TzoliAt the end of April 1943, DGD (Director of Gunnery Division) proposed a "Short Term" and "Ultimate" AA modernization proposal for the Class. This drawing represents the "Ultimate" variant where DGD envisioned 4 twin 5,25" guns per side replacing the entire secondary and heavy AA battery. The Ultimate close range AA armament would be 9 Octuple Pom-Poms, and 50-60 Oerlikon barrels. Sadly neither of the sisters could be released until Italy was defeated and the Regia Marina immobilized. HMS Rodney would have to be rewired and her electrical system overhauled because that had been deferred in 1939 and never carried out.
For the 60 Oerlikon barrels I've used a mix of 14 twin and 32 single mounts, the 9 Pom-Poms arranged so that the centreline stern mount was replaced by two side by side ones, and in place of the forwardmost 4,7" guns I've placed another pair. HACS wise I've used the same layout as on the "Short Term" version.
The design had the following characteristics:
Dimensions: 201,2 (pp) x 214,4m (wl) x 216,4 (oa) 32.3 x 10,2 meters
Displacement: 36.000tons (standard)
Engines: 45.000shp Steam Turbines engines, 2 shafts
Speed: 43km/h (23knots)
Range: 10.200km (6.500nm)
Armour: 356mm Belt over Magazines, 330mm over Machinery inclined at 18°, 159mm Deck over Magazines, 95mm over Machinery, 108mm Slopes
Armaments:
3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mark I Cannons,
8x2 5,25"/50 (133mm/50) QF Mk I Guns,
9x8 40mm/39 QF Mk VIII AA Guns
14x2,32x1 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mark II AA guns
Sensors:
1x Type 273 Surface-Search Radar
2x Type 281 Air-Search Radars
9x Type 282 Pom-Pom Director Radars
2x Type 284 Gunnery Control Radars
4x Type 285 HACS AA Gunnery Control Radars
2025-01-01 14:30:18 +0000