RN 1960s Escort Cruiser and 1970s Aussie DDL

[roughneck06]

 I've always been fascinated with the RN Escort Cruiser of the 1960s- design work was in conjuction with CVA-01 and the RN planned to order 5 once CVA-01 was well under construction. @ 600 ft long, twin 4.5 in Mount forward of the island and a twin seadart SAM launcher aft. Flight deck, to operate 9 Seaking Helos. The idea was for it to handle all ASW tasks from it thus freeing need for CVA-01 to operate ASW Helos= more fighters/attack birds. Eventually it evolved into the Invincible CVLs after CVA-01 cancellation. 

I am going to do something I have not done before- build a WHIF from scratch ( well- 4.5 turret and seadart will be from existing models - as will Seakings) 


I'm also considering scratchbuilding a RAN DDL-  my glances at artist concepts seem to be a mix between a Type 42 and USN design mix.

Once completed- I'll post pics for comments/suggestions. Q- if they're good enough- do you think they might be of enough interest that I could produce kits and sell them?

I'm working on a Alternate history story in which they are buildt- RN Escort carriers as the " A" Class- HMS Ajax, Achilles, Archer, Audacity, etc.

Right now I'd foresee not only the RN, but NL, FRG, Canada, OZ, NZ, perhaps some SA navies picking up some as well. Might even try to look at Exocet/Harpoon mounts, even up to 3 SHARS in addition to the ASW air group.

All ideas and comments welcomed- thanks!!!!

[GTX]

Is this the one you mean?



Regards,

Greg

[Thorvic]

There are decent drawings of the Escort Cruiser in Friedmans "British Carrier Aviation" and similar ones in Browns "Rebuilding the Royal Navy" although these are of the original Sea Slug version. Brown mentions a later design with Sea Dart and Ikara in a similar maner to the original layout for CVA-01, although i suspect the 4.5' gun fwd of the bridge would have been replaced by a Sea Dart system in a similar to later designs post 66.

What scale are you thinking of building them ?

Cheers

Geoff

[rickshaw]

Is this the one you mean?



Regards,

Greg

Like most compromise designs its neither fish nor fowl this one, IMHO.  Once the Lords of the Admiralty come to their senses and people have had to try and work the ship for a while, I could imagine a refit removing both the gun and the Sea Slug launcher and extending the flight deck aft.  Perhaps replacing the gun with a Sea Dart launcher.   Particularly once CV-01 has to be decommissioned because Treasury calls for naval cuts.

[MAD]

I look forward with what you come up with 'roughneck06'
Good luck and good building!

P.S Be sure to keep us informed with progress please!

M.A.D

[Thorvic]

Like most compromise designs its neither fish nor fowl this one, IMHO.  Once the Lords of the Admiralty come to their senses and people have had to try and work the ship for a while, I could imagine a refit removing both the gun and the Sea Slug launcher and extending the flight deck aft.  Perhaps replacing the gun with a Sea Dart launcher.   Particularly once CV-01 has to be decommissioned because Treasury calls for naval cuts.

Ahem thats the 1961 design, the 1962 design which has not been illustrated had the next generation missile systems akin to CVA-01 and was intended to operate 4 ASW Chinooks (which for a time were favoured instead of the Seakings at that time - Twin rotors were thought to provide a more stable dipping sonar platform and of course it had the capacity for plenty of sensors, weapons and fuel for endurance).

As a platform try looking at the new JMSDF DDH181 Hyuga, which mates a Helicopter Carrier with the Guided Missile Destroyer systems as per the RN Escort Cruiser 50 yrs earlier !!!!

[GTX]

Ahem thats the 1961 design, the 1962 design which has not been illustrated had the next generation missile systems akin to CVA-01 and was intended to operate 4 ASW Chinooks (which for a time were favoured instead of the Seakings at that time - Twin rotors were thought to provide a more stable dipping sonar platform and of course it had the capacity for plenty of sensors, weapons and fuel for endurance).

Hence my asking - do you have a pic of the '62 design?

As a platform try looking at the new JMSDF DDH181 Hyuga, which mates a Helicopter Carrier with the Guided Missile Destroyer systems as per the RN Escort Cruiser 50 yrs earlier !!!!

My thoughts exactly.  BTW, here's the DDH181 Hyuga for anyone unaware:



regards,

Greg

[Thorvic]

Quote from: Thorvic on Today at 09:45:36
Ahem thats the 1961 design, the 1962 design which has not been illustrated had the next generation missile systems akin to CVA-01 and was intended to operate 4 ASW Chinooks (which for a time were favoured instead of the Seakings at that time - Twin rotors were thought to provide a more stable dipping sonar platform and of course it had the capacity for plenty of sensors, weapons and fuel for endurance).


Hence my asking - do you have a pic of the '62 design?

Nah its only mentioned in text form, Ralph (UK75) would desperately love to see any drawings of said design.

G