Shipbucket

A minor AU based on a short lived nation; to give me an outlet when I get frustrated with other drawings (such as trying to find decent references for the Ben-My-Chree, urrrr...). A historical curiosity, the West Indies Federation was an amalgamation of Anglo-Caribbean states. Following decolonization, they sought to form a Canadian style federal government. As seems to be the trend with anything good in Central America, it dissolved in a flurry political infighting. However, what if that was not the case? Consider the contemporary events in Cuba. What if the CIA was to back a Unionist political group, throwing money at the West Indies to provide a Caribbean bulwark against Communism? Situated between Cuba and Venezuela, the West Indies would have been a strategic godsend for American cold war politics. It would also have fit quite well with American containment policy. This AU shall follow the West Indies from 1960 to 2001. It will follow the inception of the Federation, their conflicting ties between Britain and America, their love affair with Canada, involvement in the Falklands and both Iraq wars. Flavour will be a mix of British and American, depending on the political climate when the boat was laid down or simple practical concerns. I give, without further ado, The West Indies Federation.

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Contents:
Bridgetown-class (KH)

Churchill-class (FF)












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Worklist:
FFG Halifax Redraw

Very interesting concept, although considering manpower potential (as well as economical, but this could be - for the purpose of this AU - partilly offset by US aid), this navy looks rather big to me. Particularly if You compare it with real life militaries of these countries.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to see more of that AU.

I might make the OPVs bigger and capable of subhunting in a pinch, meaning I could cancel a bunch of the ASW corvettes (politically would make sense, given that they use so much finicky and expensive brand new tech)

Edit: I've done some substantial reorganization, cut out 4 corvettes (formerly OPVs, but in a climate of fear against Soviet submarines an ASW asset makes more sense) and two frigates (formerly corvettes, but the naming makes more sense like this). Also added projected modernization programs by 1970, and tweaked the airforce.

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Worklist:
FFG Halifax Redraw

Her Majesty's Federation Ship Bridgetown, first of the "Bridgetown" or Capital Class corvettes. Armed with dual 4" guns, four 40mm Bofors in Mk V mounts and a blind-fire director system; the Bridgetowns were the first vessels built by the West Indies Federation. Equipped with the same sonar set as the earlier Daring class destroyers and carrying the Squid mortar system as well as conventional depth charges; the Bridgetown class provided ASW capabilities in the early years of the Federation navy. The placement of the CRBF director system was deemed inadequate, and moved to the bridge when the class was refit. HMFS Bridgetown and HMFS Kingston were credited with service in the blockade of Cuba, during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

• Type: Corvette
  Length: 230'
  Beam: 24'
  Draught: 9' normal
  Propulsion: 2 diesel engines producing 7,700 shp
  Speed: 24 knots
  Complement: 75

In 1964 the Bridgetown class received a major refit; making it the world's only class of guided missile helicopter corvettes. In reality, both guided missile and helicopter were exaggerations; the Capitals were refitted for DASH drones and Sea Cat missiles. The DASH hangar was fitted in place of the Limbo system and depth charges, while the front Bofors was replaced by the Sea Cat system. The CRBF director system for the Sea Cat missile was moved atop the bridge, while an SPS-4 short-range air-search radar was added atop the hangar. A Canadian SQS-503 sonar system was installed in a bow bulge position which required the design of a new dome. This work, and the required modifications to the SQS-503, were carried out with assistance from Canadian engineers. The 1964 Bridgetown upgrades saw two of the ships decommissioned rather than upgraded, due to cost considerations.

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Worklist:
FFG Halifax Redraw

Not bad at all, its a nice little corvette, but a few problems. The Limbo fitted, is not a Limbo at all but a Squid, a similar, but world war two era, anti-submarine mortar, which is a predecessor of the Limbo. Moreover I would be surprised if either could fit in the current locations, as it looks very cramped as currently shown. Limbo for a a ship this sized, built to serve in the Caribbean, might not be the most suitable choice. ASW torpedos, a Bofors ASW mortar (I am not sure about its capabilities compared to the Limbo, but it was fitted to many similar corvette ships of the era), and depth charges might be a better option, as it is more historically accurate for this kind of ship. Limbo takes up a lot more room than it looks IIRC.

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Projects:
Zealandia AU
John Company AU
References and feedback is always welcome!

I actually mixed that up in my various writings. It's supposed to be Squid, because they would be available cheaply as war surplus. The text was the issue. Whichever system it is, where would you put it that it would be less cramped? Remove the old-school depth charges and put it there on centerline?

Edit: changed locations

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Worklist:
FFG Halifax Redraw

I'd actually put it where the forward 40mm is, that seems like the best place for easy reloading and space, and I think is a logical place to upgrade with the Bofors 375mm mortar in an upgrade (if you choose that route). Or you can switch it with the aft 40mm. That is personal preference, however, and I will leave that exact centerline location to the experts for British weapons like Hood and Portsmouth Bill.
These drawings might add some ideas for this class and your corvettes. They are of a similar size, role, and origin as they are British designed.
http://www.shipbucket.com/images.php?di ... mantse.png (this one has a similar Squid location to yours)
http://www.shipbucket.com/images.php?di ... Dorina.png
http://www.shipbucket.com/images.php?di ... n%20mi.png

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Projects:
Zealandia AU
John Company AU
References and feedback is always welcome!

That would be well and good, except the upgrade path looks more like this. Putting the Bofors / Squid on the front 40mm mount would leave us without any room for AA.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/jqZ25vi.png[/deprecated]

I'm also planning for the West Indies to take a move intensive interest in the DASH than America did; it will be equipped to carry depth charges for shallow-water work. It will also, later, in the mid-70s be upgraded as the indigenous DASH II and able to fire Penguins, torpedos, depth charges and the kitchen sink.

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Worklist:
FFG Halifax Redraw

Good looking little corvettes, but some of the systems placement is less than satisfactory.
The CRBFD should be placed on top of the bridge, it will be higher, and so will have a better line of sight all around as well as extended horizon. It is especially so with SeaCat which is a line of sight type of missile, where the operator track the missile (either visually, or with the radar) to guide the missile to its target.
The ships design is somewhat lacking, as IMHO the rudder and propellers seem to be too small.

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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"

Here's a fun fact: the DASH helicopter was employed at a time when shipborne sonar often far, far outranged what the ship's weapons could actually reach, so the whole idea of DASH was to extend that weapon's reach.
This means, with that tiny Daring sonar, you're not going to have much ability to actually deploy DASH.