Shipbucket

Well, I've had these modified ships rusting away in a folder for too long unfinished. So today I decided to break them out, mess around, and hopefully finish them. Are there errors? I'm certain of that; hopefully you good gentlemen will be so kind as to help me with that. Do these designs/modifications make sense or come close to it? Not by many a mile. Please be patient with me.

Originally I decided while bored to make a country. Later on, I discovered Nation States. Didn't work out very well. So now I'm back to a smattering (several word documents and these ships) of files that have accrued over the years about the lovely Grand Duchy of Laurette, so why not share them with you as background? Dating to 1780 when ten smaller duchies were united, the GDL really isn't a very impressive country. It's only real outstanding features are a large amount of metallic ores and surviving over two centuries of internal strife without a fallen government. Possessed of a series of coastal islands, and two chains farther out at sea, in addition to a sizable merchant marine has lead to the growth of a sufficiently large protective force for those oceanic assets. The last Royal Navy was disbanded in 1810. Since then the only seaborne force has been the Revenue Cutter Service. Serving in the law enforcement/at seas rescue capacity traditionally assigned to a Coast Guard (excluding shore based rescue stations; those fall under the purview of the Royal Laurettian Lifesaving Service. ATON work falls to the Royal Laurettian Lighthouse & Navigation Board) as well as a defensive force.... it is to say the least decidedly unspectacular.

Service Name: Revenue Cutter Service
Current Commander: Commodore Lady Sir Elizabeth du Becque, KOL, VM, SC, 14th Countess of Hollonburg
Current Commands:
-No. 1 Sea Frontier: Captain Sir Arnold Young, SC, KOL
-No. 2 Sea Frontier: Captain Lord Sir Wesley du Laurent-DeMarc, SC, KOL, 11th Viscount DeMarc of Cashville
-Civil Nuclear Authority Advisory Command: Lieutenant Elvis Yancey

Hull Classification Explained (in order of rate)
WHBC: W(RCS lead) H(igh-Endurance) B(attle) C(utter)
-Largest of RCS vessels, only seven have ever been commisioned; the most in service at any one time was four.
WHRC: W(RCS lead) H(igh-Endurance) R(evenue) C(utter)
-Typically the largest, best armed, best sea keeping, and most modern vessels in the RCS inventory. Currently two classes are in service
WLRC: W(RCS lead) L(ow-Endurance) R(evenue) C(utter)
-Workhorse of the fleet, these ships are responsible for most of the coastal and inshore work performed. Vessels of this type are also typically station ships for fishing ports.
WTC: W(RCS lead) T(raining) V(essel)
-Pretty self explanatory. Only one ship currently holds this designation.
HMAC: Short for Her/His Majesty's Armed Cutter, these tiniest of RCS cutters aren't found outside of bays or rivers very much these days. Their design hearkens back to (was copied from) the wooden hulled PT boats of World War Two fame. More then adequate for stopping weekend carousers and checking fishing permits.
CNAV: Civil Nuclear Authority Vessel. Not to be seen on this list, but nonetheless existing, are the boats of the CNA's recently acquired fleet. Composed of craft impounded by the RCS for violating the 1956 Maritime Conspiracy Act they have taken over responsibility for protecting Laurette's nuclear power plants.

Flag & Ensign Colors
Purple Ensign: Commissioned training vessel
Sky Blue: Civil Nuclear Authority craft
Green: Commissioned vessel of the Revenue Cutter Service
Black & Red Checked: Ship carrying the Grand Duke/Duchess or their consort
Green & Red Checked: Commander, Revenue Cutter Service embarked (almost obsolete)
National flag with yellow center bar: Ship in experimental or preliminary commission; craft impounded and seized for use by the RCS

Most Recent list of vessels afloat:
No. 1 Sea Frontier
-HMS Duchess Anette WHRC-01, Commander Lord Sir John Higgins, VM, SC, KOL, 1st Baron of Port Lodge
-HMS Karlsburg WHRC-05, Commander Sir Patrick Gamble, SC
-HMS Isles du Villiers WHRC-04, Commander Lord Robert Elbridge, 8th Baron of Madison
-HMS Champagne WLRC-67, Sub-Commander Sir Minerva Concord, SC
-HMS Gina WLRC-94, Lieutenant Henry Gosport
-HMS Sir Integra WLRC-12, Sub-Commander Even Loudon
-HMS Lady Penelope WLRC-78, Lieutenant Lady Sir Sarah de Argent, VM, KCOL, 7th Viscountess de Argent
-HMS City of Kendrick WLRC-54, Lieutenant Quentin K. Jones
-HMS Allendale Furnace WLRC-23, Lieutenant (act.) Lawrence Hale, jr., MM
-HMS Midway WLRC-51, Sub-Commander Henry Lodge, MM
-HMAC 89, 34, 112, 76, 32, 33, 09, 16, 43, 34, 35, 90, 21, 776, 202, 203, 204, 205

No. 2 Sea Frontier
-HMS Duke Andrew WHRC-02, Commander Gordon Kingsley, SC
-HMS Commodore Aaron Young WHRC-03, Commander Lady Sir Rebbecca Sprague, VM, SC, AMA, KOL, 1st Baroness of Sprague Neck
-HMS Badger WHRC-08, Sub-Commander Thomas Wright
-HMS Olsen WLRC-11, Lieutenant Gregory Charleston
-HMS Isle au Trenton WLRC-04, Sub-Commander Darrel Madison, SC
-HMS Brandenburg WLRC-80, Sub-Commander Olivia Hazard, SC, AMA
-HMS Belle Isle WLRC-17, Lieutenant Sir Kent Southerly, KOL
-HMS Minerva WLRC-28, Lieutenant His Grace Sir Henry de Argent, AMA, KCOL, KQO, 20th Count Bentwaters
-HMS Middle Mountain WLRC-78, Lieutenant Carson Underwood
-HMS Beth Hazen WLRC-84, Sub-Commander Adiya Porter, SC
-HMAC 17, 46, 47, 48, 202, 30, 100, 50, 73, 74, 23, 24, 02, 78, 991, 816, 44

Auxiliary Forces
-HMS Tucker WTV-1, Sub-Commander Thomas Post, SC (Service Academy)
-HMS Richman WHBC-07, newly commissioned; fitting out (prospective captain Lord Elbridge)
-HMS Ellen Wineburg WHRC-16, newly commissioned; fitting out (prospective captain Commander J.I. Higgins)

Finally, after all that blathering, the ships themselves. Here are the first few (most recently completed with fewest changes). Ones that have actually been modified... may be be sorted out tonight or not.



Name: HMS Richman WHBC-07 (ex-USS Oklahoma City)
Namesake: Albert Richman, 17th Secretary of the Treasury
Class: None (formerly Galveston Class light missile cruiser)
Hull Classification: WHBC
Radio Call Letters: P-R-V
Captain: None; Engineer-in-Charge, Lieutenant Allister La Breque
Notes: Newly recommissioned flagship of the Revenue Cutter Service, the Richman is the most powerful surface combat in the inventory despite pushing seventy.


Name: HMS Ellen Wineburg WHRC-16 (ex-USS Joesph Strauss, ex-Formion)
Namesake: Valor Medal winning signalman killed during Gorman's War
Class: None (formerly Charles F. Adams Class destroyer
Hull Classification: WHRC
Radio Call Letters: W-W-Z
Captain: None; Engineer-in-Charge, Lieutenant Quintin Johnson, SC
Notes: Slightly more modern then the Richman, the Wineburg is the RCS' most recently acquired cutter. Considered the second most powerful.


Name: HMS Midway WLRC-51 (ex-USS Beacon)
Namesake: Midway Life Saving Station, Outer Islands
Class: Provincial (formerly Asheville Class PG)
Hull Classification: WLRC
Radio Call Letters: M-W-Y
Captain: Sub-Commander Henry Lodge, MM
Notes: Refitted gunboat acquired from the US Navy in the late 80's.

Name: HMS Beth Hazen WLRC-84
Namesake: Keeper of Card's Straight Lighthouse
Class: Provincial (Asheville Class PG design)
Hull Classification: WLRC
Radio Call Letters: B-H-L
Captain: Sub-Commander Adiya Porter, SC
Notes: New gunboat built to Asheville plans in 1986


Name: HMS Tucker WTV-01
Namesake: Tucker Island
Class: Cannon Class DE
Hull Classification: WTV (formerly WMRC)
Radio Call Letters: R-C-C
Captain: Sub-Commander Thomas Post, SC
Notes: Second oldest ship in Laurettian commission and the last of the destroyer escorts built in country during the Second World War, rebuilt after the war as Medium Endurance Cutters most left service by 1977. The Tucker was further rebuilt as a training vessel in 1983.

_________________
Restraint? Why are you so concerned with saving their lives? The whole idea is to kill the bastards. At the end of the war if there are two Americans and one Russian left alive, we win!
-General Thomas S. Power, USAF, Commander SAC 1957-1964

Welcome Aboard

At a very cursory glance what stikes me is that you wouldn't be able to land a Seaking on the stern of the Richman: what with the missile launcher in the same spot; but otherwise interesting.

The triple 12in Torpedo tubes on the forside under the bridge are the old ones. Better take the newer ones, even they were already one, before you edite them though (destroyer Ellen)

And recolor the goalkeepers on the missilecruiser.

otherwise I've been on one line with Bill.

Welcome

Welcome aboard.
I cann't add any new remarks to the above.

_________________
Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

Thanks for the welcome!

Yeah, that was my fault. Accidentally left the Sea King on there instead of the HH-52 Sea Guardian I was recoloring for it. Though landing any helicopter on a CLG looks difficult/impossible with the missile's loaded.

EDIT: Did some looking, and was greatly surprised. Guess you just have to think... laterally.


Though it does look like that even with just the Seasprite aboard they couldn't have missiles on the rails.


Empty pad

I'm not entirely sure what you mean; a more modern launcher or an improved drawing?

Done and done, thanks for pointing that out.

Thanks Novice; I'm a big fan of your Canadians

_________________
Restraint? Why are you so concerned with saving their lives? The whole idea is to kill the bastards. At the end of the war if there are two Americans and one Russian left alive, we win!
-General Thomas S. Power, USAF, Commander SAC 1957-1964

The launcher is outdated, there is a new one. see Colosseum's drawings

Okay, gotcha, I'll have that replaced here soon.

Now, things are going to get crazy/stupid/downright absurd. These ships were actually the original project: What can I do with an Oliver Hazard Perry Class hull to make it entirely, impossibly, silly looking by throwing in World War II era gun mounts and maybe some VLS tubes. So yeah, there are going to be a whole lot of problems, guaranteed that even magic alternate universe C&C systems can't explain away. All I can hope for is that at least some of them are salvageable with the help of the forum.

So until a couple of weeks ago these sat unfinished, minus directors/radars, until I got around to finishing them yesterday.


Name: HMS Duchess Janette WHRC-01
Namesake: Her Grace Janette Warren, 20th Duchess Warren
Class: Commissioner Class High-Endurance Cutter
Hull Classification: WHRC
Radio Call Letters: D-W-C
Captain: Commander Lord Sir John Higgins, VM, SC, KOL, 1st Baron of Port Lodge
Armament Modifications: One 5"/38 Mk. 12 twin turret, One 5"/38 Mk. 12 single turret, ASROC launcher, Goalkeeper CIWS, two Harpoon missile launchers, Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, two .50 Browning, one 20mm Oerlikon


Name: HMS Duke Andrew WHRC-02
Namesake: His Grace Andrew Trenton, 7th Duke Trenton
Class: Commissioner Class High-Endurance Cutter
Hull Classification: WHRC
Radio Call Letters: H-V-Q
Captain: Commander Gordon Kingsley, SC
Armament Modifications: One modified 5"/38 Mark 12 twin, One 5"/38 Mark 12 single, nine(?) VLS tubes, one 5"/54 Mark 45, Goalkeeper CIWS Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, two .50 Browning, one 20mm Oerlikon


Name: HMS Commodore Aaron Young WHRC-03
Namesake: Commodore Aaron Young, 4th Commandant of the Revenue Cutter Service
Class: Commissioner Class High-Endurance Cutter
Hull Classification: WHRC
Radio Call Letters: G-D-L
Captain: Commander Lady Sir Rebbecca Sprague, VM, SC, AMA, KOL, 1st Baroness of Sprague Neck
Armament Modifications: ASROC, one 5"/38 Mark 12 single, one 5"/54 Mark 45, Goalkeeper CIWS Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, two .50 Browning, one 20mm Oerlikon


Name: HMS Isles du Villiers WHRC-04
Namesake: Isle du Villiers, Province of the Islands
Class: Commissioner Class High-Endurance Cutter
Hull Classification: WHRC
Radio Call Letters: A-M-A
Captain: Commander Lord Robert Elbridge, 8th Baron of Madison
Armament Modifications: One 5"/38 Mark 12 twin, one 5"/38 Mark 12 single, nine(?) VLS tubes, Mk. 22 GMLS Goalkeeper CIWS Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, two .50 Browning, one 20mm Oerlikon


Name: HMS Karlsburg WHRC-05
Namesake: City of Karlsburg
Class: Commissioner Class High-Endurance Cutter
Hull Classification: WHRC
Radio Call Letters: H-K-J
Captain: Commander Sir Patrick Gamble, SC
Armament Modifications: One modified 5"/38 Mark 12 twin, one modified 5"/38 Mark 12 single, nine(?) VLS tubes, Mk. 26 GMLS, Goalkeeper CIWS Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, two .50 Browning, one 20mm Oerlikon


Name: HMS Badger WHRC-06
Namesake: National Animal of Laurette, the Badger
Class: Commissioner Class High-Endurance Cutter
Hull Classification: WHRC
Radio Call Letters: I-B-J
Captain: Sub-Commander Thomas Wright
Armament Modifications: Four Harpoon launchers, one modified 5"/38 Mark 12 single, one 5"/54 Mark 45, Goalkeeper CIWS Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, two .50 Browning, one 20mm Oerlikon


Name: Various
Namesake: Springfield Island, Province of the Islands
Class: Springfield (built along old US MSC lines)
Hull Classification: WLRC

Name: Various
Namesake: Surfman Commandant Lord Sir Edward Du Page, KOL, 1st Baron Point Hoche, First Commandant of the RLLS
Class: Du Page
Service: Royal Laurettian Lifesaving Service
Hull Classification: MLB

_________________
Restraint? Why are you so concerned with saving their lives? The whole idea is to kill the bastards. At the end of the war if there are two Americans and one Russian left alive, we win!
-General Thomas S. Power, USAF, Commander SAC 1957-1964

Regarding the ex-USS Springfield, it was a TERRIER-armed version, NOT Talos. Secondly, that system would be hopelessly outdated and in need of a replacement. Also the ship's radars would need serious upgrading. The goalkeeper has a hopelessly awkward position, risking to do more damage to the ship's superstructure and masts than any enemy missile or aircraft. I would probably, if I did try to modernize such "ancient" hulls, attempt to include one PDMS-system, such as Sea Sparrow or RAM, and, preferrably in place of the forward 5" gun! And, where are the ship's boats? Not even one rubber dinghy?

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My Avatar:Петр Алексеевич Безобразов (Petr Alekseevich Bezobrazov), Вице-адмирал , царская ВМФ России(1845-1906) - I sign my drawings as Ari Saarinen

1) Yes it was. Excellent proof of why I shouldn't assemble ship histories so late/early in the morning before never re-examining them for accuracy. Since she's built off the Oklahoma City it would probably be a good idea to indicate such.

2) I also agree that it would be hopelessly outdated for a modern navy to maintain either a Terrier or Talos system. That being said, it would be worth noting that no ship in the hypothetical inventory of the RCS is armed with the a missile more modern then RIM-66 derivatives or Harpoons, with the main armament of most ship's being gun oriented. If it had any new systems, it certainly would require more modern radar.

3) I presume you mean the aft position. This was recognized going in, the limited utility in such a position, there really isn't much other choice for placing a second mount. It should be deleted. Considering how limited it's arc of fire is by deck structures, (granted I know more about how a Phalanx operates but as I understand most CIWS can have parts of there firing arc blocked out, to prevent them from blasting away into the hull, deck structures, or masts) and considering as well the Richman doesn't face much of an aerial threat one mount could probably due with a reliance upon one of the WHRC's to be around for back-up if needed it could easily be cut out.

4)Ah, herein lies the problem. This is not a modernization attempt. This is an, at best, third rate seagoing combat force (not a navy, explicitly not a navy) operating on a budget. While the Treasury may be willing to spring for some toys (A sixty some year old hulk? Sure!), I can't imagine they'd be willing to spring for 'unnecessary' improvements like a PDMS for the Richman so soon after springing for three ship's worth of (small) VLS tubes for a service dedicated to enforcing customs laws and local freedom-of-the-seas. After all, coastal air defense is why the Air Force exists and the Army has Coast Artillery isn't it? And if they need fleet (ha!) air defense surely the VLS launched Sparrows (complete with Mark 115 directors) can handle whatever air elements show up until the Air Force can scramble fighters? This isn't a force for taking on the US Navy; the Revenue Cutter Service is designed around fending off local Navies (such as they are), pirates/privateers, and making sure no one tries to make off with an island. That's why the forward dual 5 incher is far more useful then hauling it for a Sea Sparrow or RIM-116 mount.

5) No idea, I didn't remove them from the original drawing by Darth Panda & Colosseum. Perhaps a stylistic choice? As far as I know, the OKC carried six boats at the beginning of her career with four later removed leaving the two smallest. That being said you can see what I believe are the davits for the starboard launch swung out, indicated bellow. One can only presume the Captain has business in port.

_________________
Restraint? Why are you so concerned with saving their lives? The whole idea is to kill the bastards. At the end of the war if there are two Americans and one Russian left alive, we win!
-General Thomas S. Power, USAF, Commander SAC 1957-1964

Amazing photo's of choppers sitting on cramped sterns - I take back my misgivings, though I'm still not sure if its a good idea. I think one critique is the mixing of different generations of equipment: for example, different 5-in mounts, and on the same hull Goalkeeper, but that's your call.