Assume Rodney taken in hand 1941-44 and reconstructed as per admiralty scheme below.
New belt will be deeper, splinter protection extened to soft ends. LA fire control and HA fire control will be as per 1944/45 completion RN major ships, as in HACS Mk VI or Mk 37. Second generation 5.25in guns. LA control would include type 274 radar, updates to the DCT and AFCT incorperating the latest TIC and cross levelling gear. Heavier 2200lb shells would be likely. Machinery replacement would involve longer range and another 2 knots speed.
If you like, rather than a this vs that comparison, if you assessed the fighting value of North Carolina numerically, by rating firepower, protection, fire control, speed, endurance (moderated by operational requirements if you like), anti torpedo boat and anti aircraft armerment etc as 100, what would be the modernised Rodneys score?
Modernization. There would be a natural desire to take the opportunity of the Large Repair to bring the ships up to date. Certain proposals have been made, all of which have their points and which are subject to discussion. These are :-
New belt will be deeper, splinter protection extened to soft ends. LA fire control and HA fire control will be as per 1944/45 completion RN major ships, as in HACS Mk VI or Mk 37. Second generation 5.25in guns. LA control would include type 274 radar, updates to the DCT and AFCT incorperating the latest TIC and cross levelling gear. Heavier 2200lb shells would be likely. Machinery replacement would involve longer range and another 2 knots speed.
If you like, rather than a this vs that comparison, if you assessed the fighting value of North Carolina numerically, by rating firepower, protection, fire control, speed, endurance (moderated by operational requirements if you like), anti torpedo boat and anti aircraft armerment etc as 100, what would be the modernised Rodneys score?
Modernization. There would be a natural desire to take the opportunity of the Large Repair to bring the ships up to date. Certain proposals have been made, all of which have their points and which are subject to discussion. These are :-
|
Item.
|
Cost.
|
Time Required .
|
|
A. New Belt
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£650,000
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2 years.
|
|
B. New Machinery
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£700,00
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2 ½ - 3 years.
|
|
C. H.A. Re-armament
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£900,000
|
2 years.
|
|
D. Aircraft arrangements.
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£180,000
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During re-armament.
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|
E. New Bridges
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£100,000
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1 ½ years.
|
|
F. Torpedo Tube removal
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£10,000
|
During repairs
|
|
£2,540,000
|
||
| Add for defects and ( normal alterations and ) additions |
£460,000
|
|
|
£3,000,000
|
3. Of the above A is important, B would give two knots more speed, C is in my opinion of doubtful value, D still more doubtful except perhaps on turrets, E is desirable, F should be done.
4. An important aspect of the modernizing "NELSON" and "RODNEY" within a reasonable time is that, in order to provide a new belt (A above), it would almost certainly be necessary to increase our order with Vitkovice in the near future.
5. Apart from the above large scale "modernization", "RODNEY" could have additional armour and better H.A. control arrangements fitted in about 6 months, to make her similar to "NELSON".
