TzoliThe very first official design leading to the Invincible class Battlecruisers. Design A shows that the previous Uncatchable C was used as the basis for further development but with significant changes:
- Main armament changed to /45 calibre cannons,
- uneven number of 4" guns with the sketch drawing showing the 13rd one either poking out from the conning tower or bridge or as I think it should be placed on top of it.
- Massive superstructures behind the forwardmost turrets as well as a triangular or trapezoid shaped one behind the 3 turret to house the 4" guns and to allow them to fire directly forward or aft, above the main turrets.
- Four angled or raked long funnels
- Bridge structure very similar to that of adopted for the Minotaur class Armoured Cruisers
- 2 masts with the aft one supporting the boat crane
Hull wise one sketch shows the Fisher like clipper bow while other shows the traditional Ram bow, so I stayed with the clipper one. The forecastle deck goes well aft of the turrets incorporating part of the first funnel and holds the massive superstructure behind the turrets, the upper deck goes well aft till the 3rd turret but does not connect with the barbette and follows the shape of the superstructure on top of it while the main deck carries the aftermost turrets like on the previous design.
The design had the following characteristics:
Dimensions: 164,59 (pp) x 175,85 (wl) x 180,3 (oa) x 23,47 x 8,08m
Displacement: 17.000tons (standard)
Armour: 152mm belt, 25mm deck over Magazines, 19mm over Machinery
Engines: 41.000shp Vertical Triple Expansion engines, 4 shafts
Speed: 47km/h (25,5knots)
Armaments:
4x2 12"/45 (305mm/45) BL Mark X Cannons
13x1 4"/40 (102mm/40) QF Mark III Guns,
5x1 457mm Underwater torpedo tubes
Official sketches:
i.imgur.com/6gVZUHF.jpg
i.imgur.com/6dIioTc.jpg
i.imgur.com/dk5fdzE.jpg
i.imgur.com/ZQoRyDV.jpg
2023-07-31 17:20:37 +0000