Shipbucket

Looking good I'll have to say.

As for a differing nose for the Do31, operational aircraft might want a weather radar in the nose which means you're going to need some sort of radome there. Visibility would be desired to keep to a maximum so it would likely be somewhat blunt or 'thimbal' like. Even a nimrod-style nose could work with that glazing perhaps.

Edit: Looking at this pic below, I would think the Nimrod style might be best to keep the contours to the fuselage correct. You wouldn't need the full underbody fairing of the Nimrod most likely however.

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"The first rule is not to lose; The second rule is not to forget the first rule"

Something like this?

Yeah that works too, reminds me of the early C-130s and C-141s with a nose like that a bit.

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"The first rule is not to lose; The second rule is not to forget the first rule"

Actually the C-133A Cargomaster had a nose radar like this.

Another small vehicle sitting in my computer several months (not in that famous hard disk), the HDVS Panther: http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... 29#p135929

Nice work.

In 1968 RHN received also about 20 QH-50C DASH for use in Gearing FRAM I destroyers. Flied and maintained by experienced members of the ships' complement, RHN achieved availability of its DASH unheard even to JMSDF and continued to use it until well into the 1970's. RHN used the DASH in other missions as well with ASW, such as fire support, smoke generator, reconnaissance and EW- ironically all tested by USN in 1960's. The long service history of the DASH in RHN and the experience gained led to the SHAF HC-50, which developed to eliminate the two main drawbacks of the helicopter. First, everything was exposed, so when flying in low altitude above sea salt covered everything and therefore a very careful washing was needed when returned back to the ship. Secondly, the drag was large and the airborne time was limited. So, a specially designed aluminium/fiberglass cover was developed from SHAF and tested with great success in late 1970's, while the helicopter was fully reversed engineered from SHAF during the 1980's. Another 36 HC-50 built and the helicopter find its way to Hellenic Army, Frontier Guard and in some Security Forces, using a modified Pegasus ground Station as well. Capable of lifting 400kg, the HC-50 can also provide critical items in snow-blocked villages during winter in Northern Kingdom, when the ATV Perseus cannot reach.

In the nose the indigenous Ligeas Mk3 EO/FLIR system can be placed from 1987, meaning that its fire support missions could be expanded more, providing much better weapon targeting from the old TV-guidance/targeting system. The Ligeas together with the Polyphemus Laser Guidance Pod created a very stable UCAV platform with double duration from the original DASH, thanks to aerodynamic shape and much improved engine, each system is used with certain weapons or in reconnaissance missions.

Last HC-50 built were civilian versions, for use by the State Electric Company (Network surveillance/monitoring possible damages etc) and Ministry of Environment (measuring with various equipment, taking samples for research in Ministry laboratory etc). An unarmed Ligeas HC-50 variant is used from the Forestry Guard and Police Forces. Note that Ministry is the only HC-50 user without ground station but has only the convectional modified multi channel radio control system (which is back-up guidance in other HC-50).

Finally the HC-60 is a completely new airframe first revealed in 2008. It features a new recovering system developed with french assistance (something similar with the SADA), providing landing about 4 times more accurate than the old ACCRLS (Automatic Computer Controlled Remote Landing System) of the HC-50. This means that RHN started to phase out the venerable HC-50, process which will be completed until 2016. The HC-60 entered service in 2012 and tested also with ASM-12 missiles (HC-50 can carry only rockets), has increased load capacity due to the lighter purpose developed turboshaft engine, a much more efficient unit than the obsolete 1950's Boeing derived turboshaft of the HC-50. Speed and duration is also increased. Cyprus shown great interest from the beginning of the HC-60 program and ordered 16 units of which 6 are already in service with Navy Command. Land Command will follow in near future, while 2 of Cypriot HC-60's are in service with the Marine Police. RHN order is for 20 airframes, Army and Security Forces will also follow within the decade.



In HC-50 variants first 4 are in service with RHN and follow : Frontier Guard, Army, Forestry Guard, Gendarme, State Police and finally State Electric Company and Ministry of Enviroment.

Note that Frontier Guard has also some green HC-50 like Army version and the HC-60 timeline includes also weapons testing.

P.S The QH-50 DASH included above is an improvement of that found in old parts sheets.

Revisited my Konon Class DE/FFM, revised history in new thread.



On these ships two new weapons are introduced, the SAM-5 Thunder (Κ/Β Κεραυνός), which is quadruple Redeye (2 X 4 each ship). First appeared in 1977 on Fletcher-M (which had 4 instead of 2), the SAM-5 phased out in mid 2000's. Improved variants SAM-5B/C had new, heavier warhead and new propulsion, increasing speed to 2.5+ Mach. Targeting was provided by a director based on M44 and later from the E/O System Ligeas Mk2. Manpad variant of the Thunder is still used with IIR sight and is equivalent with Strela.
The other is the GP-8/10 3.5" rocket, named from General Purpose and its range in km. Although designed for 8km in mid 1960's, rocket exceed its theoretical performance reaching 9km. The GP-10 was an improved variant of late 1970's (with 5" diameter) and led finally to the E-165 missile (165mm diameter), which is equivalent with Hellfire. Other variants was a land based Laser Guided rocket (GP-10L), still used from Island Defense Forces and a helicopter-launched version for the HC-270A attack helicopter (ASR-8/ASR-10). Today the ASR-10L is still used from A-109H light helicopters and remaining HC-270A.

Some pages back I referred to "Project Orion" and the cancellation of the first design in 1978. The back up design, which finally built from 1980 to 1984 was based on Dutch plans with heavier armament. With dimensions 196.7m X 24.2m X 7.2m and 13000tn displacement, Orion Class are the largest ships of post-WW2 Royal Hellenic Navy (The LSD Naukratousa Class will be redesigned/rethink). Propulsion is four RR Olympus TM3B for 103.200hp total, giving top speed more than 32kn, while she can reach 24-25kn with half power. Well dock can accommodate 12 CB-90H or 4 Aerotech A-16/18/20, or 4 ACV A-22 or 2 ACV Ionis II or amphibious vehicles.Also 4 large RHIB are carried. Usually about 400 troops are carried, but for limited distances this number can be double. Armament is similar with the Lysandros Class, one Oto Melara 127/54C gun, one Mk26 mod 2 GMLS, 12 missile launchers for Adis II/SUR-18/Exocet MM40 Block III, 8 Mk32 torpedo tubes and one Mk29 Sea Sparrow with reloader for 24 missiles. Orion has 3 CIWS Aris VI-M and 4 automatic chaff launchers CM-72C with 8X120mm barrels each.

The ship has been discussed in the past, but this the time for a complete evaluation, helping me decide what to do with it.



Of course comments can refer to previous posts as well.

I have to ask, where are you fitting all those helicopters on board? Especially if half the hangar is taken up by that RHIB bay?

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That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error

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