Aztec Ship Designs 1929-1934

[The Rock Doctor]

For me the small fry are largely about coverage rather than concentration.  Four wee decks lack the firepower of one big one but can be in multiple places and observe a larger area.

I'll get to the big lads in the thirties.

[TacCovert4]

For me the small fry are largely about coverage rather than concentration.  Four wee decks lack the firepower of one big one but can be in multiple places and observe a larger area.

I'll get to the big lads in the thirties.

If the question is no flattops or flattops, I concur that even small and weak flattop is better than no flattop.  I'm just debating whether doctrinally these work for me.  Basically what I really need in my situation are the Armoured Carriers like the Illustrious class.  But that's not really doable right now, so for now I'm doing other options.  Doctrinally for the Sultanate, outside of convoy escort, I just don't really find a good place to slot these in, not when I have somewhat larger Martinique-class carriers with a lot more utility and survivability.  If I had a need to put real carriers worldwide though, in some ways like Vilnius or Parthia or Byzantium have to do, it would make a lot more sense.

In the end, I don't think that I'll be doing a completely unarmored small escort carrier myself, in favor of cruiser-carriers for colonial and scouting force duties, Seaplane Tenders for colonial duties, and light and fleet carriers for the Scouting and Battle force respectively.

[Jefgte]

For Byzantium, these small 9000t aircraft carriers will be assigned to the aerial protection of the fleet and reconnaissance.
Equipped only with fighters, no bombers, no torpedo boats.
The defense and protection of the fleet vs bombers and torpedoes will be their priority.
These fighters could possibly carry small bombs (2x25kg max) to carry out small attack missions.
In addition, they will be able to recover planes from other damaged large aircraft carriers and... save pilots.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Looking at Rocky's 'rapid build carrier', I fiddled one up that meets my standards.  It's not a gunfighter, and doesn't have any armor to speak of.  But 30kts, 20 aircraft, 3 HY Completion Time......and under 150m length so she can be built in any of my DD-CL docks instead of in my capital ship docks.

These small aircraft carriers are an interesting solution because they multiply the number of flat decks and only require a few BP.

After I'm done with the initial run of Bazdari class fighter carriers...which are essentially this style, I may follow the same light carrier path.

USN exercises found carriers to be very vulnerable to a number of things - not just surface combatants (as plane ranges were so short, they needed to be near the 'front'), but particularly to first strike taking out decks. I expect that would be apparent in our nations exercises.
Also, we lack the treaty forcing conversion of BBs/BCs to CVs and the subsequent 'large' carriers which gave operation experience on large airgroups ...it's all missing.

So..lots of small dispersed platforms, multiplying the launch rate - after all a bigger carrier doesn't launch faster- and dispersing the vulnerability seems like a logical path

I will indulge in a couple strike platforms, just to get a full bomber squadron off, and those I'm thinking I'll have their 'sides' as walls of casemented AA guns.

[TacCovert4]

To which my mode is to go with something bigger, but a lot more capable and survivable.  Though still 'light' enough that it's only a 2 year build.  Such as this....the foc'stle takeoff deck may wind up being a feature and not a bug, if it allows for even faster deployment of escorting fighters.

Martinique Mk2, Aztec Aircraft Carrier laid down 1932

Displacement:
   14,997 t light; 15,488 t standard; 17,016 t normal; 18,239 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (615.88 ft / 609.91 ft) x 68.90 ft x (26.25 / 27.72 ft)
   (187.72 m / 185.90 m) x 21.00 m  x (8.00 / 8.45 m)

Armament:
      12 - 3.54" / 90.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 24.01lbs / 10.89kg shells, 400 per gun
     Dual purpose guns in deck mounts, 1932 Model
     6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 2.11lbs / 0.96kg shells, 4,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1932 Model
     4 x 4 row quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1932 Model
     16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 336 lbs / 152 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Ends:   Unarmoured

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.02" / 26 mm   420.83 ft / 128.27 m   23.92 ft / 7.29 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 52.49 ft / 16.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.38" / 35 mm   0.98" / 25 mm            -
   2nd:   0.98" / 25 mm   0.98" / 25 mm      0.98" / 25 mm
   3rd:   0.79" / 20 mm         -               -

   - Protected deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 2.76" / 70 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 1.97" / 50 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 92,285 shp / 68,844 Kw = 30.00 kts
   Range 10,300nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,751 tons

Complement:
   744 - 968

Cost:
   £4.227 million / $16.907 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 77 tons, 0.5 %
      - Guns: 77 tons, 0.5 %
   Armour: 1,744 tons, 10.2 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 381 tons, 2.2 %
      - Armament: 71 tons, 0.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,264 tons, 7.4 %
      - Conning Tower: 28 tons, 0.2 %
   Machinery: 2,724 tons, 16.0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,500 tons, 32.3 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,019 tons, 11.9 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 4,953 tons, 29.1 %
      - Hull below water: 2,410 tons
      - Hull above water: 2,410 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 65 tons
      - Above deck: 68 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     29,414 lbs / 13,342 Kg = 1,322.4 x 3.5 " / 90 mm shells or 3.4 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.29
   Metacentric height 4.5 ft / 1.4 m
   Roll period: 13.6 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 72 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.05
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has low forecastle,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.540 / 0.548
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.85 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 24.70 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 36
   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:   25.00 %,  16.40 ft / 5.00 m,  16.40 ft / 5.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  32.81 ft / 10.00 m,  32.81 ft / 10.00 m
      - Aft deck:   39.00 %,  32.81 ft / 10.00 m,  32.81 ft / 10.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   6.00 %,  32.81 ft / 10.00 m,  32.81 ft / 10.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      28.71 ft / 8.75 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 112.1 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 244.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 29,053 Square feet or 2,699 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 138 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 101 lbs/sq ft or 494 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.89
      - Longitudinal: 2.87
      - 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

4560t - 48 x Aircraft (1933 Compatible) (2F sqn, 1B Sqn, 1 Scouting Squadron)
25t - LR Radio
10t - Additional SR Radio (for air group control)
8t - 1918 FC
25t - NF Devices
15t - 2 x Catapult on Main Flight Deck.  1 x Catapult on Fo'cstle Flight Deck.
50t - On Deck Firefighting Equipment
100t - In Hangar Firefighting Equipment
100t - Additional Pumps and Damage Control Equipment
60t - Additional External Ventilation and Fans


Fo'cstle deck is take-off deck leading into Hangar. 

[TacCovert4]

And in the vein of something that can be produced quickly and cheaply, though still with some level of protection.  Note that while being about 3/4 the tonnage of the Martinique, and having far less protection and facilities, these give less than half the air group.  Economies of scale just work on a carrier unfortunately.  The point is conceded that a lot of flight decks can be valuable, and I may wind up laying these down as an option before 1931.5 brings about my ability to lay down ships with DP weapons.  Air group would be 12 Fighters, 6 Attack Aircraft, and 4 Scouts

CVE Experimental, Aztec Aircraft Carrier laid down 1930

Displacement:
   9,018 t light; 9,350 t standard; 10,484 t normal; 11,391 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (574.40 ft / 563.65 ft) x 59.06 ft x (19.69 / 21.04 ft)
   (175.08 m / 171.80 m) x 18.00 m  x (6.00 / 6.41 m)

Armament:
      8 - 3.94" / 100 mm 50.0 cal guns - 32.30lbs / 14.65kg shells, 250 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1930 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 2.11lbs / 0.96kg shells, 4,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1930 Model
     4 x 4 row quad mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      16 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1930 Model
     16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 306 lbs / 139 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.26" / 32 mm         -               -
   2nd:   0.98" / 25 mm   0.98" / 25 mm      0.98" / 25 mm

   - Box over magazines:
   2.36" / 60 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 1.26" / 32 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 80,815 shp / 60,288 Kw = 31.00 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,041 tons

Complement:
   517 - 673

Cost:
   £2.839 million / $11.354 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 72 tons, 0.7 %
      - Guns: 72 tons, 0.7 %
   Armour: 118 tons, 1.1 %
      - Armament: 47 tons, 0.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 58 tons, 0.6 %
      - Conning Tower: 13 tons, 0.1 %
   Machinery: 2,449 tons, 23.4 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 4,113 tons, 39.2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,466 tons, 14.0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 2,266 tons, 21.6 %
      - Hull below water: 1,070 tons
      - Hull above water: 1,095 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 35 tons
      - Above deck: 66 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     16,240 lbs / 7,366 Kg = 532.3 x 3.9 " / 100 mm shells or 1.6 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.22
   Metacentric height 3.3 ft / 1.0 m
   Roll period: 13.7 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.08
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.560 / 0.569
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.54 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23.74 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 35
   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:   25.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Aft deck:   39.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   6.00 %,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m,  29.53 ft / 9.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      29.53 ft / 9.00 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 101.5 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 255.1 %
   Waterplane Area: 23,449 Square feet or 2,178 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 140 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 84 lbs/sq ft or 410 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.85
      - Longitudinal: 4.33
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate 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

25t - NF Devices
25t - LR Radio
10t - Additional SR Radio
6t - 1918 FC

10t - 2 x Catapult on Flight Deck
25t - Additional Firefighting Equipment and DC Equipment on Deck

25t - Additional Firefighting Equipment in Hangar
25t - Additional Ventilation

25t - Additional DC Pumps

2090t - 22 x Aircraft (1933 Compatible)

[TacCovert4]

And then we have this.  Neither fish nor fowl.  33% heavier than the CVE, slightly lighter than the Light Fleet Carrier.  Is armored like a cruiser, has a 16 plane air group.  But incidentally also has half the main armament of a Town-class Cruiser, with 2 x Triple 180s forward (though not superfiring).  With only 16 in the air group, I can't do a traditional squadron split.  I'd probably do 10 fighters and 6 attack/recon aircraft (Torpedo Bombers early on, advancing to Dive Bombers when the tech improves).

AC 1932, Aztec Through-Deck Cruiser laid down 1930

Displacement:
   12,500 t light; 13,003 t standard; 14,391 t normal; 15,501 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (646.33 ft / 639.76 ft) x 70.54 ft x (20.67 / 21.91 ft)
   (197.00 m / 195.00 m) x 21.50 m  x (6.30 / 6.68 m)

Armament:
      6 - 7.09" / 180 mm 50.0 cal guns - 188.38lbs / 85.45kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1930 Model
     2 x 3-gun mounts on centreline, forward evenly spread
      12 - 3.94" / 100 mm 50.0 cal guns - 32.30lbs / 14.65kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1930 Model
     6 x Twin mounts on sides, aft evenly spread
      8 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 2.11lbs / 0.96kg shells, 4,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1930 Model
     2 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      4 raised mounts
      20 - 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, 1930 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 1,552 lbs / 704 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   3.94" / 100 mm   435.04 ft / 132.60 m   11.48 ft / 3.50 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 105 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.18" / 30 mm   435.04 ft / 132.60 m   18.83 ft / 5.74 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 55.77 ft / 17.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   3.54" / 90 mm   2.99" / 76 mm      3.54" / 90 mm
   2nd:   2.36" / 60 mm   1.38" / 35 mm            -
   3rd:   0.98" / 25 mm   0.98" / 25 mm      0.98" / 25 mm
   4th:   0.98" / 25 mm         -         0.98" / 25 mm

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 2.17" / 55 mm

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

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 81,864 shp / 61,070 Kw = 30.00 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,498 tons

Complement:
   656 - 854

Cost:
   £3.886 million / $15.546 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 435 tons, 3.0 %
      - Guns: 435 tons, 3.0 %
   Armour: 2,530 tons, 17.6 %
      - Belts: 811 tons, 5.6 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 358 tons, 2.5 %
      - Armament: 258 tons, 1.8 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,053 tons, 7.3 %
      - Conning Tower: 50 tons, 0.3 %
   Machinery: 2,481 tons, 17.2 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,341 tons, 37.1 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,891 tons, 13.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 1,712 tons, 11.9 %
      - Hull below water: 790 tons
      - Hull above water: 790 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 40 tons
      - Above deck: 92 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     27,933 lbs / 12,670 Kg = 157.0 x 7.1 " / 180 mm shells or 3.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.29
   Metacentric height 4.7 ft / 1.4 m
   Roll period: 13.7 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.26
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.84

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise aft of midbreak,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.540 / 0.549
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.07 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 25.29 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 38
   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:   18.00 %,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m,  18.04 ft / 5.50 m
      - Aft deck:   38.00 %,  34.45 ft / 10.50 m,  34.45 ft / 10.50 m
      - Quarter deck:   14.00 %,  34.45 ft / 10.50 m,  34.45 ft / 10.50 m
      - Average freeboard:      26.57 ft / 8.10 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 99.4 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 246.5 %
   Waterplane Area: 31,201 Square feet or 2,899 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 136 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 108 lbs/sq ft or 526 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.93
      - Longitudinal: 1.99
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate 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


AW
25t - LR Wireless
25t - NF Devices
44t - 1918 FC

OD
20t - 4 x Catapult (On Sides of Deck)
20t - Additional Firefighting Equipment on the Flight Deck

AW
30t - Additional Firefighting Equipment in Hangar
760t - Aviation (Total Flight Group 16 Aircraft, 1933 Tech Compatible)

BW
30t - Additional DC Equipment and Pumps
760t - Aviation Support

[The Rock Doctor]

Handy that the air group limits from the waterplane area and miscellaneous weight are equal. 

Not a bad combo overall.

[TacCovert4]

Yep.  I think I'm 2 aircraft shy of the Waterplane limit for the aviation cruiser.   But without making a substantially larger ship, that's the best I can do.  The 6 x 180 isn't ideal, but without a quad, it's just too much boat to put both a full gun battery and a working flight Complement.   If you look back you can see a seaplane carrier with hangar that can function as a full up cruiser.   

Thing I do like about this aviation cruiser versus the first variant I designed......I go back to having a functional deck and belt instead of relying on a protective deck to support the belt.

[Kaiser Kirk]

....the foc'stle takeoff deck may wind up being a feature and not a bug, if it allows for even faster deployment of escorting fighters.

I'm rather intending on having flying off decks for at least a while. They were less successful than expected, and seem to have passed out of regular use with monoplanes. Though the desire to quickly get planes off led Enterprise to have a broadside catapult !
I'll actually scrutinize the various designs later :)

[TacCovert4]

With multiple large hulls being laid down in this timeframe, a new lighter 'frigate' type needs to be designed since it is unlikely that continuous production of the Lake class will be possible.

Planet Class, Aztec Frigate laid down 1932

Displacement:
   7,836 t light; 8,275 t standard; 9,196 t normal; 9,932 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (527.81 ft / 521.65 ft) x 55.77 ft x (21.27 / 22.58 ft)
   (160.88 m / 159.00 m) x 17.00 m  x (6.48 / 6.88 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, 1932 Model
     4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts - superfiring
      8 - 3.54" / 90.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 24.01lbs / 10.89kg shells, 400 per gun
     Dual purpose guns in deck mounts, 1932 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      8 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 2.11lbs / 0.96kg shells, 4,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1932 Model
     2 x 4 row quad mounts on centreline, forward deck aft
      2 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, 1932 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 1,725 lbs / 782 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   4.53" / 115 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

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      0.79" / 20 mm   391.24 ft / 119.25 m   20.41 ft / 6.22 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 55.77 ft / 17.00 m

   - 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            -
   3rd:   1.06" / 27 mm   1.06" / 27 mm      1.06" / 27 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 4.53" / 115 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 3 shafts, 75,795 shp / 56,543 Kw = 31.00 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,658 tons

Complement:
   469 - 610

Cost:
   £3.453 million / $13.814 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 410 tons, 4.5 %
      - Guns: 410 tons, 4.5 %
   Armour: 2,219 tons, 24.1 %
      - Belts: 933 tons, 10.2 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 233 tons, 2.5 %
      - Armament: 181 tons, 2.0 %
      - Armour Deck: 829 tons, 9.0 %
      - Conning Tower: 43 tons, 0.5 %
   Machinery: 2,237 tons, 24.3 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,755 tons, 30.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,360 tons, 14.8 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 214 tons, 2.3 %
      - Hull above water: 61 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 83 tons
      - Above deck: 70 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     9,432 lbs / 4,278 Kg = 53.0 x 7.1 " / 180 mm shells or 1.6 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.08
   Metacentric height 2.4 ft / 0.7 m
   Roll period: 15.1 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.61
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.01

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: 9.35 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 22.84 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 60
   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 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Forward deck:   40.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  17.22 ft / 5.25 m
      - Quarter deck:   10.00 %,  17.22 ft / 5.25 m,  17.22 ft / 5.25 m
      - Average freeboard:      19.21 ft / 5.85 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 98.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 153.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 19,745 Square feet or 1,834 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 89 lbs/sq ft or 435 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.85
      - Longitudinal: 1.50
      - Overall: 0.90
   Caution: Hull subject to strain in open-sea
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room


41t - 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

[TacCovert4]

Princess Royal, Aztec Razee laid down 1931

Displacement:
   18,290 t light; 19,241 t standard; 21,008 t normal; 22,422 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (726.70 ft / 721.78 ft) x 85.30 ft x (21.33 / 22.47 ft)
   (221.50 m / 220.00 m) x 26.00 m  x (6.50 / 6.85 m)

Armament:
      9 - 9.45" / 240 mm 50.0 cal guns - 446.53lbs / 202.54kg shells, 120 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1931 Model
     3 x 3-gun mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
      1 raised mount - superfiring
      14 - 4.72" / 120 mm 50.0 cal guns - 55.82lbs / 25.32kg shells, 400 per gun
     Dual purpose guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1931 Model
     6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
     1 x Twin mount on centreline, aft deck centre
      1 raised mount
      16 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 2.11lbs / 0.96kg shells, 4,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1931 Model
     4 x 4 row quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      20 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1931 Model
     10 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 4,851 lbs / 2,201 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   5.51" / 140 mm   469.16 ft / 143.00 m   14.76 ft / 4.50 m
   Ends:   3.15" / 80 mm   252.59 ft / 76.99 m   11.48 ft / 3.50 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length
     Main Belt inclined -15.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.18" / 30 mm   469.16 ft / 143.00 m   19.16 ft / 5.84 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 72.18 ft / 22.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   7.09" / 180 mm   3.94" / 100 mm      5.51" / 140 mm
   2nd:   2.76" / 70 mm   1.57" / 40 mm      2.76" / 70 mm
   3rd:   0.98" / 25 mm   0.98" / 25 mm      0.98" / 25 mm
   4th:   0.79" / 20 mm         -         0.79" / 20 mm

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 3.35" / 85 mm
   Forecastle: 1.06" / 27 mm  Quarter deck: 1.38" / 35 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.53" / 115 mm, Aft 4.53" / 115 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 108,216 shp / 80,729 Kw = 30.50 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3,181 tons

Complement:
   872 - 1,134

Cost:
   £6.991 million / $27.964 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1,465 tons, 7.0 %
      - Guns: 1,465 tons, 7.0 %
   Armour: 5,683 tons, 27.1 %
      - Belts: 1,939 tons, 9.2 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 393 tons, 1.9 %
      - Armament: 815 tons, 3.9 %
      - Armour Deck: 2,388 tons, 11.4 %
      - Conning Towers: 149 tons, 0.7 %
   Machinery: 3,236 tons, 15.4 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,606 tons, 36.2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,718 tons, 12.9 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 299 tons, 1.4 %
      - Hull above water: 71 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 100 tons
      - Above deck: 128 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     33,757 lbs / 15,312 Kg = 80.0 x 9.4 " / 240 mm shells or 5.0 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.14
   Metacentric height 5.0 ft / 1.5 m
   Roll period: 16.0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.42
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.10

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.560 / 0.567
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.46 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 26.87 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 64
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 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 %,  27.89 ft / 8.50 m,  24.61 ft / 7.50 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  24.61 ft / 7.50 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 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:      21.67 ft / 6.60 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 87.4 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 197.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 43,374 Square feet or 4,030 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 121 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 140 lbs/sq ft or 684 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 1.00
      - Longitudinal: 1.02
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

25t - LR Radio
25t - NF Devices
149t - 1918 FC
40t - 2x5x21in HW TT on sides Aft
60t - 2 x Catapult and Armed Floatplane

[TacCovert4]

This is most definitely a first draft of the next step from the Uhlans. 

The Mk1 Uhlans have a 180mm belt.  The Mk2 Uhlans only have a 127mm belt.  Generally the Mk2 Uhlans are more lightly protected in exchange for a heavier secondary battery of 130mm guns, a heavier anti-air suite, 2 extra torpedoes, 2 floatplanes, and a savings of around 1500 tons for construction.

My aim with this class is to get all of the firepower improvements anticipated in 1931 into a cruiser, keep it with around the same speed if not slightly faster, and get the armor scheme as close to or at the Uhlan scheme as possible.

But I also have to consider the cost, because I have multiple large building projects and refit projects that will be going on simultaneously.

The Mk2 Uhlan cost ~3300t per HY for 5HY
The Mk1 Uhlan cost ~3500t per HY for 5HY
With the modifications I already know I need to make to increase the armor a bit, this ship is going to cost 3800t per HY for 5HY

I guess the fun question to pose to everyone is thus:

A)  Do I go with the 90mm DPAA for the primary secondary battery, that'll save a LOT of tonnage that I can put into protection or speed and either cut weight closer to the Mk1 Uhlan or keep the weight the same and have a better protected and faster cruiser?

B)  Do I do other things to save weight?

C)  Is a 140mm inclined belt with an 85mm deck more than sufficient to the task (fighting cruisers up to light battlecruisers with guns that are tending between 220-260mm (though my own ones have 280mm guns too))?

D)  Do I increase the ship's size to about 21200 tons, which is ~3550 tons per HY for 6HY, take the 6 months more of build time and potentially take this ship up to 12 x 240mm guns?

[Jefgte]

D)  Do I increase the ship's size to about 21200 tons, which is ~3550 tons per HY for 6HY, take the 6 months more of build time and potentially take this ship up to 12 x 240mm guns?

2 set of 2T3x240 allows you to engage 2 targets at the same time.

---------------------------

Byzantium had a 18000t panzerschiff project for 1929.
2T3x343 + 6T2x120 + 24x40 + 24x12.7 + 2x3TTx533 HW
B230-40 - Bkh45 - D90-30
T255-75 - Bbte 230
29kts - 12000nm@12kts
This ship will not be built because Byzantium is preparing complementary ships for Australia conquest.

[TacCovert4]

D)  Do I increase the ship's size to about 21200 tons, which is ~3550 tons per HY for 6HY, take the 6 months more of build time and potentially take this ship up to 12 x 240mm guns?

2 set of 2T3x240 allows you to engage 2 targets at the same time.

---------------------------

Byzantium had a 18000t panzerschiff project for 1929.
2T3x343 + 6T2x120 + 24x40 + 24x12.7 + 2x3TTx533 HW
B230-40 - Bkh45 - D90-30
T255-75 - Bbte 230
29kts - 12000nm@12kts
This ship will not be built because Byzantium is preparing complementary ships for Australia conquest.

Good point.  The upsize might give more capability.   

I have been playing with a 2T3 360, 30kt, but I need to get it under 27,000t or its not viable for my build program.