Shipbucket

Just a request - If anyone is going to edit an already posted entry, please say so, as to make the scoring go faster, I've already started. I'd hate to give someone a score that doesn't correspond with the final work, but I also didn't want to come under a fast deadline for getting the scoring done.

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𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐍𝐄𝐓- 𝑻𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆

Ironically for all the amazing designs that are being shown off in this thread I've really taken a shine to Superboy's entry. It's not big, it's not flashy, it's barely a first-line ship by most navies standards of the time, but it's what was needed and affordable.

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Would you please not eat my gun...

Superboy's destroyers are basically what Norway had before Oslo class come around... that I find interesting, that also remind me that I have to finds more source on the Norwegian Navy ships between 1945 and the late 60's

I have updated my entry on page 11.

Welp, I figured it was time that I pull up my sleeves and try making a submission for a challenge. And since I was working in this era anyway, I figured this one was as good as any. I decided to submit a RNFN based design for the concept. If nothing else, maybe I'll get Mr. Congeniality.
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As the Royal Newfoundland Navy developed it's new fleet program in the 50's, and as the Little's were being built, it was determined that the fleet needed a "large" combatant to serve as the command centre of the fleet or a task group. They ship wished to obtain a vessel that was large enough to serve as a flagship, while still being able to serve as a single-escort if necessary.

The end result was the Mercury-Class Destroyers. These were, to date, the largest ships ever built or commissioned into the RNFN, and as such were given a level of distinction typically not found in this rather small navy. Designed as general purpose escorts, they were intended to give the fleet a more heavily armed escort, to keep an eye on the smaller ships of the fleet in scenarios where they were more likely to come up against enemy surface vessels and aircraft.


HMNFS Mercury, 1957

While on the lighter end of the spectrum when it came to destroyers of the time, the ships of the class were well armed by the standard of the RNFN. Armed with 3x2 3"/50 dual-purpose guns, in the A, B, and X positions. While the RNFN considered the larger guns, it was decided that quantity had a quality of its own. This, coupled with the commonality with the smaller ships, also ensured an easier logistics program. The anti-air armament was rounded out with 2x2 40mm Bofors, and 2x2 20mm Oerlikons. ASW weapons were centred on two Limbo mortars, along with two twin Bidder torpedo tubes.

The ships were considered very rugged by their builders, but in practice were typically not put through their paces as much as the smaller ships of the fleet due to their expense and place of priority in the fleet. The last major ships of the RNFN to be built using steam turbines, they managed a respectable 27kt top speed, and were well regarded by their crews due to their relative levels of comfort.


HMNFS Mercury, 1965

The ships continued their service through the years, receiving only minor upgrades to improve their capabilities. One such upgrade was in the mid-Sixties when the two twin Bofors launchers were replaced with two quad Sea Cat missile launchers, which greatly improved their AA defences against fast jets compared to their original design.

The service lives of the ships continued to be relatively sedate, and the ships spent the majority of their service on visits to foreign ports and home waters. The notable exception was when the second ship of the class, the Minerva, collided with the iron ore freighter Coaker while the two passed in the Strait of Belle Isle. While the Minerva suffered some major damage to the stern, the Coaker eventually beached itself due to damage on the bow. This damage would give the Navy the impetus to implement long held plans to upgrade the ships.


HMNFS Mercury, 1970

Seeing that the ships, while effective ships in the original configurations, were somewhat limited in the rapidly developing climate of the Cold War. After Minerva was placed in dry dock for repairs due her collision damage, it was decided to use her repair time to perform the upgrades planned by the fleet. Significant changes were implemented to improve the overall capabilities of the ships. The stern Limbo launchers, and X 3"/50 turret, were removed. In it's place, the stern hull was strengthened to allow for helicopter landings, and a hangar was added to the ship. The twin Sea Cats were replaced with four boxed Ikara launchers amidships. Paired with the ASW helicopter, and the new triple torpedoes on the stern, it gave these ships a potent anti-submarine capability. Only a single Sea Cat was retained, but it was considered an acceptable trade off given the shift to a dedicated anti-submarine focus across the fleet.

The ships would continue to serve well into the 80's before being retired from service. Both vessels were quickly paid off and scrapped, only three years after leaving service. While good ships that proved very capable, they never overcame the initial skepticism regarding their cost and conservative service. However, they finally came into their own at the end of their service.

HMNFS Mercury, D09
HMNFS Minerva, D10

I decided to adapt the Avalon-class frigates I designed a while back into my submission for this challenge. Generally, I'm pretty satisfied with them, and hopefully my first foray into the world of challenges will reflect well.

Hi all

@TimothyC: I changed the height-finder radars on the first two from the old part to Colo's new one from his Mitscher drawing. I think there won't be any more edits after today.

Greetings
GD

Originally classified as a DE, the Heron Class frigates were an 18 ship class all named after different species of herons. They were designed as fleet escorts and were the first vessels to put SUM-N-2 "Grebe" into active surface. With the reclassification of vessels in 1958 they became designated as Frigates, however their role as fleet escort remained the same. The Heron class came from the requirement for a new fleet escort capable of being armed with at minimum of 6 ASW missiles and having sprint capabilities to keep up with the carriers during air-ops but economically cruising should the need to convoy merchants arise once more. The SUM-N-2's large operational range of 37km meant a very powerful sonar had to packaged and thus the herons were equipped with a large underwater dome amid ships. The three diesel electrics served as the main propulsion but did double service as the electrical main. During stints over 18 knots the two geared free spool turboshafts were engaged. Two put the power down two 2.2m propellers were nested in ducts directly beneath the turbines but straddling the towed array. While under diesel power only, the ducting helped deaden lateral sounds but, it resulted in increased fore and aft noise thus earning the class the nickname "lighthouses" among the Louisiane submariners from its direction dependent signature.


In commission: 1956

Displacement: 2,200t standard
Length: 90m
Beam: 13m
Draft: 3.35
Speed: 38knots
Range: 4000Nm @ 18knots

Propulsion;
CoDLaG
3 diesels; Fairbanks 12|38D8-1/8 :3000hp each
2 turboshafts; BorgWarner T-48: 30000hp each

Sensors;
Surface Search Radar: ERB-11
Air Search Radar: ERV-21
Gun Director: Mk58, radar: ERT-17
Hull Sonar: SHA-45
Towed Sonar: STP-27 “Conger Eel”

Armament;
1x Mk30 mount, Mk9 13.5cmL50 dual purpose
1x Mk23, 12 shot ASW mortar
4x Mk19 torpedo launchers, uses Mk42 torpedo (wire guided Mk41)
8x Mk12 missile launcher, uses SUM-N-2 Grebe (Mk41 torpedo)
1xMk3 mount, Mk4 5cm 5barrel rotary 180rpm (15 rounds a second)


As more fullsize destroyers began to be fitted with ASW missile systems and the increasing threat by missiles and jet aircraft, the Herons began to loose their purpose to larger vessels that had room to grow with modern missile systems. As such in 1962, the class began to be refitted to a more specialized build directed at greater littoral usage and hunting subs in cooperation of land based MPA. The 13.5cm gun, ASW mortar, and the 4 stationary tubes were landed and a quintuple mount was fitted in their place. Improved launchers for Grebe were retrofitted to reduce maintenance and the sonar dome received new streamling as well.


Refit: 1962

Displacement: 2,200t standard
Length: 90m
Beam: 13m
Draft: 3.35
Speed: 38knots
Range: 4000Nm @ 18knots

Propulsion;
CoDLaG
3 diesels; Fairbanks 12|38D8-1/8 :3000hp each
2 turboshafts; BorgWarner T-48: 30000hp each

Sensors;
Surface Search Radar: ERB-11
Air Search Radar: ERV-21
Gun Director: Mk58, radar: ERT-17
Hull Sonar: SHA-45
Towed Sonar: STP-27 “Conger Eel”

Armament;
1x Mk20 quintuple torpedo launcher(Mk42 torpedo)
8x Mk14 missile launcher, uses SUM-N-2 Grebe (Mk41 torpedo)
1xMk3 mount, Mk4 5cm 5barrel rotary 180rpm (15 rounds a second)


In 1978 the Heron class began to be decommissioned and sold off, a few still serve with small nations as patrol vessels, but most were scrapped.

I have added later "refits" of my entry (although the as-built version is still my main one, with minor underwater hull colors fixed).

That will be the last update before the challenge ends today.

cheers — wb21

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I think this marks Grebe's Shipbucket debut. A fascinating entry!

Here is my entry for the challenge, and also thanks for Colosseum to extended the challenge,considering i have been busy lately

Fafnir Class Destroyer

By the end of World War 2, Newport Republic Navy was reducing its strength by mothballing many capital ships and restructuring the Navy,although this program mainly affect large capital ships, severe budget cuts that were imposed by Parliament eventually halted many construction of combat ships after World War 2,this included destroyer construction. The last destroyer to be built before budget cuts were Mryiad Class destroyer which 15 ordered in 1945 but eventually only 5 were finished before Parliament decided to cut the funding. Mryiad Class which itself mainly World War 2 designed Anti Aircraft destroyer were the most modern destroyer in Newportian Navy and thus formed the backbone of Newport destroyer fleet, because many of old 1930s designed destroyer are either sunk during the war or became obsolete by late 40s. The heightning Cold War atmosphere in 1952 and the following Korean War which although Newport didnt take direct part,send logistical supply to support UN troops . make some urgent need of building new destroyer. But the Parliament still reluctant to allocate some fund to Navy citing that modernization of Airforces and Economic rebuilding is a priority compare to build "ton of small ships that doesnt impress anyone". With no fund available from Parliament, Navy board decide to act independenly. In 1953 Navy considering the new destroyer to be built by mid 1950s and have adequate role to perform AA and ASW role at same time efficiently while able to perform escort roles and attack roles efficiently,soon domestic shipyard come up with 3 design,by the end the second design was choosed.By the following month,after Minister of Defence protested to the President that Navy were underfunded compare to other branches,Parliament finally agreed to allocate fund for 1955-1960 building project,which destroyer building were given special places to be the scheduled to be completed by 1958. Now with financial backup,Navy Board decided to modify the design by increasing the displacement from 2.700 t to 3.200 t and changing engine design which now have trunk into single funnel compare to more traditional two funnel arrangement from the original proposal.The lead ship of the class Fafnir was laid down at Stanley Naval Works in July 1956

Particular data as following :
Displacement : 3,200 tons (standard) ; 4,500 tons (full load)
Length : 144,3 m
Beam : 13,8 m
Draft : 4,4 m
Propulsion : Two-shaft Waggner WST-236 steam turbines, four Marchell 1.000psi boilers, 81.000 SHP
Speed : 32,5 knot
Range : 6200 nm @ 19 knot
Complement : 300

As first class of destroyer to be completed after World War 2,Fafnirs carried many novel feature of Newportian naval engineering. They were first ship in Newportian Navy to have fin-stabilizers, and were design with supertitous free room for future upgrade and electronic installment, They also have superb newly designed Dual-Purpose 100 mm Model 1955 gun in Model 1955A turret which have autoloader that greatly increased its rate of fire. For its secondary armament Fafnir carries new state-of-the-art 40mm Model 1955 Autocannon in enclosed turret with integrated magazine below deck and a superb rate of fire of 800 m/s.For ASW operations they equipped by a brand new 203mm Martin ASW rocket launcher with 12 tubes and also new 400mm ASW torpedo tubes.All of the armament is guided by 3AP2 surface search and SP-M55, AL4 ECM,AMT3 ECM and SB-2 sonar



Five ships ordered in 1956,all completed in 1958 with exception of Fretif which commisioned in February 1959

By early 1960s it was obvious that AA gun were obselete in their AA roles with the advent of the jet naval aircraft thus Navy decide to modernize the Fafnirs into carrying AA missile, many consideration were given regarding missile,from British made Seacat to locally produce yet experimental AAS-2 Thor which still in development stages.Rather than waiting for Thor development to be completed Navy settled with US made Mk13 Tartar missile systems complete with launchers and SPS-26 3D radars.The modernization also include an upgrade to ships radio system and replace the sonar with new Newport SB-4 sona located in bow.



Fafnir is the first one to underwent modernization in 1967 which all of five sisters completed in 1969. Fafnir will continued to serve Newportian Navy until 1986 when she was place in reserve in which she became a testbed for many new system then in development,but when Cold War ended in 1991 a severe budget cuts soon imposed by Parliament again,4 ships of the class were decommisioned and scrapped in 1994-1999 but Fafnir survived longer and after being stripped of his experimental armament were scrapped in 2003

Thats my entry for tha challenge, I hope you like them.opinions and criticism are very welcome