KM Vaterland (CV-1942)
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Largest of the Germanic States aircraft carriers they were only eclipsed in size by the large post-war US carriers. Built to take air supperiority in any area they were active in, their air complement went a long way to guaranteeing that. With three deck edge lifts for uncluttered aircraft handling from hangar to flight deck the Vaterlands were able to put a large force into the air in a short time. The smaller fighters with smaller wingspans when folded were able to be put onto the lifts 2 at a time.
(If Whittles War does not happen) The Vaterlands were the first aircraft carriers to handle jet aircraft in late 1943 with a navalised version of the Me-262 undergoing flight deck trials on the Vaterland. A navalised version of the Arado 236 jet bomber followed to give the ships a long range strike capability.
Displacement | 52,500 tons std, 61,800 full load |
Length | 1031 ft |
Breadth | 116 ft (142 ft over sponsons) |
Draught | 34 ft |
Machinery | 4 shaft mixed turbine/diesel propulsion 2 x Steam Turbines 160,000shp 2 x Diesels 60,000bhp |
Speed | 33 knots |
Range | 12,000 miles at 18 knots |
Armour | 3.9" side, 3.9" deck, 5.9" magazines |
Armament | 16 x 4.1" (8x2) 20 x 37mm (10x2) 46 x 20mm (4x4 30x1) |
Aircraft | 114 |
Torpedoes | nil |
Complement | 2850 |
Notes | KM Vaterland KM Imperator |