.PNG)
HMAS Melbourne (CL-1938+)
Utililising the same hull as the County Class cruisers (see Canberra), 4 triple six inch were fitted in the same place that 3 triple 7.5" also fitted. The new superstructure layout with the heavy secondary battery of 12 x 4.5" was as good as any. Built for trade protection duties, 2 aircraft were carried for search procedures.
Armour was at a level of protection against 8" gunfire as being the most common type of cruiser that these ships were likely to encounter.
4 units were laid down, 2 in 1937 (HMAS Melbourne & HMAS Invercargill 1941) and another in 1938 (HMAS Perth 1941) and the final one in 1939 (HMAS Brisbane 1943).
| Displacement | 10,000 tons std, 13,200 tons full load |
| Length | 605 ft |
| Breadth | 63 ft |
| Draught | 25 ft |
| Machinery | 4 shaft Steam turbines 72,000 shp |
| Speed | 32 knots |
| Range | 5,000 miles at 18 knots |
| Armour | 4" side, 2.5" deck, 3" turrets |
| Armament | 12 x 6" (4x3) 12 x 4.5" (6x2) 16 x 2pd (4x4) 8 x 40mm (8x1) |
| Aircraft | 2 |
| Torpedoes | nil |
| Complement | 800 |
| Notes |
