Yamato II Class Battleships.
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Everybody who knows anything about warships knows the Yamato class. Originally
to be a class of four, Yamato and Musashi were completed as battleships and
their war stories have been covered extensively. The Shinano was finally
completed as an aircraft carrier in 1944 and was sunk during trials by a
submarine. The fourth unit (Hachimantai?) was never completed or even started
from what I can tell.
The thing I have against the Yamato class is the sheer amount of resources that
was used for these ships. What if (I love those two words) the Japanese updated
the No.13-16 class designs and laid down four ships in 1933 and 1934 for
completion in 1939 to 1941. These would be almost 20,000 tons smaller than the
Yamato class ships and still be armed with 8x18.1" guns. It would be in the
armour protection scheme that the largest saving in weight would be found. The
massive 25 inch turret faces would reduce to 16 inch, side armour and deck
armour would be reduced. In spite of all that, they would still be better than
any of their overseas competitors and only matched by my German giants. Imagine
what you could do for the Japanese with 80,000 spare tons of shipyard
production? Four Hiryu, or three Shokaku, talk about tip the scales in the
Japanese favour.
Completed in October 1939 the Yamato made a great sight. No hangar was
provided for the aircraft. A tent like structure could be erected off the funnel
surrounds for maintenance work. The aircraft were removed completely in 1943.
Displacement:
50,000 tons standard, 61,500 tons full load
Dimensions:
864 x 118 x 32 feet
Machinery:
4 shaft, steam turbines 140,000shp
Speed:
27 knots
Endurance:
14,000 miles at 14 knots.
Armour:
14" belt, 6" deck, 18/12/9" turrets
Armament:
8 x 18.1" (4x2)
20 x 5" (10x2)
54 x 25mm (18x3)
Aircraft - 3
Crew: 3250
Just as a different drawing I have updated the Yamato type with a 40mm drawing.
My premise for the change to 40mm guns is the capture of Dutch guns in the East
Indies. Japan should be able to reverse engineer these and have them in service
1943, which should certainly enhance their AA capabilities. I am sure the
Japanese would do the same as they did with the 25mm and pop new 40mm weapons
wherever room could be found for them.
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Displacement:
50,000 tons standard, 61,500 tons full load
Dimensions:
864 x 118 x 32 feet
Machinery:
4 shaft, steam turbines 140,000shp
Speed:
27 knots
Endurance:
14,000 miles at 14 knots.
Armour:
14" belt, 6" deck, 18/12/9" turrets
Armament:
8 x 18.1" (4x2)
20 x 5" (10x2)
36 x 40mm (18x2)
Aircraft - 3
Crew: 3250
Original real life Yamato in final guise with hundreds of AA guns in every
little space that could be found for them. Did not help of course with the
Yamato being overwhelmed by aircraft from USN carriers.
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