Personally, I wouldn't have cut down the raised bow, rather moulded it into the front of the flight deck. Same with stern structure (Emergency steering??). That's just me however. Nice design!With the lightning fall of France in 1940, the Canadian navy found itself catapulted at the forefront of the war way sooner then they expected. Their Converter-class project, hampered by the lack of funding and adequate ships, fell short of its goal of five converted carriers, with only the HMCS Protector being finished, supplied and combat-ready. The next in line, the HMCS Defender, was still in Halifax's shipyard, stripping the old SS Beaverford from its structure and modifying it into an escort carrier. With the British Isles alone in Europe, they needed all the resources available to continue the fight, and that meant bringing and protecting the vital Atlantic supply line, to keep it open. The HMCS Defender conversion's was accelerated, with the main structure kept and simply strengthen to save time and its crew beginning to train in a ship still in construction.
In mid-october, the ship left its slip, with workers still in board to complete the last details, for a shake-down and practicing its pilots. Around Newfoundland, they spent a week making mock attack on buoy before being recalled in emergency in Halifax. They were to protect the convoy SC-6 from Sydney, Nova-Scotia toward Liverpool. They only had time to refuel and drop the workers before meeting the rest of the escort. Desperately short on escort ship, the Royal Canadian Navy did not had the luxury of keeping one of its rare carriers on sea trial, no matter how vital they were.
All through its career the HMCS Defender would suffer from this, needing no less then three refits, one to modify and strengthen its watertight compartments (that were supposed to also serve as anti-torpedo protection), install dampeners to reduce its engine vibrations (known to affect the fuel lines for the planes, many of their screws and joints suffered) and even ballast to compensate for its top-heavy structure.
Nonetheless, like the HMCS Protector, the HMCS Defender would prove, with its Hurricane/Swordfish mix, to be a deadly opponents for the German u-boats. So vital to the safety of convoy, Converter-class carriers were often reserved for the most important cargo, such as fuel and foods.
Alternate Weapons of War thread...
- Thread starter Franz Josef II
- Start date
In 1933, the former SS Astrée of the Compagnie de Caen was put to sell and both Canada and Italian owners were bidding for the ship, for two different reasons. The Italian bidders were obviously looking to own the ship for cargo hauling but the Canadian government was looking to convert the ship into a potential escort carrier. The Canadian government finally won the ship and made it cross the Atlantic to reach Halifax. While the construction slip was already occupied by the former SS Londonberry and the SS Beaverford being inspected and cleaned, the SS Astrée waited in a dry dock of the Halifax Shipyard of the Dominion and Steel Corporation while funds were made available. While inspector reviewed the ship structure and small repairs and maintenance took place, it was not before 1936 that the Astrée finally shed its civilian skin to wear its military identity as the new HMCS Escorter when the HMCS Protector (ex-Londonberry), was finally completed.
But the Converter-class program was always low on funds and priority, many politicians dragging feets when it came to spending more money on carriers, especially due to both the need in airplanes, pilots and sailors, many preferring investing in cheaper Corvette and Frigates. Especially as the old structure of the Protector meant that many refits were needed, workers from both the Defender and Escorter were frequently transferred to save cost. In 1939, the HMCS Defender was 70 % completed while the Protector had only its interior redesigned when the war was declared. The Phoney war and the lack of apparent menace meant that the pace was not accelerated, in fact, the Canadian navy gearing up for war meant refitting or readying many old ships, competing with the two soon-to-be carriers. With the fall of France and the ''convoy panic'', all the efforts were transfered to the Defender to make sure that she would enter service as fast as possible, meaning that the Escorter's workers were transfered to help.
With the Defender launching in 1940, efforts focused back to the Escorter and even new potential ships. In June 1941, the ship would launch and do many sea-trials before being considered ready for operations in late October. Thanks to the lessons learned from both carriers (especially the Defender numerous refits), the HMCS Escorter would be considered as the most advanced first generation Converter-class carrier. The munitions and spare parts crates were finally removed, a catapult was installed and the armament fixed to 8 single-mount 20mm and 4 single-mount 40mm Bofors (the old 4in gun, already absent due to a lack of space on the Defender, were abandoned since the main threat was isolated as either submarines or aircraft).
But the Converter-class program was always low on funds and priority, many politicians dragging feets when it came to spending more money on carriers, especially due to both the need in airplanes, pilots and sailors, many preferring investing in cheaper Corvette and Frigates. Especially as the old structure of the Protector meant that many refits were needed, workers from both the Defender and Escorter were frequently transferred to save cost. In 1939, the HMCS Defender was 70 % completed while the Protector had only its interior redesigned when the war was declared. The Phoney war and the lack of apparent menace meant that the pace was not accelerated, in fact, the Canadian navy gearing up for war meant refitting or readying many old ships, competing with the two soon-to-be carriers. With the fall of France and the ''convoy panic'', all the efforts were transfered to the Defender to make sure that she would enter service as fast as possible, meaning that the Escorter's workers were transfered to help.
With the Defender launching in 1940, efforts focused back to the Escorter and even new potential ships. In June 1941, the ship would launch and do many sea-trials before being considered ready for operations in late October. Thanks to the lessons learned from both carriers (especially the Defender numerous refits), the HMCS Escorter would be considered as the most advanced first generation Converter-class carrier. The munitions and spare parts crates were finally removed, a catapult was installed and the armament fixed to 8 single-mount 20mm and 4 single-mount 40mm Bofors (the old 4in gun, already absent due to a lack of space on the Defender, were abandoned since the main threat was isolated as either submarines or aircraft).
Great image but I'll bite...In 1933, the former SS Astrée of the Compagnie de Caen was put to sell and both Canada and Italian owners were bidding for the ship, for two different reasons. The Italian bidders were obviously looking to own the ship for cargo hauling but the Canadian government was looking to convert the ship into a potential escort carrier. The Canadian government finally won the ship and made it cross the Atlantic to reach Halifax. While the construction slip was already occupied by the former SS Londonberry and the SS Beaverford being inspected and cleaned, the SS Astrée waited in a dry dock of the Halifax Shipyard of the Dominion and Steel Corporation while funds were made available. While inspector reviewed the ship structure and small repairs and maintenance took place, it was not before 1936 that the Astrée finally shed its civilian skin to wear its military identity as the new HMCS Escorter when the HMCS Protector (ex-Londonberry), was finally completed.
But the Converter-class program was always low on funds and priority, many politicians dragging feets when it came to spending more money on carriers, especially due to both the need in airplanes, pilots and sailors, many preferring investing in cheaper Corvette and Frigates. Especially as the old structure of the Protector meant that many refits were needed, workers from both the Defender and Escorter were frequently transferred to save cost. In 1939, the HMCS Defender was 70 % completed while the Protector had only its interior redesigned when the war was declared. The Phoney war and the lack of apparent menace meant that the pace was not accelerated, in fact, the Canadian navy gearing up for war meant refitting or readying many old ships, competing with the two soon-to-be carriers. With the fall of France and the ''convoy panic'', all the efforts were transfered to the Defender to make sure that she would enter service as fast as possible, meaning that the Escorter's workers were transfered to help.
With the Defender launching in 1940, efforts focused back to the Escorter and even new potential ships. In June 1941, the ship would launch and do many sea-trials before being considered ready for operations in late October. Thanks to the lessons learned from both carriers (especially the Defender numerous refits), the HMCS Escorter would be considered as the most advanced first generation Converter-class carrier. The munitions and spare parts crates were finally removed, a catapult was installed and the armament fixed to 8 single-mount 20mm and 4 single-mount 40mm Bofors (the old 4in gun, already absent due to a lack of space on the Defender, were abandoned since the main threat was isolated as either submarines or aircraft).
Where do you drive from and where's the smokestack?
From the inside with the instruments, a spotter on the tower warn the captain in case of danger and the smokestack is on the port side
Doesn't the Captain still need to see outside though? I mean, in bad / inclement weather or confined situations (Harbour) I doubt the spotting top would be used. A small bridge forward would be logical for that.
I was partly inspired by the Argus for these ships and there seem to be no bridge (maybe I wrongly interpreted the image tho)
She has a bridge forward under the flight deck and a retractable pilot house:I was partly inspired by the Argus for these ships and there seem to be no bridge (maybe I wrongly interpreted the image tho)
From Wiki:
In April 1918, Argus was ordered to be modified to a flush-decked configuration after the sea trials of the carrier Furious had revealed severe turbulence problems caused by her superstructure. The ship was given a bridge underneath her flight deck, extending from side to side, and she was fitted with a retractable pilot house in the middle of the flight deck for use when not operating aircraft.
Interesting, I might add side deck towers on the two other design, thanks for the catch !
I added deck tower on the Protector and Escorter following the constructive criticism of @Eternity
Thanks for the comments !
If they are launching in teh second half of 1941, you can trade Fulmars for F4 Wildcat/Martlets. They are smaller and lighter, and have greater range, speed and armament than either. If those are Sea Hurricanes, the F4 still wins in all but speed, and that's an almost match.
It's not Fairey Fulmar but Sea Hurricanes.
The Canadians seem to have obtained the F4 pretty late and they had a local Hurricane production lines, although it's a good catch, maybe the 1942-43 carriers could have some F4 Martlets loaned/given by the USA.
Since RCN is getting carriers, that would be a good excuse to either divert some of the original Martlets to them, or to straight order them from the US; this would also prevent any Hurricanes from being diverted from the RCAF/RAF.
Thomas27
Banned
3 aircrafts designed, inspired by my short alternate history "Opération Charlemagne" (available in french).
Arsenal VB.31 Requin https://www.deviantart.com/beignetbison/art/Arsenal-VB-31-Requin-843090102
Arsenal VB.33 Epaulard https://www.deviantart.com/beignetbison/art/Arsenal-VB-33-Epaulard-843075520
Arsenal VB.38 Espadon
Arsenal VB.31 Requin https://www.deviantart.com/beignetbison/art/Arsenal-VB-31-Requin-843090102
Arsenal VB.33 Epaulard https://www.deviantart.com/beignetbison/art/Arsenal-VB-33-Epaulard-843075520
Arsenal VB.38 Espadon
The Silverwind III is a rather old, if reliable, airframe that has long since been withdrawn from frontline combat service with the attack and interdiction squadrons of the Colonial Air Corps. In its floatplane configuration, the Silverwind III is the final culmination of the Zephyr-series of biplane airframes first fielded by the squadrons of the Three Wings just prior to their subjugation by the Kommersant. Slower than modern monoplanes like the Rapier I and II, while carrying lighter payloads and inferior weapons packages, the Silverwind III is an easy target for modern anti-air incendiary shrapnel barrages and even vulnerable to massed conventional musketry at lower altitudes and speeds. However, its relative ease of maintenance and impressive fuel efficiency compared to its more modern successors make the Silverwind III an excellent aerial mount for the scout-fliers of the Colonial Air Corps on detached duty far out on the fringe of the frontier.
The depicted Silverwind III floatplane bears the ancient signs of the Black Eagle and the Wreathed Cross, emblems of two of its Fliegervolk pilot's ancestral squadrons. The venerated White Blossom of the old Jagdgeschwader Europa replaces the usual winged star in its place of honor mid-fuselage. Combat mission tallies are marked on the rudder in distinctive Fliegervolk fashion; non-Fliegervolk Wingmen mark kill or mission tallies on the fuselage beneath their cockpits. The emblem of the modern Seventh Squadron, a Colonial Air Corps element attached to the Kommersant's 392nd Mobile Squadron, is visible on the tail, indicating the unit from which the aviatrix is nominally seconded for scout-flier duty. Except for occasional visits to the Squadron's fleet tenders and hangar bays for nanodust refueling and maintenance overhauls respectively, it is unlikely that the aviatrix will ever see much of the Squadron outside of major fleet exercises or maneuvers.
A pair of single-stack interceptor-class gun-clippers of the 259th Mobile Guard Squadron departing from the Kommersant fleet anchorage at Zvezda Bay
Several armored combat vehicles i made for for L4oftheWest 's Mass Effect and Starship Troopers crossover fanfic on fanfiction.net and this site here:
www.alternatehistory.com/forum…
M27 Centurion II Universal Combat Tank
An antiquated Federation Main Battle Tank, the type was no longer in service in the mainstay Federatal Army during the Second Bug War,although they are still being manufactured for colonial garrisons which lacked access to high-end equipments and maintenance facilities.
The Centurion design was based on the principle of hit-and-run defensive tactics back during the Disorder Wars period on Earth. Designed to be mobile and small, with greater flexibility compared to its successors, its small chassis means it can move up relatively narrow mountain roads, and more can be fit upon trains and transportation. With the Federation rethinking their mindset on the more defensive doctrines for their armored units, these defense minded vehicles outstayed their welcome. This proved to be a liability for these vintage tanks, when the Federation launched their retaliation campaigns against the Arachnids and the Batarians. But despite its age they maintained excellent defensive capabilities, as everything from Skinnie Chariots to Batarian Varush tanks learned to fear its assault gun variant, the Dustbin.
Already when the 2nd Bug War came to an end, these vehicles showed their age, and it was only made worse with the discovery of the Mass Effect technology. Originally just an old variant for a style of warfare made impossible by the Bugs and Skinnies, it was quickly rendered obsolete by advancing technology from the Citadel League. The most obvious disadvantages was the lack of a kinetic shield, along with inferior metallurgical protection against hi-velocity Mass Accelerators, these quickly proved to be fatal for the unfortunate crew of these tanks which faced raids from the Terminus and Batarians. Nevertheless, they are still being mass produced and constantly upgraded with up-to-date equipment. Examples of these upgrades include ablative laser proof coatings, improved thermal sensors, state of the art armor plating, and improved engines.
The tank has a reputation for being cheap, fast, and reliable. Able to run on anything that burns, can reach up to 88km/h in favorable off road terrain, being relatively easy to maintain, and can mount a variety of weapon systems. It maintains the Federation’s desire for modularity, with the various turrets able to be replaced, and casement weapon’s also able to be swapped out. Typically used for garrisons in defensive actions, the tank has a reputation for being the Colonist’s vehicle of choice, with it pulling double duty in farming, mining, forestry, and many more industries, with the Colony of Neo Novogorsk claiming it as their Planet Vehicle.
Specification (M29 Mark IV Main Battle Tank)
Height:3.56 m
Length:7.4 m
Width:3.53 m
Weight: 36 tons
Ground Clearance: 0.5m
Armor:
-240mm front
-120mm sides
-300mm turret (actual turret protection with ablative coating and ERA is 1200mm)
-70mm rear
Speed:88km/h
Powerplant: 2x Morita Liberty turbodiesel Engines
Shielding:
-Composite armor (baseline tank hull and turret)
-NBC protection system
-EMP immune vacuum tubes
-Explosive Reactive Armor plates
Armaments:
-1x140 mm MW-97B Thunderstrike hi-velocity rifled cannon (with access to HEAT FS, HESH and APDS munitions)
-2 x Morita 12.7mm HMG (coaxial and optional anti-air)
Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Commander)
Suspension: Torsion bar
M40 Susanoo Transitional Combat Tank
The M40 Susanoo is one of the most modern Main Battle Tanks operated by the Terran Federation. Due to being costly technological prototype units to served as "transitional combat vehicle design" to gain experiences with new mass effect-based technologies, only a small quantities of them were produced before the Federation opted to choose the M42 Pluton as the mainstay MBTs for the Army instead.
A combined effort of Turian engineering with Terran simplified doctrines, the M-40 Main Battle Tank was the answer to a modular and effective armored combat vehicle, which can fulfill many specialized roles on the battlefield
Amongst its technological upgrades is the unique Magnetic Levitation Drive system. This new propulsion system utilizes an enclosed loop movement, driving a continuous caterpillar track. Because of the required space to install a cooling system and fuel cells as well as the Eezo core, the tank tracks has to be raised and redesigned in a rhomboid shape with a higher profile than the previous Centurion MBT, giving it a retro-appearance similar to the tanks during the Great War, or the First World War, of the pre-Federation era.
Its deceptive looks can be a valuable distraction in a heated battle, when an exposed track is shot off from its chained link, the track will continue to be linked together thanks to the looping movement of the Mag-Lev drive, and even if all track links were destroyed, the tank can still move on its own road wheels, although at a much slower speed. The only way to disable the tank completely is to destroy its Mag-Lev Drives, which are heavily armored and enclosed on each track. In addition to the innovative Mag-Lev Drive, this tank is also the first Federation armored combat vehicle designed to incorporate a kinetic barrier generator, which greatly enhances its protection in combat compared to previous Federal designs, giving the crew a higher chance of survival on the battlefield and increasing its defense.
Due to the high production cost, the Susanoo have a lower procurement rate compared to the older Centurion. 5 Centurion MBTs can be produced for every Susanoo being made. After the first Batarian War, the Terran Federation Army was reported to have a total of 225 of these vehicles in service, while the System Alliance was in possession of 81 exported tanks (33 standard MBT variant and 38 anti-aircraft tanks).
Specification (M40A1 Main Battle Tank)
Role: Main Battle Tank
Operators:
-Terran Federation
-Systems Alliance (M41 export variants)
Armaments:
-1 x 125 mm Rosenkov RD-10 Plasma Railgun
-2 x Morita 12.7mm HMG (coaxial mount and in remote-controlled turret)
Armor:
-330mm front
-150mm sides
-300mm turret (actual turret protection with ablative coating and ERA is 1200mm)
-90mm rear
Shielding:
-Kinetic Barrier generator
-Composite armor
(baseline tank hull and turret)
-NBC protection system
-EMP immune vacuum tubes
-Explosive Reactive Armor plates
Height: 3.57m
Length: 8.3m
Width: 3.59m
Speed: 75km/h
Powerplant: 1 xNashan Stellar Dynamics NS-40 multi-fuel gas turbine (1600 hp), 2x Twin Mag-Lev Drives
Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Commander)
Weight: 45 tons
Suspension: Torsion bar
www.alternatehistory.com/forum…
M27 Centurion II Universal Combat Tank
An antiquated Federation Main Battle Tank, the type was no longer in service in the mainstay Federatal Army during the Second Bug War,although they are still being manufactured for colonial garrisons which lacked access to high-end equipments and maintenance facilities.
The Centurion design was based on the principle of hit-and-run defensive tactics back during the Disorder Wars period on Earth. Designed to be mobile and small, with greater flexibility compared to its successors, its small chassis means it can move up relatively narrow mountain roads, and more can be fit upon trains and transportation. With the Federation rethinking their mindset on the more defensive doctrines for their armored units, these defense minded vehicles outstayed their welcome. This proved to be a liability for these vintage tanks, when the Federation launched their retaliation campaigns against the Arachnids and the Batarians. But despite its age they maintained excellent defensive capabilities, as everything from Skinnie Chariots to Batarian Varush tanks learned to fear its assault gun variant, the Dustbin.
Already when the 2nd Bug War came to an end, these vehicles showed their age, and it was only made worse with the discovery of the Mass Effect technology. Originally just an old variant for a style of warfare made impossible by the Bugs and Skinnies, it was quickly rendered obsolete by advancing technology from the Citadel League. The most obvious disadvantages was the lack of a kinetic shield, along with inferior metallurgical protection against hi-velocity Mass Accelerators, these quickly proved to be fatal for the unfortunate crew of these tanks which faced raids from the Terminus and Batarians. Nevertheless, they are still being mass produced and constantly upgraded with up-to-date equipment. Examples of these upgrades include ablative laser proof coatings, improved thermal sensors, state of the art armor plating, and improved engines.
The tank has a reputation for being cheap, fast, and reliable. Able to run on anything that burns, can reach up to 88km/h in favorable off road terrain, being relatively easy to maintain, and can mount a variety of weapon systems. It maintains the Federation’s desire for modularity, with the various turrets able to be replaced, and casement weapon’s also able to be swapped out. Typically used for garrisons in defensive actions, the tank has a reputation for being the Colonist’s vehicle of choice, with it pulling double duty in farming, mining, forestry, and many more industries, with the Colony of Neo Novogorsk claiming it as their Planet Vehicle.
Specification (M29 Mark IV Main Battle Tank)
Height:3.56 m
Length:7.4 m
Width:3.53 m
Weight: 36 tons
Ground Clearance: 0.5m
Armor:
-240mm front
-120mm sides
-300mm turret (actual turret protection with ablative coating and ERA is 1200mm)
-70mm rear
Speed:88km/h
Powerplant: 2x Morita Liberty turbodiesel Engines
Shielding:
-Composite armor (baseline tank hull and turret)
-NBC protection system
-EMP immune vacuum tubes
-Explosive Reactive Armor plates
Armaments:
-1x140 mm MW-97B Thunderstrike hi-velocity rifled cannon (with access to HEAT FS, HESH and APDS munitions)
-2 x Morita 12.7mm HMG (coaxial and optional anti-air)
Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Commander)
Suspension: Torsion bar
M40 Susanoo Transitional Combat Tank
The M40 Susanoo is one of the most modern Main Battle Tanks operated by the Terran Federation. Due to being costly technological prototype units to served as "transitional combat vehicle design" to gain experiences with new mass effect-based technologies, only a small quantities of them were produced before the Federation opted to choose the M42 Pluton as the mainstay MBTs for the Army instead.
A combined effort of Turian engineering with Terran simplified doctrines, the M-40 Main Battle Tank was the answer to a modular and effective armored combat vehicle, which can fulfill many specialized roles on the battlefield
Amongst its technological upgrades is the unique Magnetic Levitation Drive system. This new propulsion system utilizes an enclosed loop movement, driving a continuous caterpillar track. Because of the required space to install a cooling system and fuel cells as well as the Eezo core, the tank tracks has to be raised and redesigned in a rhomboid shape with a higher profile than the previous Centurion MBT, giving it a retro-appearance similar to the tanks during the Great War, or the First World War, of the pre-Federation era.
Its deceptive looks can be a valuable distraction in a heated battle, when an exposed track is shot off from its chained link, the track will continue to be linked together thanks to the looping movement of the Mag-Lev drive, and even if all track links were destroyed, the tank can still move on its own road wheels, although at a much slower speed. The only way to disable the tank completely is to destroy its Mag-Lev Drives, which are heavily armored and enclosed on each track. In addition to the innovative Mag-Lev Drive, this tank is also the first Federation armored combat vehicle designed to incorporate a kinetic barrier generator, which greatly enhances its protection in combat compared to previous Federal designs, giving the crew a higher chance of survival on the battlefield and increasing its defense.
Due to the high production cost, the Susanoo have a lower procurement rate compared to the older Centurion. 5 Centurion MBTs can be produced for every Susanoo being made. After the first Batarian War, the Terran Federation Army was reported to have a total of 225 of these vehicles in service, while the System Alliance was in possession of 81 exported tanks (33 standard MBT variant and 38 anti-aircraft tanks).
Specification (M40A1 Main Battle Tank)
Role: Main Battle Tank
Operators:
-Terran Federation
-Systems Alliance (M41 export variants)
Armaments:
-1 x 125 mm Rosenkov RD-10 Plasma Railgun
-2 x Morita 12.7mm HMG (coaxial mount and in remote-controlled turret)
Armor:
-330mm front
-150mm sides
-300mm turret (actual turret protection with ablative coating and ERA is 1200mm)
-90mm rear
Shielding:
-Kinetic Barrier generator
-Composite armor
(baseline tank hull and turret)
-NBC protection system
-EMP immune vacuum tubes
-Explosive Reactive Armor plates
Height: 3.57m
Length: 8.3m
Width: 3.59m
Speed: 75km/h
Powerplant: 1 xNashan Stellar Dynamics NS-40 multi-fuel gas turbine (1600 hp), 2x Twin Mag-Lev Drives
Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Commander)
Weight: 45 tons
Suspension: Torsion bar
3 aircrafts designed, inspired by my short alternate history "Opération Charlemagne" (available in french).
Arsenal VB.31 Requin https://www.deviantart.com/beignetbison/art/Arsenal-VB-31-Requin-843090102
Arsenal VB.33 Epaulard https://www.deviantart.com/beignetbison/art/Arsenal-VB-33-Epaulard-843075520
Arsenal VB.38 Espadon
I found your DA account recently, you have some wonderful artworks there. I've already put some of them into my favourites.
Oh oh, please tell!I found your DA account recently, you have some wonderful artworks there. I've already put some of them into my favourites.