Aztec Ships of the Mid Thirties, a Tale of Three Navies

[TacCovert4]

And finally for 1934 Consideration, a significant update of the Martinique type.  Compared to the Orion it's 20 fewer aircraft in the hangar at a savings of just over 6000t.  But it can be produced both faster and cheaper, which may allow for greater numbers of carriers. 

Martinique, Aztec Aircraft Carrier laid down 1934

Displacement:
   13,754 t light; 14,215 t standard; 15,462 t normal; 16,460 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (599.21 ft / 587.27 ft) x 68.90 ft x (23.88 / 25.11 ft)
   (182.64 m / 179.00 m) x 21.00 m  x (7.28 / 7.65 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, 1934 Model
     6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 2.07lbs / 0.94kg shells, 4,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1934 Model
     4 x 4 row quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
      20 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1934 Model
     20 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      20 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 339 lbs / 154 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   3.15" / 80 mm   405.22 ft / 123.51 m   9.97 ft / 3.04 m
   Ends:   1.97" / 50 mm   182.02 ft / 55.48 m   9.97 ft / 3.04 m
     Main Belt covers 106 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.18" / 30 mm   405.22 ft / 123.51 m   22.05 ft / 6.72 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 55.77 ft / 17.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.97" / 50 mm   1.18" / 30 mm            -
   2nd:   0.79" / 20 mm   0.79" / 20 mm      0.79" / 20 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 1.97" / 50 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 89,733 shp / 66,940 Kw = 30.00 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,245 tons

Complement:
   693 - 901

Cost:
   £4.252 million / $17.008 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 77 tons, 0.5 %
      - Guns: 77 tons, 0.5 %
   Armour: 2,305 tons, 14.9 %
      - Belts: 660 tons, 4.3 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 390 tons, 2.5 %
      - Armament: 63 tons, 0.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,166 tons, 7.5 %
      - Conning Tower: 26 tons, 0.2 %
   Machinery: 2,581 tons, 16.7 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,462 tons, 35.3 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,708 tons, 11.0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 3,328 tons, 21.5 %
      - Hull below water: 1,600 tons
      - Hull above water: 1,600 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 60 tons
      - Above deck: 68 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     29,649 lbs / 13,449 Kg = 1,333.0 x 3.5 " / 90 mm shells or 3.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.26
   Metacentric height 4.4 ft / 1.3 m
   Roll period: 13.9 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.05
   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 / 0.567
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.52 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 24.23 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
   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 %,  32.81 ft / 10.00 m,  32.81 ft / 10.00 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:      32.81 ft / 10.00 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 98.4 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 257.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 28,504 Square feet or 2,648 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 140 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 95 lbs/sq ft or 463 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.85
      - Longitudinal: 4.28
      - 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

3040t - 32 Aircraft
25t - LR Radio
10t - Additional SR Radio (for air group control)
8t - 1930 FC
25t - NF Devices
10t - 2 x Catapult in Forward Flight Deck
50t - On Deck Firefighting Equipment
60t - In Hangar Firefighting Equipment
60t - Additional DC Pumps and Lockers

[Jefgte]

... Compared to the Orion it's 20 fewer aircraft in the hangar at a savings of just over 6000t.  But it can be produced both faster and cheaper, which may allow for greater numbers of carriers.

It's relevant not to put all the eggs in one basket.

[Kaiser Kirk]

The reports on wargames in this era seemed to think whomever struck the opposing carriers first would easily knock them out of action, and so have air superiority. So having several platforms gives better redundancy.

The +20 do make a decent size strike group though :)....only a light cruiser in cost...

[TacCovert4]

Playing around with ideas for a late 1930s run of cruiser.  As it stands, lighter vessels will be filling up my mid-30s designs for the most part, with a planned one-off patrol cruiser to supplement/replace the Penguin in the Terra Del Fuego station, but that station requires a very special set of requirements for an icebreaker-cruiser.

Looking at possible new guns as well, principally a deck and hoist for the 90mm DP gun when I refresh it, and a more powerful 180mm gun, possibly a /55 caliber variant with a heavy shell to get its performance closer to the 8in gun class without the additional weight. 

The following is a VERY early conceptual design:

Mountain, Aztec Frigate laid down 1939

Displacement:
   9,995 t light; 10,650 t standard; 11,582 t normal; 12,328 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (594.97 ft / 586.61 ft) x 65.62 ft x (19.69 / 20.65 ft)
   (181.35 m / 178.80 m) x 20.00 m  x (6.00 / 6.29 m)

Armament:
      8 - 7.09" / 180 mm 55.0 cal guns - 230.38lbs / 104.50kg shells, 200 per gun
     Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1939 Model
     4 x 2-gun mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 3.54" / 90.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 24.01lbs / 10.89kg shells, 500 per gun
     Dual purpose guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1939 Model
     6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 2.07lbs / 0.94kg shells, 4,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1939 Model
     2 x 4 row quad mounts on sides amidships
      4 raised mounts
     2 x 4 row quad mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 double raised mounts
      30 - 1.18" / 30.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 0.87lbs / 0.40kg shells, 2,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1939 Model
     30 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 2,207 lbs / 1,001 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   5.12" / 130 mm   410.63 ft / 125.16 m   11.48 ft / 3.50 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 108 % of normal length
     Main Belt inclined -10.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.18" / 30 mm   410.63 ft / 125.16 m   17.88 ft / 5.45 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 52.49 ft / 16.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   5.91" / 150 mm   3.15" / 80 mm      5.12" / 130 mm
   2nd:   2.36" / 60 mm   1.57" / 40 mm      2.36" / 60 mm
   3rd:   0.79" / 20 mm   0.79" / 20 mm      0.79" / 20 mm
   4th:   0.79" / 20 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 3.15" / 80 mm, Aft 3.15" / 80 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 83,076 shp / 61,975 Kw = 31.50 kts
   Range 8,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,677 tons

Complement:
   557 - 725

Cost:
   £5.148 million / $20.591 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 644 tons, 5.6 %
      - Guns: 644 tons, 5.6 %
   Armour: 3,066 tons, 26.5 %
      - Belts: 993 tons, 8.6 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 321 tons, 2.8 %
      - Armament: 563 tons, 4.9 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,120 tons, 9.7 %
      - Conning Towers: 69 tons, 0.6 %
   Machinery: 2,248 tons, 19.4 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,796 tons, 32.8 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,588 tons, 13.7 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 240 tons, 2.1 %
      - Hull above water: 33 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 100 tons
      - Above deck: 107 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     15,216 lbs / 6,902 Kg = 85.5 x 7.1 " / 180 mm shells or 2.6 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.07
   Metacentric height 3.0 ft / 0.9 m
   Roll period: 15.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.51
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.02

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and small transom stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.535 / 0.543
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.94 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 26.06 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 59
   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 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  21.33 ft / 6.50 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  21.33 ft / 6.50 m,  21.33 ft / 6.50 m
      - Aft deck:   40.00 %,  21.33 ft / 6.50 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:      20.47 ft / 6.24 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 104.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 189.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 27,136 Square feet or 2,521 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 117 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 102 lbs/sq ft or 500 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.87
      - Longitudinal: 1.20
      - Overall: 0.90
   Caution: Hull subject to strain in open-sea
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room

65t - 1930 FC
50t - NF Devices x 2
25t - LR Radio
60t - 2 x Armed Floatplane w/ Catapult
40t - 2 x 5 x 21in HW TT Aft

[TacCovert4]

And the mentioned Icebreaker-cruiser.  More of a proper cruiser than Penguin, which was more of a light patrol ship overbuilt so it could bully sea ice.  The 'Ice' is capable as a cruiser in its own right and a bit faster, but maintains the same heavily overbuilt design, including a thick and deep torpedo defense and thick end belts to better improve her abilities as an icebreaker.  Coupled with modern diesel-electric propulsion, she can stay out in the rather violent southern sea for months at a time.

Ice, Aztec Icebreaker-Corvette laid down 1936

Displacement:
   6,487 t light; 6,786 t standard; 7,325 t normal; 7,756 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (400.29 ft / 393.70 ft) x 65.62 ft x (18.04 / 18.88 ft)
   (122.01 m / 120.00 m) x 20.00 m  x (5.50 / 5.76 m)

Armament:
      4 - 7.09" / 180 mm 50.0 cal guns - 188.38lbs / 85.45kg shells, 150 per gun
     Dual purpose guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1936 Model
     4 x Single 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, 500 per gun
     Dual purpose guns in deck mounts, 1936 Model
     4 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 2.07lbs / 0.94kg shells, 2,000 per gun
     Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1936 Model
     8 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 979 lbs / 444 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   3.94" / 100 mm   295.28 ft / 90.00 m   9.84 ft / 3.00 m
   Ends:   1.97" / 50 mm     98.39 ft / 29.99 m   9.84 ft / 3.00 m
     Main Belt covers 115 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1.97" / 50 mm   295.28 ft / 90.00 m   15.65 ft / 4.77 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 45.93 ft / 14.00 m

   - Hull void:
      0.00" / 0 mm     0.00 ft / 0.00 m   0.00 ft / 0.00 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   3.15" / 80 mm   1.57" / 40 mm      3.15" / 80 mm
   2nd:   2.36" / 60 mm   0.59" / 15 mm            -
   3rd:   0.59" / 15 mm   0.59" / 15 mm            -

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 1.97" / 50 mm
   Forecastle: 0.98" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 1.18" / 30 mm

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

Machinery:
   Diesel Internal combustion generators,
   Electric motors, 2 shafts, 39,843 shp / 29,723 Kw = 26.00 kts
   Range 6,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 970 tons

Complement:
   395 - 514

Cost:
   £2.510 million / $10.041 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 280 tons, 3.8 %
      - Guns: 280 tons, 3.8 %
   Armour: 1,656 tons, 22.6 %
      - Belts: 556 tons, 7.6 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 337 tons, 4.6 %
      - Armament: 110 tons, 1.5 %
      - Armour Deck: 628 tons, 8.6 %
      - Conning Tower: 26 tons, 0.3 %
   Machinery: 1,118 tons, 15.3 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,355 tons, 32.1 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 838 tons, 11.4 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 1,078 tons, 14.7 %
      - Hull below water: 633 tons
      - Hull void weights: 100 tons
      - Hull above water: 160 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 120 tons
      - Above deck: 65 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     13,920 lbs / 6,314 Kg = 78.2 x 7.1 " / 180 mm shells or 2.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.30
   Metacentric height 4.3 ft / 1.3 m
   Roll period: 13.3 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.22
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.14

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: 6.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.84 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 64 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 62
   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,  23.79 ft / 7.25 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  23.79 ft / 7.25 m,  21.33 ft / 6.50 m
      - Aft deck:   45.00 %,  21.33 ft / 6.50 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   10.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      21.58 ft / 6.58 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 106.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 185.4 %
   Waterplane Area: 18,029 Square feet or 1,675 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 125 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 92 lbs/sq ft or 450 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.89
      - Longitudinal: 2.71
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform


BW
318t - Diesel Engines
265t - Electric Drives
50t - Additional Pumps

AW
100t - Enlarged Sick Bay and Berthing for Rescues
30t - Additional DC Equipment
15t - Dive Lockers

OD
60t - 2 x 15t Launch
40t - Aft Crane and Towing Equipment
20t - Minesweeping Equipment

AD
25t - NF Devices
25t - LR Radio

FC - 30t

Crash Void - 100t

Range at Cruise is 12,075nm