WesWorld

In 1945 the fast torpedoboats of the S34 Class are due for retirement. 26 units are still in service beginning of the year. About ten years old but with some extensive service record many are worn out. A new class of modern torpedoboats of a superior design and increased capabilities will be launched as replacement.

S55-S66 laid down 1945

Displacement: 100 t light; 117 t standard
Dimensions: 34,94 m / 34,15 m x 5,10 m x 1,67 m
Armament: 1 - 57 mm gun, 2 - 20 mm gun, 2 - 533mm above surface torpedo tubes, 6 DC
Machinery: Diesel Internal combustion motors
Speed: 39,7 kn
Complement: 27

[OOC: The S45 class is based on the OTL Lürssen Boat S100 but with adapted armament.
I use this design because SS can´t deal with light fast attack crafts.]

Replacing old equipment, the RSAN already scrapped all motor launches of the 1928er series and began to scrap the 1931er units too. To level out the loss of those vessels orders were placed for 24 units of a new series.

R113-R121, laid down 1945

Displacement:
117 t light; 124 t standard; 134 t normal; 142 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
125,93 ft / 121,39 ft x 16,73 ft x 6,07 ft (normal load)
38,38 m / 37,00 m x 5,10 m x 1,85 m

Armament:
1 - 1,57" / 40,0 mm guns in single mounts, 1,95lbs / 0,88kg shells, 1940 Model
Anti-aircraft gun in deck mount
on centreline forward
2 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns (1x2 guns), 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1940 Model
Machine guns in deck mount
on centreline aft
2 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns in single mounts, 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1940 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 3 lbs / 1 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 2.000

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 0,59" / 15 mm - -
2nd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -
3rd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -

Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 2.681 shp / 2.000 Kw = 23,43 kts
Range 2.000nm at 12,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 18 tons

Complement:
19 - 25

Cost:
£0,090 million / $0,360 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 0 tons, 0,3%
Armour: 0 tons, 0,3%
- Belts: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Armament: 0 tons, 0,3%
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0,0%
Machinery: 62 tons, 46,1%
Hull, fittings & equipment: 44 tons, 32,9%
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 17 tons, 12,9%
Miscellaneous weights: 10 tons, 7,5%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
55 lbs / 25 Kg = 28,3 x 1,6 " / 40 mm shells or 0,1 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,13
Metacentric height 0,4 ft / 0,1 m
Roll period: 10,7 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,03
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 0,80

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has rise forward of midbreak
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0,380
Length to Beam Ratio: 7,25 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 13,17 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 76 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 63
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 12,47 ft / 3,80 m
- Forecastle (20%): 9,51 ft / 2,90 m
- Mid (40%): 9,51 ft / 2,90 m (7,22 ft / 2,20 m aft of break)
- Quarterdeck (15%): 7,22 ft / 2,20 m
- Stern: 7,22 ft / 2,20 m
- Average freeboard: 8,37 ft / 2,55 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 162,7%
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 102,1%
Waterplane Area: 1.285 Square feet or 119 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 90%
Structure weight / hull surface area: 16 lbs/sq ft or 76 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,50
- Longitudinal: 6,59
- Overall: 0,65
Caution: Hull subject to strain in open-sea
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
Poor seaboat, wet and uncomfortable, reduced performance in heavy weather

The design of the Lorelei class fishery patrol ship proofed a success so two more coast guard ship are laid down in 1945, the Ostara class. Habitability, seaboat qualities and endurance were primary design requirements. In a secondary role the vessels can be used as training ships or escorts.

Ostara, laid down 1945
Gefjon, laid down 1945

Displacement:
1.552 t light; 1.614 t standard; 1.926 t normal; 2.176 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
322,87 ft / 313,98 ft x 34,45 ft x 12,47 ft (normal load)
98,41 m / 95,70 m x 10,50 m x 3,80 m

Armament:
2 - 4,53" / 115 mm guns (1x2 guns), 50,71lbs / 23,00kg shells, 1945 Model
Dual purpose guns in a deck mount with hoist
on centreline forward
4 - 2,24" / 57,0 mm guns (2x2 guns), 5,65lbs / 2,56kg shells, 1942 Model
Automatic rapid fire guns in deck mounts with hoists
on centreline, all aft, all raised mounts - superfiring
8 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns (4x2 guns), 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1940 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 126 lbs / 57 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 300

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1,38" / 35 mm 0,98" / 25 mm 1,38" / 35 mm
2nd: 0,79" / 20 mm 0,59" / 15 mm 0,79" / 20 mm
3rd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 21.448 shp / 16.000 Kw = 28,46 kts
Range 8.000nm at 15,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 562 tons

Complement:
145 - 189

Cost:
£0,988 million / $3,951 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 15 tons, 0,8%
Armour: 11 tons, 0,6%
- Belts: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Armament: 11 tons, 0,6%
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0,0%
Machinery: 542 tons, 28,1%
Hull, fittings & equipment: 839 tons, 43,6%
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 374 tons, 19,4%
Miscellaneous weights: 145 tons, 7,5%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
2.578 lbs / 1.169 Kg = 55,5 x 4,5 " / 115 mm shells or 0,7 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,10
Metacentric height 1,2 ft / 0,4 m
Roll period: 13,1 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 61 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,28
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,23

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has low quarterdeck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0,500
Length to Beam Ratio: 9,11 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 20,37 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 67 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 18,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 1,64 ft / 0,50 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 22,31 ft / 6,80 m
- Forecastle (20%): 17,06 ft / 5,20 m
- Mid (50%): 17,06 ft / 5,20 m
- Quarterdeck (15%): 9,19 ft / 2,80 m (17,06 ft / 5,20 m before break)
- Stern: 9,19 ft / 2,80 m
- Average freeboard: 16,30 ft / 4,97 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 106,5%
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 168,0%
Waterplane Area: 7.494 Square feet or 696 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 142%
Structure weight / hull surface area: 55 lbs/sq ft or 269 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,85
- Longitudinal: 4,61
- Overall: 1,00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The most powerful units laid down in 1945 are two vessels of the Magnificent class. An enlarged design of the Vengeance class the new super cruisers make use of the same main guns, but twelve of them. A more powerful secondary battery and the most sophisticated radar-based fire control system will compensate thinner armor protection.

Magnificent, laid down 1945
Splendid, laid down 1945

Displacement:
18.980 t light; 20.166 t standard; 21.971 t normal; 23.415 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
706,52 ft / 692,26 ft x 78,74 ft x 28,22 ft (normal load)
215,35 m / 211,00 m x 24,00 m x 8,60 m

Armament:
12 - 9,84" / 250 mm guns (4x3 guns), 524,70lbs / 238,00kg shells, 1945 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
12 - 4,92" / 125 mm guns (6x2 guns), 63,93lbs / 29,00kg shells, 1945 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all amidships, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
24 - 2,24" / 57,0 mm guns (12x2 guns), 6,61lbs / 3,00kg shells, 1945 Model
Automatic rapid fire guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
24 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns (4x6 guns), 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1945 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
12 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns in single mounts, 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1945 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 7.231 lbs / 3.280 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 180

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 5,91" / 150 mm 452,76 ft / 138,00 m 11,48 ft / 3,50 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 101% of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead:
0,98" / 25 mm 452,76 ft / 138,00 m 28,22 ft / 8,60 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 8,66" / 220 mm 4,72" / 120 mm 7,87" / 200 mm
2nd: 1,38" / 35 mm 0,98" / 25 mm 1,38" / 35 mm
3rd: 0,98" / 25 mm 0,79" / 20 mm 1,38" / 35 mm
4th: 0,39" / 10 mm - -
5th: 0,39" / 10 mm - -

- Armour deck: 3,94" / 100 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 4 shafts, 115.281 shp / 86.000 Kw = 32,14 kts
Range 7.000nm at 18,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 3.248 tons

Complement:
902 - 1.173

Cost:
£12,199 million / $48,797 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 826 tons, 3,8%
Armour: 6.040 tons, 27,5%
- Belts: 1.291 tons, 5,9%
- Torpedo bulkhead: 465 tons, 2,1%
- Armament: 1.533 tons, 7,0%
- Armour Deck: 2.751 tons, 12,5%
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0,0%
Machinery: 2.911 tons, 13,2%
Hull, fittings & equipment: 9.003 tons, 41,0%
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2.991 tons, 13,6%
Miscellaneous weights: 200 tons, 0,9%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
31.779 lbs / 14.415 Kg = 66,7 x 9,8 " / 250 mm shells or 4,5 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,07
Metacentric height 4,0 ft / 1,2 m
Roll period: 16,5 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,80
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,10

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0,500
Length to Beam Ratio: 8,79 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 30,34 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 46
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 3,28 ft / 1,00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 30,18 ft / 9,20 m
- Forecastle (30%): 23,62 ft / 7,20 m
- Mid (50%): 21,98 ft / 6,70 m
- Quarterdeck (15%): 21,98 ft / 6,70 m
- Stern: 21,98 ft / 6,70 m
- Average freeboard: 23,43 ft / 7,14 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 100,0%
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 177,7%
Waterplane Area: 37.767 Square feet or 3.509 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118%
Structure weight / hull surface area: 154 lbs/sq ft or 754 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,95
- Longitudinal: 1,52
- Overall: 1,00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The RSAN was late to invest in amphibious. To make good other countries advantage lots of tests were run and the experience gained put into a series of new amphibious warfare vessels among which the new Mountain class dock landing ships are a first. Inspired by designs in use by the Royal Navy and others the RSAN decided to go with a medium size design. Larger ships may follow.

Mafadi, laid down 1945
Ubutsane, laid down 1945

Displacement:
9.261 t light; 9.613 t standard; 10.875 t normal; 11.884 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
473,79 ft / 465,88 ft x 72,18 ft x 15,09 ft (normal load)
144,41 m / 142,00 m x 22,00 m x 4,60 m

Armament:
4 - 4,92" / 125 mm guns (2x2 guns), 63,93lbs / 29,00kg shells, 1944 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on centreline, all forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
12 - 2,95" / 75,0 mm guns (6x2 guns), 13,23lbs / 6,00kg shells, 1942 Model
Automatic rapid fire guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all amidships
24 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns (4x6 guns), 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1940 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts
8 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns in single mounts, 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1945 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 422 lbs / 191 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 500

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1,38" / 35 mm 0,98" / 25 mm 1,38" / 35 mm
2nd: 0,98" / 25 mm 0,59" / 15 mm 1,38" / 35 mm
3rd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -
4th: 0,39" / 10 mm - -

- Conning tower: 2,17" / 55 mm

Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 18.767 shp / 14.000 Kw = 20,82 kts
Range 10.500nm at 15,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 2.270 tons

Complement:
532 - 692

Cost:
£3,011 million / $12,044 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 54 tons, 0,5%
Armour: 57 tons, 0,5%
- Belts: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Armament: 34 tons, 0,3%
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Conning Tower: 23 tons, 0,2%
Machinery: 474 tons, 4,4%
Hull, fittings & equipment: 3.276 tons, 30,1%
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1.614 tons, 14,8%
Miscellaneous weights: 5.400 tons, 49,7%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
20.329 lbs / 9.221 Kg = 341,1 x 4,9 " / 125 mm shells or 2,6 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,18
Metacentric height 4,2 ft / 1,3 m
Roll period: 14,8 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,06
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,61

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has rise forward of midbreak
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0,750
Length to Beam Ratio: 6,45 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 24,90 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 32
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 29,53 ft / 9,00 m
- Forecastle (20%): 22,97 ft / 7,00 m
- Mid (60%): 22,97 ft / 7,00 m (15,09 ft / 4,60 m aft of break)
- Quarterdeck (15%): 15,09 ft / 4,60 m
- Stern: 15,09 ft / 4,60 m
- Average freeboard: 20,34 ft / 6,20 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 73,6%
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 210,1%
Waterplane Area: 29.436 Square feet or 2.735 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 159%
Structure weight / hull surface area: 86 lbs/sq ft or 419 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,95
- Longitudinal: 1,47
- Overall: 1,00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

In 1938 a small series of small tank landing ships was build. Capable to carry four to eight tanks or other vehicles of various size the vessels were extensively used in many exercises and proofed a useful design. Consequently the RSAN decided to lay down another series when decision was taken to build up a landing force in ernest.

LST45-5, laid down 1945
LST45-6, laid down 1945
LST45-7, laid down 1945
LST45-8, laid down 1945

Displacement:
196 t light; 203 t standard; 220 t normal; 232 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
133,08 ft / 131,23 ft x 26,25 ft x 2,79 ft (normal load)
40,56 m / 40,00 m x 8,00 m x 0,85 m

Armament:
1 - 2,24" / 57,0 mm guns in single mounts, 6,61lbs / 3,00kg shells, 1945 Model
Automatic rapid fire gun in a deck mount with hoist
on centreline amidships, 1 raised gun
4 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns (2x2 guns), 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1945 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, all aft
2 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns in single mounts, 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1940 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, all forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
Weight of broadside 8 lbs / 4 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 600

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 0,98" / 25 mm 0,79" / 20 mm 0,98" / 25 mm
2nd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -
3rd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -

- Conning tower: 0,98" / 25 mm

Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 500 shp / 373 Kw = 13,18 kts
Range 2.800nm at 10,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 29 tons

Complement:
28 - 37

Cost:
£0,066 million / $0,262 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 1 tons, 0,5%
Armour: 2 tons, 1,1%
- Belts: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Armament: 2 tons, 0,7%
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Conning Tower: 1 tons, 0,4%
Machinery: 13 tons, 5,7%
Hull, fittings & equipment: 105 tons, 47,7%
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 24 tons, 10,8%
Miscellaneous weights: 75 tons, 34,2%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
815 lbs / 370 Kg = 144,2 x 2,2 " / 57 mm shells or 0,8 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,22
Metacentric height 1,0 ft / 0,3 m
Roll period: 11,2 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,03
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,06

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0,800
Length to Beam Ratio: 5,00 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 13,45 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 10,50 ft / 3,20 m
- Forecastle (20%): 8,20 ft / 2,50 m
- Mid (50%): 7,55 ft / 2,30 m
- Quarterdeck (15%): 7,55 ft / 2,30 m
- Stern: 7,55 ft / 2,30 m
- Average freeboard: 7,96 ft / 2,43 m
Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 61,6%
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 164,9%
Waterplane Area: 3.149 Square feet or 293 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 198%
Structure weight / hull surface area: 27 lbs/sq ft or 133 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,89
- Longitudinal: 2,68
- Overall: 1,00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

For transport of small groups of soldiers in remote areas in case of secret missions or en masse in case of invasion RSAN designers came up with a small and manoverable 10ton-craft that can be easily transported by all kind of units. This small design will add a new dimension to the RSANs strike capabilities.

LCP1-18, laid down 1945

Displacement: 10 ts standard
Dimensions: 11,45 m / 11,10 m x 3,50 m x 1,05 m
Armament: 2 - 7,62 mm gun
Machinery: Diesel Internal combustion motors, 280hp
Speed: 10 kn
Range: 150 nm
Complement: 4
Load weight: 4 ts or 36 troops


[The LCP Series 45 actually is a variant of OTL American LCVP crafts (Higgins Boat) which were historically build through the 40s. I use this design because SS can´t deal with light crafts.]

To back up landing forces in shallow waters, to patrol coastal or riverine areas, to act as radar pickets and to escort coastal convoys the RSAN launches a new series of vessels in 1945. Small but build as multi-role combatants the LCFS is of complex design and expensive compared to other units its size. Nevertheless expectations are high the new ships will fill a gap in the RSAN order of battle.

LCFS1, laid down 1945
LCFS2, laid down 1945
LCFS3, laid down 1945

Displacement:
250 t light; 264 t standard; 308 t normal; 343 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
162,42 ft / 158,46 ft x 23,29 ft x 5,84 ft (normal load)
49,51 m / 48,30 m x 7,10 m x 1,78 m

Armament:
1 - 2,95" / 75,0 mm guns in single mounts, 13,23lbs / 6,00kg shells, 1942 Model
Dual purpose gun in deck mount
on centreline forward
4 - 1,57" / 40,0 mm guns (2x2 guns), 1,95lbs / 0,88kg shells, 1942 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
4 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns in single mounts, 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1940 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 22 lbs / 10 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 500

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1,38" / 35 mm 0,98" / 25 mm -
2nd: 0,59" / 15 mm - -
3rd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -

- Armour deck: 0,59" / 15 mm, Conning tower: 1,18" / 30 mm

Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 1.200 shp / 896 Kw = 17,14 kts
Range 5.500nm at 12,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 80 tons

Complement:
36 - 47

Cost:
£0,105 million / $0,422 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 3 tons, 0,9%
Armour: 32 tons, 10,5%
- Belts: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Armament: 3 tons, 1,0%
- Armour Deck: 28 tons, 9,1%
- Conning Tower: 1 tons, 0,4%
Machinery: 30 tons, 9,8%
Hull, fittings & equipment: 129 tons, 42,0%
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 58 tons, 18,9%
Miscellaneous weights: 55 tons, 17,9%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
854 lbs / 387 Kg = 66,3 x 3,0 " / 75 mm shells or 0,8 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,12
Metacentric height 0,7 ft / 0,2 m
Roll period: 11,8 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,09
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,56

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0,500
Length to Beam Ratio: 6,80 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 14,85 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 45
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 14,76 ft / 4,50 m
- Forecastle (20%): 9,84 ft / 3,00 m
- Mid (50%): 9,19 ft / 2,80 m
- Quarterdeck (15%): 9,19 ft / 2,80 m
- Stern: 9,19 ft / 2,80 m
- Average freeboard: 9,81 ft / 2,99 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 61,2%
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 126,4%
Waterplane Area: 2.558 Square feet or 238 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 182%
Structure weight / hull surface area: 29 lbs/sq ft or 143 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,86
- Longitudinal: 4,72
- Overall: 1,02
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

[Copy of OTL USN LCSL type landing craft]

RSAN Sloth is the first unit out of six purposely build as fast transports. Quite heavily armed the ships can act as blockade runners, combat transports or provide means in case special goods need to be brought from A to B.

Sloth, laid down 1945

Displacement:
1.580 t light; 1.639 t standard; 1.849 t normal; 2.017 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
305,30 ft / 300,20 ft x 37,73 ft x 12,70 ft (normal load)
93,06 m / 91,50 m x 11,50 m x 3,87 m

Armament:
1 - 4,92" / 125 mm guns in single mounts, 63,93lbs / 29,00kg shells, 1942 Model
Dual purpose gun in a deck mount with hoist
on centreline forward
4 - 2,24" / 57,0 mm guns (2x2 guns), 6,61lbs / 3,00kg shells, 1944 Model
Automatic rapid fire guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all amidships
4 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm guns in single mounts, 0,24lbs / 0,11kg shells, 1940 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 91 lbs / 41 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 380

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1,18" / 30 mm 0,79" / 20 mm 1,38" / 35 mm
2nd: 0,98" / 25 mm 0,79" / 20 mm 1,18" / 30 mm
3rd: 0,39" / 10 mm - -

- Armour deck: 0,39" / 10 mm, Conning tower: 1,18" / 30 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 10.725 shp / 8.000 Kw = 23,16 kts
Range 5.000nm at 15,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 379 tons

Complement:
140 - 183

Cost:
£0,708 million / $2,830 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 11 tons, 0,6%
Armour: 65 tons, 3,5%
- Belts: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0%
- Armament: 9 tons, 0,5%
- Armour Deck: 53 tons, 2,8%
- Conning Tower: 4 tons, 0,2%
Machinery: 271 tons, 14,6%
Hull, fittings & equipment: 633 tons, 34,2%
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 269 tons, 14,6%
Miscellaneous weights: 600 tons, 32,5%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
2.477 lbs / 1.124 Kg = 41,6 x 4,9 " / 125 mm shells or 0,9 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,03
Metacentric height 1,2 ft / 0,4 m
Roll period: 14,4 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,10
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,17

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
Block coefficient: 0,450
Length to Beam Ratio: 7,96 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 17,33 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 42
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 19,06 ft / 5,81 m
- Forecastle (20%): 12,14 ft / 3,70 m
- Mid (50%): 12,14 ft / 3,70 m
- Quarterdeck (15%): 12,14 ft / 3,70 m
- Stern: 12,14 ft / 3,70 m
- Average freeboard: 12,69 ft / 3,87 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88,7%
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 119,3%
Waterplane Area: 7.225 Square feet or 671 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 143%
Structure weight / hull surface area: 54 lbs/sq ft or 261 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,92
- Longitudinal: 2,06
- Overall: 1,00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

I really like Magnificent, big and a brute. However, was the non-inclusion of Conning Tower armor a deliberate design choice?

A fast transport named Sloth? Nice.

Out of curiosity, what are the dimensions of the docking well on the Mafadi vessels?

A nice collection of designs and its good to see the RSAN building new ships again.

Magnificent certainly lives up to its name with that main battery. I'm not so sure the costs are worth it though given the relatively weak armour, but no doubt it would be a hard ship for lesser ships and aircraft to get to.

I liked the Sloth joke too!

Thank you for your feedback.

@eltf177: Glad you like Magnificent. She is quite a big nasty cruiser but still only a stop-gap until development of the autoloading 25cm guns currently in development in cooperation with the Indians provides reliable results. The lack of CT armor... Well, some splinter protection would be welcome but won't make a big difference. Some long time ago, many real life years actually, we had a discussion here to calculate what minimum CT armor would be required to provide reliable protection against shells up to 6" calibre. Result: 80mm. But for Magnificent that would have been too heavy, so I skipped it.

@Rocky/Hood: Sloth got your attention, eh? ;o)

@Bruce: As I have little information about dock landing ships in my books and wiki is not a perfect source either so I decided RSAN designers would spy on the British Glen class instead. As a result the ships are pretty similar in dimensions, though block coefficient of the British ship is higher. As a result it is save to expect the Mafadi to have a similar sized well deck (about 48m x 15m).

@Hood: Why did you think the RSAN would not build new ships anymore? Although, there really were less new ships in 1944. However, my fleet is aging - rapidly. Especially so when it comes to small vessels. Many need to be replaced of ther course of the next years. In addition to the new ships posted here there are also some rebuilds, but nothing spectacular, except for the transformation of liner SS Suid Afrika into troop transport RSAN Glorieus. A ship like that is required to provide easy-to-access transportation of military people within the Empire and to India, Nordmark or the Netherlands.

Me wonders what foreign nations in the SAE neighborhood think of the RSAN build-up of amphibious forces? For example, fast transports carrying several LCP with commando troops adds a new element to consider, while the LCFS class may be used to concentrate firepower quickly in coastal waters or on the rivers... On the other hand, the RSAN is late in adopting the concept of purpose-build amphibious forces of various designs.

Also, do you think my OOB-rebuild is in line with the requirements I once identified when providing an analysis five years after the ABS war?

I realise the RSAN has been steadily building over the years, but its nice sim-wise to see a whole package of new stuff to look at.

I agree small vessels always need replacing and I try and renew MTBs and landing craft and small wooden vessels every 5 years if I can.

With my British hat on, I think the amphibious capability makes perfect sense for Africa. Better to attack on the fringes than try and slog through the interior.

Argentina has more reason to be worried.
The S55 Class MTBs are not especially fast nor particularly well-armed with torpedoes but they have a heavy gun armament that outclasses any MTBs in my fleet. Perhaps MGBs might be a better counter for me, or aircraft.
R113 class and Ostara Class are nice updates and new replacements.
Magnificent and Splendid could easily ruin the day of my commerce-raiding forces and pose a danger to any unescorted or weakly escorted carrier. Saying that, Patagonia has 12in guns, but it would be an even match I think.
The Mafadi Class LSD is a new step forwards and gives the RSAN the ability to strike somewhere further from base support and in slightly more rougher seas. The LSTs are useful but dinky and only 4 is no major threat, the LCPs are probably welcome new vessels.
The Sloths are not that threatening, 600 tons misc weight is not much cargo and 23kts is not necessarily going to be fast enough to outwit the new Japanese-built subs that will begin building soon. So as blockade runners they might have a small part to play, as assault transports with troops they would be handy assets.
Overall I don't think Argentina's coastline lends itself to many suitable landing areas, Brazil more so. It's not a spectacular assault force, but its modern and growing in size and could give options in the future but I see it more as a feint/opportunistic force rather than one prepared to conduct any kind of mass assault.

How would you guys rate RSAN Magnificent against all the other super-cruisers/mini-BC old and young out there?

There are plenty examples floating around, although the concept never got much applause. Examples are my own small Vengeance class or old Radiance (Personally I still rate her design among the best of super-cruisers, but of course I am biased^^), USS Los Angeles, Argentine Patagonia (probably too large to compete), Canadian Serapis (best looking probably), then there are Chilean Constitucion, Japans Kongo, Hiei (by far the fastest) and Bizan classes, French Marseillaise, German Blucher and Derfflinger classes, Iberias El Jeffe, Italian Ceasar, Russian Ilya Muromets and Admiral Makarov classes, HMS Iron Duke and HMS Princess Royal, Nordmarks Falun class, Mexican Villa class and last but not least old but famous Iberian El Cid - the one that started it all.

I may have missed a design or two. If so, sorry. Now, anybody out there who dares make a ranking?

Well, currently messing around a bit with those ships. Need to work one value into it (range needs a lot of recalculating due to all the different cruise speeds). Right now it is:

1 Derfflinger
2 Bluecher
3 Princess Royal
4 Patagonia
5 Los Angeles

One thing you said is incorrect Hooman. El Cid did not start it. There is an 8 year gap between it and the next such vessel built which was the Patagonia. After Patagonia, these ships start to appear quite frequently. Therefore I would say that Patagonia started it.

PS: Should be noted that I am a real b**tard as I gave El Jefe 1 penalty point for its 1.19 seaboat rating.
PPS: Looks like I need to penalize Patagonia as well regarding seaboat rating. 1.20 and no "Good Seaboat" remark?? -2 points

1 --- Admiral Makarov (Russia) --- 161
2 --- Derfflinger (Germany) ------ 159
3 --- Princess Royal (UK) -------- 155
4 --- Bluecher (Germany) --------- 152
5 --- Constitucion (Chile) ------- 151
6 --- Los Angeles (USA) ---------- 150
6 --- Caesar (Italy) ------------- 150
8 --- Kongo (Japan) -------------- 144
9 --- Patagonia (Argentina) ------ 141
9 --- Ilya Muromets (Russia) ----- 141
11 -- Iron Duke (UK) ------------- 137
12 -- Falun (Nordmark) ----------- 135
13 -- El Cid (Iberia) ------------ 132
14 -- El Jefe (Iberia) ----------- 121
15 -- Magnificent (SAE) ---------- 120
16 -- Bizan (Japan) -------------- 111
16 -- Villa (Mexico) ------------- 111
16 -- Marseillaise (France) ------ 111
19 -- Serapis (Canada) ----------- 107
19 -- Radiance (SAE) ------------- 107
21 -- Hiei (Japan) --------------- 103
22 -- Vengeance (SAE) ------------ 100

My conclusion: Yes Hooman, you are indeed biased when it comes to the abilities of the Radiance. It's kinda rubbish according to my unbiased ranking.

Point scoring is simple. Hooman listed 22 classes so 22 points for 1st place and all the way down to 1 point for last place. In case of a tie, the ships on the same position will get the points of that position.

Points are scored based on main gun broadside weight (not the broadside given by SS), Main belt thickness, deck thickness, speed, range, shell weight survivability, torpedo survivability, stability, steadiness, seaboat rating and cost (in tons as we build them and cheaper = better).

In case of refits/rebuilds I used the latest data of the ship. Caesar is the one in the Italian encyclopedia since I am not sure if it will be changed with all the Italian cutting and what will be changes if it is.


Broadside: lightest Hiei (1440kg), heaviest Patagonia (3616kg)
Main Belt: thinnest Falun (140mm), thickest Patagonia (270mm)
Deck: thinnest El Cid (50mm), thickest Caesar and Los Angeles (102mm)
Speed: slowest Caesar (30.01 kts), fastest Hiei (36.34 kts)
Range: least Patagonia (6270@15), greatest Admiral Makarov (26420@15)
Shell weight survivability: lowest Villa (9709kg), highest Patagonia (18745kg)
Torpedo survivability: lowest Hiei (2.1 hits), highest Patagonia (5.4)
Stability: lowest Bizan, Kongo and Patagonia (1.05), highest Caesar 1.23
Steadiness: lowest Magnificent, Serapis, Villa and Caesar (50%), highest El Cid (73%)
Seaboat rating: lowest Bizan, Radiance and Vengeance (1.00), highest Princess Royal and El Cid (1.31)
Cost: cheapest Villa (13851 tons), most expensive Patagonia (24882 tons)

The Magnificent rates quite comparably to the other big cruisers out there. For myself, while they throw a larger shell than the Los Angeles/Philadelphia's I am assuming a higher rate of fire for the American ships. The South African ships outrange the Americans by 7000m, but anything hit out there will most likely be a lucky shot. Both can penetrate each other. Both have a good chance of sinking the other. To be honest, I dislike doing ranking systems as each navy has its own requirements and what will be important for the US from tactical and strategic reasons may not apply to South Africa. The US for instance sees the Los Angeles/Philadelphia class cruisers as replacing the role of the traditional big gun ship as two of these and an Essex has the same combat power as a Montana for comparable price.

Quoted

The Magnificent rates quite comparably to the other big cruisers out there.

Magnificent scores good with broadside (19 pts), deck (20 pts) and torpedo survivability (18 pts), scores average with speed (13 pts) , range (11 pts), shell survivability (13 pts) and seaboat rating (9 pts), scores poor with stability (5 pts), steadiness (4 pts) and cost (5 pts) and scores horrendous with main belt (3 pts).

... so 120 points is how I rated her. She might be comparable to others, but if she is slightly less than the others on a lot of aspects, that will show in this kind of ranking.

Quoted

For myself, while they throw a larger shell than the Los Angeles/Philadelphia's I am assuming a higher rate of fire for the American ships.

I kept things simple by sticking to the SS data. Reality might be slightly different.

Quoted

To be honest, I dislike doing ranking systems as each navy has its own requirements and what will be important for the US from tactical and strategic reasons may not apply to South Africa.

Quite true... but that has no influence on my ranking.