HMS Belfast 1982 profile

[Raptormodeller]

So, the Falklands, 1982, HMS Belfast is called upon one last time, what will it look like?

Here's the unedited model:


Will be edited using Pixlr online editor.

[scooter]

Check out Shipbucket.  Their models have a real scale, and with sufficient digging through the interwebz, you can find scads of parts.  All they ask is that you attribute the original creators.  Check out some of the profiles that Nighthunter, Darth Panda, and I have done.

I also use Paint.net for my editing.  It's kind of like a freeware Photoshop lite, allows you to add layers, so that even if you're overwritten something on one layer, you can go back and double check what's underneath it.

[sandiego89]

Interesting. I imagine it might be time to upgrade from the floatplane... Bring it on!

[Weaver]

Interesting. I imagine it might be time to upgrade from the floatplane... Bring it on!

The floatplane was gone before the end of WWII, as were two of the 4" twins.

[Nick]

Hmm, take out the floatplane in favour of a pair of Harpoon type missile launchers, remove a rear turret for a helo hangar (pair of Wasps), replace the QF 2-pound pom-pom AA guns with some CIWS Phalanx guns, switch the QF 4-inch for some SeaSlug or SeaDart missiles, and add some modern radar gear on the tower.

Or something like that. You could have two changes, one after a 1969 refit and one after the Falklands.

[Thorvic]

From a model point of view Trumpeter are doing the Belfast in her 1942 wartime configuration, but are also doing her in the 1959 configuration with rebuilt bridge and lattice masts as per she is today on the Thames. Now that configuration would be the basis for future modernisation along the lines of Tiger with radar and SAM systems although I can't see doing a helo conversion would be worth while.

[Weaver]

Hmm, take out the floatplane in favour of a pair of Harpoon type missile launchers, remove a rear turret for a helo hangar (pair of Wasps), replace the QF 2-pound pom-pom AA guns with some CIWS Phalanx guns, switch the QF 4-inch for some SeaSlug or SeaDart missiles, and add some modern radar gear on the tower.

Or something like that. You could have two changes, one after a 1969 refit and one after the Falklands.

1982's a little early for Harpoon and Phalanx: the US Navy was still struggling to get those systems fitted to all their ships at the time. Also, Seaslug and Sea Dart are massive systems: Seaslug would need the entire back end of the ship (all the 4" and half the 6") and Sea Dart, while a smaller launcher, needs a lot of centreline space for it's radars. One of the PITA things about converting the Belfasts specifically is that, unlike all the other County/Colony class ships, their funnels are one 'position' further back, i.e. on all the others the forward funnel is between the hangar doors. This means that although the Belfasts are longest versions of this basic design, they actually have the least space available aft for the huge Seaslug magazine.

More generally, if Belfast had been refitted at all, it would likely have been in the late 1950s or early 1960s (it was discussed), and Harpoon, Phalanx and Sea Dart certainly wern't available then. A more likely refit would have been Seacat and 3" Mk.6 or 4.5" Mk.6 in place of all the 2 pdr and 4" guns, the intention being to keep all the 6" as fire-support weapons for the Royal Marines. Another refit in the early 1970s might then have seen Exocet MM38 added, probably without having to lose other systems.

The corners of the hangar roofs are a good place for Seacat since they have good arcs for the launchers and directors and the hangers are a big, undivided space where you can build custom ready-use magazines directly under them.

Fitting 3" or 4.5" Mk.6s in place of the 4" would be a more substantial undertaking since the latter are deck-mount weapons with separate hoists while the more modern guns have gun rooms and hoists directly below them. My best guess would be one turret each side on a raised structure in place of the No.2 4" (i.e. between the funnels) with the gun room in place of the torpedo tubes and the ship's boats being moved to the former aircraft deck.

[DarrenP2]

considering tiger & blake were sitting in reserve and were surveyed and drydocked looking towards them being reactivated! they had facilities for helicopters more modern radars and seacat.

[Captain Canada]

Sounds good !

[Raptormodeller]

Photo!!!
Removed quite a lot of old junk, I know what I'm going to do now...
But you'll have to wait and see muahahahaha!  
About the lack of funnels though: (more in depth and complete back story to come)

In 1962, operating costs of HMS Belfast were rocketing, not least by the fact that the elderly engines needed regular and complicated maintenance. The solution was unorthodox and very risky: take the middle of the ship off and equip it with 4 brand new, lighter and more efficient diesel engines. However, no shipyard in Britain was big enough to take off such a large chunk of the ship, so, it was towed to Saint-Nazaire in France where they cut 83 sections instead of just one. After the new engines were fitted the RN proceed with much needed upgrades. Her post 1974 state, meant that she was at the forefront of technology and big guns..... to be continued




chomp chomp
-raptor

[Caveman]

 

[Old Wombat]

Methinks you should wait until 1st June to put up more, mate.

[NARSES2]

Methinks you should wait until 1st June to put up more, mate.

Yup if you would please. GB starts on Wednesday

[Raptormodeller]

Methinks you should wait until 1st June to put up more, mate.

Yup if you would please. GB starts on Wednesday

Methinks you should wait until 1st June to put up more, mate.

Whoops. Me and my dates... 

[Caveman]

It's catching!