Remember, from the point of view of the British, it's EVERYWHERE until it's seen...
HMS Anson soldiers on
- Thread starter alspug
- Start date
Remember, from the point of view of the British, it's EVERYWHERE until it's seen...
Amazing story line I’m surprised that they did not go after the two Type 42s one sea Dart each would have ended them
After this has all ended there will be lots of Navy’s around the world looking at their ships and saying oops. I can just picture HMS Belfast being used again. One question are the Tiger Class still in reserve at this point a quick and dirty fit out may be helpful
After this has all ended there will be lots of Navy’s around the world looking at their ships and saying oops. I can just picture HMS Belfast being used again. One question are the Tiger Class still in reserve at this point a quick and dirty fit out may be helpful
Something else to keep in mind....USS Des Moines and Salem were in mothballs in Philadelphia along with the 4 Iowas...those automatic 8 inchers!!!!
the issue like the Iowas dealt with how much they cost to run...can you reduce crew size? and how much would it cost to do the further modernization....will the money be spent on Iowa to bring her up to full standard?
the issue like the Iowas dealt with how much they cost to run...can you reduce crew size? and how much would it cost to do the further modernization....will the money be spent on Iowa to bring her up to full standard?
All 4 of these battleships were used for spare parts when the Iowas were reactivated...then again it depends on how much money you want to spend...
Nick P
Donor
They would probably be on display at the Royal Navy Museum in Portsmouth, turret and all. Mounting a gun outside a Sea Cadet centre would make a nice display too.
Today there is definitely one gun outside at the Royal Armoury, Fort Nelson - but the museum only opened in 1995. In 1982 there's probably a few 14" gun barrels sat in a shed gathering dust.
I can't remember the exact date but the 14" gun was even placed at fort Nelson until the museum had been open for about 4 years
Given that the multi gun multi turrets of the classic battleships were for rate of fire against peer opponents then it might be concluded that an ocean going monitor with a single gun and substantial armour against sea skimming missiles and plunging missiles would be a more useful vessel needing less crew and fuel, engines etc. Not to mention that large shells are expensive but nowhere near as much as large missiles and need no guidance beyond the 'launch' and are immune to jamming or false targets. Once you have gone bang only physics determine the result. Not something useful for normal peacetime naval work and only called upon in actual war. A task for the RN Reserve. Modern metallurgy and methods mean a large gun can be lighter and the ammunition more effective than WW2 leftovers and erosion is better controlled giving longer barrel life in terms of rounds shot. Modern systems will be able to automatically compensate for bore wear again prolonging the life of the barrel. Weight saved means that an ocean going monitor can carry a serious weight of armour. More ammunition can be carried for the one gun or turret so not only more rounds but a greater variety such as HE, airburst and the trade offs in extreme ranges and explosive weight. Literally a new HMS Dreadnaught. Armoured against missiles and who knows what range for it's gun/s when ground 155mm/6 inch artillery is being offered with a 100km range if you are working with an 18@ gun.
I wonder how much of an auto loader can you do with something along the lines of a 14/15/16/18 inch gun? Also what does this do to shore installations of large caliber coastal guns? If you can put an autoloader on a ship, imagine what you could do to a fixed site or even a railway gun.
Ming777
Monthly Donor
To be honest, the autoloader might not be worth for BB calibre guns. It means the barrel wears out faster, and take up more space and weight than the current system.
The Des Moines had a larger displacement and size to accomodate virtually the same loadout as a Baltimore class.
The Des Moines had a larger displacement and size to accomodate virtually the same loadout as a Baltimore class.
HMS Conqueror was approaching Port Stanley at 3 knots . With the current as much as anything directing them they had been ordered to carry out a pre bombardment survey of the sonar conditions and hopefully get a chance at the ARA San Luis . The only ship the Argentinians had that could be a threat to HMS Anson . Even as they drifted in the conversation was centred on the possibility of the Tigerfish actually catching it and sinking it . The consensus was that the Tigerfish was likely to scare them but not hurt them . Suddenly the sonar operator screamed "torpedo launch , starboard side " . Instantly the command to avoid was given . HMS Conqueror accelerated rapidly and changed course . 2 minutes later the Sonar reported no Hydrophone Effect from a Torpedo . Now that it was obvious that a submarine was present HMS Conqueror had changed from survey to hunt and kill . A quick signal to Northwood then an ingress to the location of the torpedo launch from a different direction . Again no sign of an opponent and then the warning of ballast tank noises from the Port Side and then the call of Torpedo in the water came again . This time HMS Conqueror did not accelerate past her ability to listen and the Sonar operator heard the unmistakeable sounds of a torpedo motor followed by a breaking noise .
On board ARA San Luis first the elation of ambushing a nuclear hunter killer . Then the disappointment as the Torpedo failed to track and just disappeared into the silt . Even as they tried to work out what went wrong the sound of an incoming torpedo sent them scurrying from their hide at flank speed . Even as they hit 21 kts the battery charge indicator began to visibly drop . 5 minutes later they began to slow and check the sonar display . From astern came the sound of an incoming torpedo so again they pushed to flank speed and attempted to break contact . The second Mk 8 did the same as the first . It caused the diesel electric to use valuable charge and create enough cavitation on the hull to be tracked and targeted .
The decision to launch the first Mk 8 to flush the prey was actually an idea by a young officer who remarked that they need to flush them into the open and a torpedo would make them react . The young Officers recommendation was entered into the log along with the fact that the tactic worked . What did not work however was the third torpedo launched it was a tigerfish and at 24 knots it could catch up but once put at full speed the guidance wires broke causing a flat out miss . After two misses a new plan was decided . Another Mark 8 was launched and HMS conqueror closed at flank speed only slowing after 5 minutes . By a stroke of luck they had slowed down 30 seconds before ARA San Luis and now according to sonar should be less then 4,000 yards away . Another Tigerfish was launched and this time it functioned perfectly . It began to eat up the distance to ARA San Luis and 8 minutes later detonated against the lower hull of ARA San Luis . The breakup noises and implosion was so loud it was heard through the boat . It was with a heavy heart that Northwood was informed of the action and loss of Argentina's last hope .
The action was not reported to the public however it did mean the Invasion was back on . HMS Anson slipped her moorings and again led the Royal Navy out and on course for Stanley . HMS Anson would have an hour to suppress the defences and then they would stay ready to assist . In Port Stanley the men manning the artillery and missiles wondered what would happen next . Rumour had it the Americans had loaned a Battleship to the British and the navy had sunk it .
On board ARA San Luis first the elation of ambushing a nuclear hunter killer . Then the disappointment as the Torpedo failed to track and just disappeared into the silt . Even as they tried to work out what went wrong the sound of an incoming torpedo sent them scurrying from their hide at flank speed . Even as they hit 21 kts the battery charge indicator began to visibly drop . 5 minutes later they began to slow and check the sonar display . From astern came the sound of an incoming torpedo so again they pushed to flank speed and attempted to break contact . The second Mk 8 did the same as the first . It caused the diesel electric to use valuable charge and create enough cavitation on the hull to be tracked and targeted .
The decision to launch the first Mk 8 to flush the prey was actually an idea by a young officer who remarked that they need to flush them into the open and a torpedo would make them react . The young Officers recommendation was entered into the log along with the fact that the tactic worked . What did not work however was the third torpedo launched it was a tigerfish and at 24 knots it could catch up but once put at full speed the guidance wires broke causing a flat out miss . After two misses a new plan was decided . Another Mark 8 was launched and HMS conqueror closed at flank speed only slowing after 5 minutes . By a stroke of luck they had slowed down 30 seconds before ARA San Luis and now according to sonar should be less then 4,000 yards away . Another Tigerfish was launched and this time it functioned perfectly . It began to eat up the distance to ARA San Luis and 8 minutes later detonated against the lower hull of ARA San Luis . The breakup noises and implosion was so loud it was heard through the boat . It was with a heavy heart that Northwood was informed of the action and loss of Argentina's last hope .
The action was not reported to the public however it did mean the Invasion was back on . HMS Anson slipped her moorings and again led the Royal Navy out and on course for Stanley . HMS Anson would have an hour to suppress the defences and then they would stay ready to assist . In Port Stanley the men manning the artillery and missiles wondered what would happen next . Rumour had it the Americans had loaned a Battleship to the British and the navy had sunk it .
Another glorious victory for the Royal Navy's history books and the second sinking of a submarine by a submarine while both were submerged and the second one by a vessel in the RN. I see promising things in the future of that innovative officer from Conqueror. Also those poor Argentine conspricts are about to be quite literally thunderstruck by a volley of 14 inch high explosive tea biscuits.
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So the shore batteries get flattened by 14" shells and then the FAA and RAF get unleashed and since Atlantic converyor hasnt gone down this time there are pleny of Helicopters knocking around in this time lines so once the landings are made the British can move around the Islands at will so Stanley can be taken fairly quickly. Hmm sounds to predictable, I suspect there is a plan B or C for the Argies.
Oh I hope this timeline goes on and we see Ansons Glorious service in the Gulf and of course the moment while on patrol in the Baltic HMS Anson has had enough of the Cold war and knocks down the berlin Wall from Rostock!
Oh I hope this timeline goes on and we see Ansons Glorious service in the Gulf and of course the moment while on patrol in the Baltic HMS Anson has had enough of the Cold war and knocks down the berlin Wall from Rostock!
American SR-71 flights had by now been detected by the Cuban Advisors and this was duly complained about in the UN . The British response was typical stiff upper lip in manner and brought the proceedings to a halt . The British Ambassador simply stood up and stated that the American Cousins had agreed some time ago to use the capabilities of some long range assets to carry out survey work for the good of the British Citizens and British Territory . Anyone who wishes to object to this can explain what they are doing on British Soil without permission . No sooner had this uproar subsided when the Argentinian Ambassador again claimed sovereignty over the islands by various means . In reply the British Ambassador simply stated that according to international law any territorial gains in a war against an aggressor become conquered territory . He then pulled out a declaration of war with grievances laid out . Then he dropped a bombshell . By the way we sank a second submarine in the TEZ off Port Stanley it is probably a Type 209 by the sound signature . Our fighting men are ready and willing to fight .
After he sat down the American Ambassador stood up and stated it was very concerning that an invasion of a members territory had taken place . It was even more concerning that members had joined in the fighting and provided succour to the aggressor . The end result was that nothing really changed . The Junta found out they had lost a submarine at least 2 days earlier then otherwise would have occurred . The Junta used this as a way of telling the people how they had suffered a series of surprise attacks while liberating the Malvinas . The Royal navy was furious that a strategic victory had been weakened but still happy with the result .
For the crew of HMS Anson the days spent repairing and preparing for more action was almost intolerable . Every weapon system was running at top efficiency and ready to go . Again the Fleet left South Georgia as they headed for Port Stanley . The Carriers had by now shifted most of the Helicopter force to either shore or the convoys civilian ships . HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible had never operated so many aircraft at once . HMS Invincible was operating 16 Sea Harrier and 3 Sea King while HMS Hermes was operating 16 sea Harrier and 10 Harrier GR3 with 10 Sea Kings to round out the complement . This gave good options for the CAP as it was possible to run a GR3 and a Shar together with the Shar as flight lead . It was decided that at least 4 aircraft would be on station at all times . This would use allthe aircraft up rapidly and could only be sustained for two days of daylight operations before maintenance started to eat into patrol times .
After he sat down the American Ambassador stood up and stated it was very concerning that an invasion of a members territory had taken place . It was even more concerning that members had joined in the fighting and provided succour to the aggressor . The end result was that nothing really changed . The Junta found out they had lost a submarine at least 2 days earlier then otherwise would have occurred . The Junta used this as a way of telling the people how they had suffered a series of surprise attacks while liberating the Malvinas . The Royal navy was furious that a strategic victory had been weakened but still happy with the result .
For the crew of HMS Anson the days spent repairing and preparing for more action was almost intolerable . Every weapon system was running at top efficiency and ready to go . Again the Fleet left South Georgia as they headed for Port Stanley . The Carriers had by now shifted most of the Helicopter force to either shore or the convoys civilian ships . HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible had never operated so many aircraft at once . HMS Invincible was operating 16 Sea Harrier and 3 Sea King while HMS Hermes was operating 16 sea Harrier and 10 Harrier GR3 with 10 Sea Kings to round out the complement . This gave good options for the CAP as it was possible to run a GR3 and a Shar together with the Shar as flight lead . It was decided that at least 4 aircraft would be on station at all times . This would use allthe aircraft up rapidly and could only be sustained for two days of daylight operations before maintenance started to eat into patrol times .
The British Ambassador simply stood up and stated that the American Cousins had agreed some time ago to use the capabilities of some long range assets to carry out survey work for the good of the British Citizens and British Territory.
Ah yes, the time honored explanation of using very expensive military strategic reconnaissance assets for survey work...
Ah yes, the time honored explanation of using very expensive military strategic reconnaissance assets for survey work...
Rubbish. All the Argentinians saw was:
Swamp gas.
A weather balloon.
Swamp gas.
A meteorological flight.
More swamp gas.