And, a bit of a worldwide update:
USN:
-The Atlanta, Rochester and Tucson class cruisers, collectively known as "the Follies" are proving to be a real disappointment. The former class are light cruisers built on scaled-up destroyer hulls, and the latter two arose for a specification to build light and heavy cruisers on a common hull. All three classes struggle in the heavy weather of the North Atlantic, and Admirals Nimitz and Halsey have lodged several complaints with Leahy about their poor performance. Wet, top-heavy, rapidly rolling, and generally otherwise unpleasant, they are US sailors' least favourite ships. It is rumoured that their overly-light construction may have been the impetus for the Jacksonville class being so huge- each Jacksonville is nearly three times the size of a Folly, and carries twice the number of 8" guns as a Rochester.
So miserable were the Follies, they are either being stopped on the ways or sent back to have their armament replaced with 5" guns, making them little more than oversized destroyer leaders.
-Construction is progressing well on the massive Alabama class battleships. Some rather unusual structures are being erected on Vermont as well.
RN:
-Progress on the Battle and Weapon class destroyers is proceeding well
-A proposal for a larger design for new light cruisers is proposed as well.
-Keels laid for the five 1942 Programme Light Carriers, and the 1942 Programme Fleet Carriers Audacious and Irresistible
-Vanguard sees yet another design revision- the proposed built-up BL 16" Mark IV guns to be replaced with a new monobloc BL 16" Mark V, promising greater performance and longer life for less weight. With the weight savings, lengthened from L/45 to L/50. Conqueror and Thunderer formally dismissed as surplus to the requirements of the Royal Navy. Ironically, Vanguard's already near-legendary floating testbed status may be what sustains her.
-Yards assigned for the Malta class carriers. With no need to reserve slips for Conqueror and Thunderer, it is hoped that the keels can be laid on at least the first two by late 1943.
-Wear on existing ships is proving to be a real problem. Renown and Repulse, worked nearly nonstop on convoy protection and having received no major work since their moderate refits in the early mid 1930s are showing serious signs of wear. Repulse's condensers are in bad shape (often ensuring the ratings get cold showers only), and she can only make 28 of the 32 knots she should be capable of. Renown is in better repair, but she too is being worked very hard. Courageous and Glorious are being worked constantly as well, but there is really no alternative. Both have been assigned to Pacific service as Implacable and Indefatigable are due to be ready by mid 1942 and there are far fewer threats in the North Atlantic now (Progress is faster than OTL, as there is less need for escorts, more resources available as the KGVs are already done, and they are prioritized). Hood and the Nelsons, while still worked hard, are prioritized for maintenance now that the KGVs are in service, giving the RN a total of eleven fast battleships. Hood is also something of a testbed; she recently underwent a short refit and had her 24" torpedo launchers removed, and replaced with eight Dutch-designed stabilized "Hazemeyer" mounts for twin Bofors guns in their place. Confidence in the Triumph class battleships was shaken after Swiftsure's sinking, but they are nonetheless far better than the WWI battleships, and now that Renown and Repulse's performance is so degraded, they are set to take over more far-cover duties for the Arctic convoys, while R&R finally get some TLC. The Queen Elizabeths soldier on in the Home and Mediterranean Fleets, while the remaining poor, unloved Revenges are in the worst state of all. Having received no work of note beyond the addition of torpedo bulges in the 1920s, they are only capable of some 19 kn, and used primarily for bombardment missions.
RCN and RAN:
-Each of the largest Imperial navies is expressing an interest in a carrier of their own. Currently, the largest ship type operated by the RCN is a light cruiser, and for the RAN, a heavy cruiser. The Sea Lords are supportive of these ambitions.
IJN:
-The New Naval Estimates, finally pared down to something reasonable, set the pace for construction.
-A solution for the Yamakuni class cruisers is reached. With French design assistance, a true dual-purpose 155mm triple turret will be built. The class will mount five of these turrets, three ahead and two abaft the superstructure. Torpedoes will be retained, as will a pair of floatplanes, on a 710 ft. hull. However, they won't be laid down until 1943 as other ships have priority.
Marinha do Brasil:
-It is determined that the battleships Minas Geraes and Sao Paulo are too old to be of any real use to the war effort. Worse, their material condition is poor and there is little that can be done to make them more capable. Talks are underway with the USA to see if they can be traded in for something more useful. The USN, while glad to have a South American partner, has ruled out the sale of a Standard battleship to Brasil, although they are not opposed to selling a heavy cruiser.
USN:
-The Atlanta, Rochester and Tucson class cruisers, collectively known as "the Follies" are proving to be a real disappointment. The former class are light cruisers built on scaled-up destroyer hulls, and the latter two arose for a specification to build light and heavy cruisers on a common hull. All three classes struggle in the heavy weather of the North Atlantic, and Admirals Nimitz and Halsey have lodged several complaints with Leahy about their poor performance. Wet, top-heavy, rapidly rolling, and generally otherwise unpleasant, they are US sailors' least favourite ships. It is rumoured that their overly-light construction may have been the impetus for the Jacksonville class being so huge- each Jacksonville is nearly three times the size of a Folly, and carries twice the number of 8" guns as a Rochester.
So miserable were the Follies, they are either being stopped on the ways or sent back to have their armament replaced with 5" guns, making them little more than oversized destroyer leaders.
-Construction is progressing well on the massive Alabama class battleships. Some rather unusual structures are being erected on Vermont as well.
RN:
-Progress on the Battle and Weapon class destroyers is proceeding well
-A proposal for a larger design for new light cruisers is proposed as well.
-Keels laid for the five 1942 Programme Light Carriers, and the 1942 Programme Fleet Carriers Audacious and Irresistible
-Vanguard sees yet another design revision- the proposed built-up BL 16" Mark IV guns to be replaced with a new monobloc BL 16" Mark V, promising greater performance and longer life for less weight. With the weight savings, lengthened from L/45 to L/50. Conqueror and Thunderer formally dismissed as surplus to the requirements of the Royal Navy. Ironically, Vanguard's already near-legendary floating testbed status may be what sustains her.
-Yards assigned for the Malta class carriers. With no need to reserve slips for Conqueror and Thunderer, it is hoped that the keels can be laid on at least the first two by late 1943.
-Wear on existing ships is proving to be a real problem. Renown and Repulse, worked nearly nonstop on convoy protection and having received no major work since their moderate refits in the early mid 1930s are showing serious signs of wear. Repulse's condensers are in bad shape (often ensuring the ratings get cold showers only), and she can only make 28 of the 32 knots she should be capable of. Renown is in better repair, but she too is being worked very hard. Courageous and Glorious are being worked constantly as well, but there is really no alternative. Both have been assigned to Pacific service as Implacable and Indefatigable are due to be ready by mid 1942 and there are far fewer threats in the North Atlantic now (Progress is faster than OTL, as there is less need for escorts, more resources available as the KGVs are already done, and they are prioritized). Hood and the Nelsons, while still worked hard, are prioritized for maintenance now that the KGVs are in service, giving the RN a total of eleven fast battleships. Hood is also something of a testbed; she recently underwent a short refit and had her 24" torpedo launchers removed, and replaced with eight Dutch-designed stabilized "Hazemeyer" mounts for twin Bofors guns in their place. Confidence in the Triumph class battleships was shaken after Swiftsure's sinking, but they are nonetheless far better than the WWI battleships, and now that Renown and Repulse's performance is so degraded, they are set to take over more far-cover duties for the Arctic convoys, while R&R finally get some TLC. The Queen Elizabeths soldier on in the Home and Mediterranean Fleets, while the remaining poor, unloved Revenges are in the worst state of all. Having received no work of note beyond the addition of torpedo bulges in the 1920s, they are only capable of some 19 kn, and used primarily for bombardment missions.
RCN and RAN:
-Each of the largest Imperial navies is expressing an interest in a carrier of their own. Currently, the largest ship type operated by the RCN is a light cruiser, and for the RAN, a heavy cruiser. The Sea Lords are supportive of these ambitions.
IJN:
-The New Naval Estimates, finally pared down to something reasonable, set the pace for construction.
-A solution for the Yamakuni class cruisers is reached. With French design assistance, a true dual-purpose 155mm triple turret will be built. The class will mount five of these turrets, three ahead and two abaft the superstructure. Torpedoes will be retained, as will a pair of floatplanes, on a 710 ft. hull. However, they won't be laid down until 1943 as other ships have priority.
Marinha do Brasil:
-It is determined that the battleships Minas Geraes and Sao Paulo are too old to be of any real use to the war effort. Worse, their material condition is poor and there is little that can be done to make them more capable. Talks are underway with the USA to see if they can be traded in for something more useful. The USN, while glad to have a South American partner, has ruled out the sale of a Standard battleship to Brasil, although they are not opposed to selling a heavy cruiser.
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