13.12 ft / 4.00 m
   Ends:   1.97" / 50 mm   150.89 ft / 45.99 m   11.48 ft / 3.50 m
     Main Belt covers 123 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.57" / 40 mm   603.67 ft / 184.00 m   24.08 ft / 7.34 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 59.06 ft / 18.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   2.36" / 60 mm   1.57" / 40 mm      2.36" / 60 mm
   3rd:         -            -         0.98" / 25 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 2.76" / 70 mm
   Forecastle: 1.18" / 30 mm  Quarter deck: 1.18" / 30 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 3.15" / 80 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 140,996 shp / 105,183 Kw = 32.00 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3,626 tons

Complement:
   1,004 - 1,306

Cost:
   £5.656 million / $22.623 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 173 tons, 0.7 %
      - Guns: 173 tons, 0.7 %
   Armour: 4,203 tons, 16.6 %
      - Belts: 1,127 tons, 4.4 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 847 tons, 3.3 %
      - Armament: 55 tons, 0.2 %
      - Armour Deck: 2,116 tons, 8.3 %
      - Conning Tower: 59 tons, 0.2 %
   Machinery: 4,390 tons, 17.3 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,203 tons, 32.3 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,621 tons, 10.3 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 5,778 tons, 22.8 %
      - Hull below water: 2,850 tons
      - Hull above water: 2,850 tons
      - Above deck: 78 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     42,450 lbs / 19,255 Kg = 633.3 x 5.1 " / 130 mm shells or 5.1 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.34
   Metacentric height 6.3 ft / 1.9 m
   Roll period: 13.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.09
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.78

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.557
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.20 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 27.47 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 40
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   12.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Forward deck:   40.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Aft deck:   40.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   8.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      29.53 ft / 9.00 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 116.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 242.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 43,194 Square feet or 4,013 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 131 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 117 lbs/sq ft or 571 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.94
      - Longitudinal: 1.59
      - Overall: 1.00
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

18t - 1918 FC
25t - NF Devices
25t - LR Radio
10t - Additional SR Radio

5700t - 60 x Aircraft (Provision for heavier tech expansion)

[TacCovert4]

With some inspiration from Kirk, I'm trying to get that sub 8000t 180mm design.  Made this, but I don't love it. 

Planet Class, Aztec Frigate laid down 1928

Displacement:
   7,998 t light; 8,394 t standard; 9,255 t normal; 9,944 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (528.25 ft / 521.65 ft) x 52.49 ft x (22.75 / 24.05 ft)
   (161.01 m / 159.00 m) x 16.00 m  x (6.93 / 7.33 m)

Armament:
      8 - 7.09" / 180 mm 50.0 cal guns - 188.38lbs / 85.45kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1928 Model
     4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts - superfiring
      8 - 3.94" / 100 mm 50.0 cal guns - 32.30lbs / 14.65kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 2.76" / 70.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 11.08lbs / 5.03kg shells, 300 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     4 x Single mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      10 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 1,818 lbs / 825 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   4.72" / 120 mm   391.24 ft / 119.25 m   11.48 ft / 3.50 m
   Ends:   2.36" / 60 mm   130.38 ft / 39.74 m   9.84 ft / 3.00 m
     Main Belt covers 115 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   4.72" / 120 mm   2.36" / 60 mm      4.72" / 120 mm
   2nd:   2.36" / 60 mm   1.18" / 30 mm            -

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 2.36" / 60 mm
   Forecastle: 1.18" / 30 mm  Quarter deck: 1.57" / 40 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 3.94" / 100 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 3 shafts, 86,022 shp / 64,172 Kw = 32.00 kts
   Range 8,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,550 tons

Complement:
   471 - 613

Cost:
   £3.167 million / $12.669 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 418 tons, 4.5 %
      - Guns: 418 tons, 4.5 %
   Armour: 1,954 tons, 21.1 %
      - Belts: 965 tons, 10.4 %
      - Armament: 171 tons, 1.9 %
      - Armour Deck: 780 tons, 8.4 %
      - Conning Tower: 37 tons, 0.4 %
   Machinery: 2,678 tons, 28.9 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,733 tons, 29.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,257 tons, 13.6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 215 tons, 2.3 %
      - Hull above water: 61 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 83 tons
      - Above deck: 71 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     6,917 lbs / 3,138 Kg = 38.9 x 7.1 " / 180 mm shells or 1.1 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.03
   Metacentric height 2.0 ft / 0.6 m
   Roll period: 15.5 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.78
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.02

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.520 / 0.529
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.94 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 22.84 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 61 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 59
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   15.00 %,  24.61 ft / 7.50 m,  21.65 ft / 6.60 m
      - Forward deck:   40.00 %,  21.65 ft / 6.60 m,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m
      - Quarter deck:   10.00 %,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m
      - Average freeboard:      19.48 ft / 5.94 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 112.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 142.8 %
   Waterplane Area: 18,583 Square feet or 1,726 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 101 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 87 lbs/sq ft or 426 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.83
      - Longitudinal: 1.73
      - Overall: 0.90
   Caution: Hull subject to strain in open-sea
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room

42t - 1918 FC
25t - NF Devices
25t - LR Radio

30t - 1 x Armed Floatplane and Catapult Amidships
32t - 2 x 4 x 21in HW TT Aft

60t - Additional Power T&E Equipment for Main Battery

[Kaiser Kirk]

A few notes, on my phone.

I go for the British style bridge armor in the thought that it's proof against blast and splinters and lighter shells or bombs.  I also do redundant bridges, hence both are armored.  Historically even a heavy conning tower is a command kill.  A heavy shell impacting it will pulp the occupants even without spalling or penetration. So make the bridge as effective as possible and accept a direct hit will kill it.

As for FC,  it's not on the bridge,  it's exposed in superstructure or it's in the Plotting Room under the main deck.  So half of it is incredibly vulnerable,  cost of doing business.

I've been playing with all concepts,  since like the implacable class was a fleet speed increase,  the chosen design will wind up being the new Standard for capital ship speed and concept.

One thing I've been meaning to circle round to Rocky on is he noted once his aux con wasn't showing weight changes. It does on my SSs... so must be a version thing.

I'm aware of the British thinking, but I'm pretty sure there's been con hits defeated, and loss of con here. For the Brits it was more theoretical, but as I recall they did expect the shock to be rather extreme.
FC is generally at best splinter protected, but on a number of designs the long base rangefinders are high on the bridgework superstructure.
On my Varzya class, I provided armored FC towers...rather massive amount of tonnage for that.

As for speed... you have the odd situation that even now that you've made nice with the Romans...they would be the most dangerous if the situation reverted.
So high speed to avoid being pinned by their superior numbers can be a real consideration.

Probably my biggest points are that
A) AA in the Mayan war was pretty minimal. The IJN had old FC and virtually no AA, the Mayans had 2-4 47mm /ship. 
B) The Japanese-Aztec capital ships were why the amphibious transports were even feasible, and the presence of the Mayan battlefleet probably meant using the better harbor on the East coast was a non-starter. The lack of contact does not change that each achieved their goals.

...and now my brain is signaling it want to quit on me a couple hours earlier than normal.... so I'll wander off.

[TacCovert4]

The oldest active ships in the fleet are the MS-1 class mine warfare vessels.  They've given yeoman service for two decades, but modern ASW and AA systems, as well as modernized fire control, radios, detection equipment, etc.  So a general patrol vessel replacement is in order.  While it's not a minelayer, enough space for mines is aboard to allow it to build and maintain defensive minefields.  A pair of torpedo tubes give it the ability to threaten a larger vessel, and an ASW and AA suite set it for escorting coastal convoys, or even crossing the Caribbean on convoy duty.

MS-28, Aztec Offshore Patrol Vessel laid down 1928

Displacement:
   700 t light; 730 t standard; 788 t normal; 833 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (202.52 ft / 196.85 ft) x 27.23 ft x (9.02 / 9.45 ft)
   (61.73 m / 60.00 m) x 8.30 m  x (2.75 / 2.88 m)

Armament:
      1 - 5.12" / 130 mm 50.0 cal gun - 70.97lbs / 32.19kg shells, 150 per gun
     Quick firing gun in deck mount, 1928 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, forward deck centre
      1 - 2.76" / 70.0 mm 50.0 cal gun - 11.08lbs / 5.03kg shells, 200 per gun
     Anti-air gun in deck mount, 1928 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck centre
      8 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 2,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1928 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 89 lbs / 40 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.18" / 30 mm         -               -
   2nd:   0.79" / 20 mm         -               -

   - Box over magazines:
   1.18" / 30 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 1.18" / 30 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Diesel Internal combustion motors,
   Geared drive, 0 shafts, 6,848 shp / 5,109 Kw = 22.00 kts
   Range 2,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 103 tons
     Caution: Too much power for number of propellor shafts

Complement:
   73 - 96

Cost:
   £0.227 million / $0.906 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 19 tons, 2.4 %
      - Guns: 19 tons, 2.4 %
   Armour: 18 tons, 2.3 %
      - Armament: 4 tons, 0.5 %
      - Armour Deck: 12 tons, 1.5 %
      - Conning Tower: 2 tons, 0.3 %
   Machinery: 213 tons, 27.1 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 232 tons, 29.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 88 tons, 11.2 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 218 tons, 27.7 %
      - Hull below water: 80 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 85 tons
      - Above deck: 53 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     864 lbs / 392 Kg = 12.9 x 5.1 " / 130 mm shells or 0.5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
   Metacentric height 0.9 ft / 0.3 m
   Roll period: 11.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.15
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.570 / 0.576
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.23 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 14.03 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 70 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 48
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  15.58 ft / 4.75 m,  15.58 ft / 4.75 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  15.58 ft / 4.75 m,  15.58 ft / 4.75 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m
      - Average freeboard:      11.89 ft / 3.63 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 106.5 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 112.4 %
   Waterplane Area: 3,710 Square feet or 345 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 111 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 34 lbs/sq ft or 168 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.76
      - Longitudinal: 4.09
      - Overall: 0.90
   Caution: Hull subject to strain in open-sea
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room

75t - Diesel Engines
5t - Hydrophones

15t - Minesweeping Equipment
4t - DC Throwers
18t - Depth Charges
8t - 2 x 1 x 21in HW TT
50t - Space for Mines


3t - 1918 FC
25t - LR Radio
25t - NF Devices

[Jefgte]

Excellent multi-purpose vessel.
Byzantium needs to increase its fleet of small multi-purpose ships.
A kind of half Destroyer.

[The Rock Doctor]

It certainly looks handy.

[Kaiser Kirk]

No shaft :)

I dunno, it seems like we default to 25t for various Misc weights we have no idea on, like MS gear.

My PS-1 and PS-2 series of aux patrol vessels fill that role for me.
I think they are a handy and needed chunk of the navy, even if they don't have a direct fleet role.

I would take the design and either do what I did and go aux :)
or  shoot for the 0.75 comp hull of the <=3000t cruisers. 

[TacCovert4]

No shaft :)

I dunno, it seems like we default to 25t for various Misc weights we have no idea on, like MS gear.

My PS-1 and PS-2 series of aux patrol vessels fill that role for me.
I think they are a handy and needed chunk of the navy, even if they don't have a direct fleet role.

I would take the design and either do what I did and go aux :)
or  shoot for the 0.75 comp hull of the <=3000t cruisers.

I forgot about the .75.  Time to make it a lot better. 

Also yes, need to note two shafts.  I designed this at 2am

[Kaiser Kirk]

I forgot about the .75.  Time to make it a lot better. 

Also yes, need to note two shafts.  I designed this at 2am

I know that feeling, I can tinker with ship designs while partially awake, or watching TV.