Ok been following a few threads were the RN gets info to upgrade it's ships etc . From what research i have done it seems a POD needs to be no later then 1935 . This year is when the design for the KGV was frozen . it also offers the ability to modernise the AA guns and Destroyer guns into true DP weapons . My personal opinion is that the RN had terrible destroyer guns . they were fine for low angfle work but terrible at high angle . unlike many i actually think the pom pom was a brilliant weapon and actually the best fo the 1930's . unfortunately it was used in the 1940's . What i feel is needed is the foillowing .
1. The KGV class needs to recieve 15inch triple turrets.
Justrification will be .
A. we have large stocks of 15 inch shells . ( money saver )
B. if needed we can scrap the R class battleships and do a one for one replacement .
C . The French are building 15 inch , the Itakians 15 inch . The Germans 15 inch and the Americans 16 inch .
2. The destroyer guns and secondaries on all heavier ships need to change. Their is no reason for a fixed shell and cartridge weighing 35kg plus . suggested modifications to the guns include.
A. power rammer , this will increase rate of fire and crew exhaustion will be reduced.
B. Seperate loading ammunition . This reduces weight to be placed in rammer tray to around 25kg . this is heavy but manageable .
C. Higher elevation .
D. power traverse and elevation provided .
E. Add a fuze setter to the power rammer tray . ie Shell is placed on tray . rammer pushes shell and cartidge into contact with fuse setter . fuse setter sets fuse and is withdrawn shell loaded and fired .
F. Calibre to be used can be 4.5 or 4.7 .
3. Short range AA guns . Pom pom is good but low velocity , suggest increasing velocity and range with either a larger cartridge and longer barrels or same cartridge and smaller calibre. ie 30 mm . prefer 40 mm bofors shell to be used. Bofors Cartridge is 15 cm longer and contains much more propellant , MV is at least 150m/s faster . If possible mass produce the twin 40 mm bofors gun .
4. Spotter aircraft on battleships are a fire risk . if you are going to mount them do it on the fantail .
With all of these suggestions being acted upon by WW2 breaking out you have better AAA fleetwide. KGV class is armed with triple 15 inch turrets and probably 16 to 20 DP guns . ( double rate of fire of the 5.25)
1. The KGV class needs to recieve 15inch triple turrets.
Justrification will be .
A. we have large stocks of 15 inch shells . ( money saver )
B. if needed we can scrap the R class battleships and do a one for one replacement .
C . The French are building 15 inch , the Itakians 15 inch . The Germans 15 inch and the Americans 16 inch .
2. The destroyer guns and secondaries on all heavier ships need to change. Their is no reason for a fixed shell and cartridge weighing 35kg plus . suggested modifications to the guns include.
A. power rammer , this will increase rate of fire and crew exhaustion will be reduced.
B. Seperate loading ammunition . This reduces weight to be placed in rammer tray to around 25kg . this is heavy but manageable .
C. Higher elevation .
D. power traverse and elevation provided .
E. Add a fuze setter to the power rammer tray . ie Shell is placed on tray . rammer pushes shell and cartidge into contact with fuse setter . fuse setter sets fuse and is withdrawn shell loaded and fired .
F. Calibre to be used can be 4.5 or 4.7 .
3. Short range AA guns . Pom pom is good but low velocity , suggest increasing velocity and range with either a larger cartridge and longer barrels or same cartridge and smaller calibre. ie 30 mm . prefer 40 mm bofors shell to be used. Bofors Cartridge is 15 cm longer and contains much more propellant , MV is at least 150m/s faster . If possible mass produce the twin 40 mm bofors gun .
4. Spotter aircraft on battleships are a fire risk . if you are going to mount them do it on the fantail .
With all of these suggestions being acted upon by WW2 breaking out you have better AAA fleetwide. KGV class is armed with triple 15 inch turrets and probably 16 to 20 DP guns . ( double rate of fire of the 5.25)