Gunfire Support ships

Re: Gunfire Support ships

feeds@yuku.com (Dave Bender) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:04:50 GMT

In 1950 the U.S. Navy had zillions of Cleveland class cruisers in mothballs. After modification the 6"/47 QF main gun turrets were capable of 60 degree elevation. What more could you want for gunfire support? And they cost you nothing.

Re: Gunfire Support ships

feeds@yuku.com (E F Draaijers) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:28:08 GMT

I have to agree with Dave, since there is absolutely no need for such a heavy and dito very expensive armored vessel in the fifties. Any ship with guns, whatever the calliber can do the same job at much less costs. The combination of the Army 155 mm howitzer on a ship's hull is prommising, since the first is already quite abundent and the ships hull can be small and cheap with no armor of whatever sort. Even a middle sized landingship can be addapted for the gun, making conversions on the...

Re: Gunfire Support ships

feeds@yuku.com (Dave Bender) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:57:35 GMT

155mm has been the most popular size for medium army howitzers for the past 100 years. That is the size you need for naval gunfire support of ground troops. Just mount standard army howitzers in high angle (60 degree) turrets. You also want helicopters for the artillery forward observers. Armor needs to be only 2 or 3 inches thick. You need protection against return fire from enemy howitzers ashore not against 16" naval rifles.

Re: Gunfire Support ships

feeds@yuku.com (Michael Garrity) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:09:22 GMT

Ahoy:

This next design is the Warwick's much bigger brother:

USS Central Falls, United States Gunfire Support vessel laid down 1950

Displacement: 199,163 t light; 212,168 t standard; 236,902 t normal; 256,690 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)

(1,428.02 ft /...

Gunfire Support ships

feeds@yuku.com (Michael Garrity) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:04:29 GMT

Ahoy, there:

I have adapted a couple of my battleship designs to serve as gunfire support vessels. Here's the first:

USS Warwick, United States Gunfire Support ship laid down 1950

Displacement: 80,617 t light; 86,481 t standard; 98,349 t normal; 107,844 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)

...