Shipbucket

These are all amazing.

I hope I haven't done any "big" grama errors, etc.


Tanga class
Fleet Escort destroyer

Tanga class was designed early in the 50's, the requirement was to improve area defense around a fleet, specially carriers. The Navy wanted a large destroyer that had endurance and speed to follow the fleets carriers, but also the capability to defend the carrier or fleet in all battle dimension. Due to this it received a powerful but light AA armament and a strong ASW armament. These destroyers freed up resources in the Navy, ships that was used as fleet escort, could be used to there original intended task. As a ASuW ship, the armament wasn't a joke, it's three twin 138mm long barreled guns had excellent range, either in AA-role or in ASuW role, it's ability to deliver AA-shells at incredibly range and height, was almost uncanny, creating a very nice protecting ceiling around the fleet.

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When Tanga class was launched, they become flagship of the Caledonia destroyer flotilla, they was either in escort duty, or working together with two smaller dedicated destroyers, anywhere they are needed. They was build with use of both new available technology and equipment and existing equipment from other ships.

Armament as of 1958:
3 x twin 138mm DP gun Befer Mk-32
4 x twin 57mm AA/DP gun Befer Mk-20 (license-build)
5 x single 40m AA gun Befer Mk-57 (license-build)
6 x single 12.7mm machine guns
8 x rocket trowers mounted on main turret, for Type-38 AA rockets
1 x twin launcher for rocket assisted torpedo launcher, Type-214
1 x twin triple barreled ASW Mortar 14" Type 2
2 x depth chargers



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In 1968 there was an upgrade plane put down for the entire class, trying to solve some "minor problems" in the ship capability and also make the ship more relevant.

The early Mk 29!
Among it's upgrades Caledonia started to test Mk 29 launcher, although it will take 6 years before the technology have proven to work. During this time period, D786 that was the only ship in the Navy to receive Mk 29, experienced many problems, among the most serious on, was that time the entire launcher exploded and severely damaging the ship-superstructure and killing 28 crew-members, due to an combination of electric failure and ignition of the missile engine, during a realoade.

other things that was done to the class, was an upgrade to the electronics, it received new radars and targeting systems, even the old fire-control system was upgraded with better electronics, now any fire-control system could command the entire armament. For example the 57mm gun could be controlled by Mk-95 that was mounted on the forward secondary fire control system.


Armament as of 1968:
3 x twin 138mm DP gun Befer Mk-32
2 x twin 57mm AA/DP gun Befer Mk-20 (license-build)
6 x single 40m AA gun Befer Mk-68U (license-build)
6 x single 12.7mm machine guns
8 x rocket trowers mounted on main turret, for Type-38 AA rockets
2 x Mk29 Sea Sparrow launcher, with reload build in to superstructure
8 x single Ronin Mk-8 ASuW missiles
1 x twin launcher for rocket assisted torpedo launcher, Type-214
1 x twin triple barreled ASW Mortar 14" Type 2
2 x depth chargers



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In 1975 the testing of the Mk 29 was finish and rest of the class received Mk 29 launcher with several upgrades. there was also done some more to the electronics and radar, to try to solve some issues from earlier upgrades, that was discovered during a trail.

Armament as of 1975:
3 x twin 138mm DP gun Befer Mk-32
2 x twin 57mm AA/DP gun Befer Mk-20 (license-build)
4 x single 40m AA gun Befer Mk-68/U (license-build)
2 x single 12.7mm machine guns
3 x Mk29 Sea Sparrow launcher, with reload build in to superstructure
8 x single Ronin Mk-8 ASuW missiles
1 x Mk 112 "Matchbox" with ASROCK
1 x twin triple barreled ASW Mortar 14" Type 2/B
2 x depth chargers


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The 1994 MLU
The was decided to upgrade 6 of the ship in the class. They received basically a new main guns. Improved electronics and upgrade to existing radars. and almost all fire control system was replaced. There was also added a "on deck" engine rom, holding two small lightweight gas-turbine for electricity production, to compensate for the amount of power that are needed for all the new system, including the new air-condition systems. The class received also Harpoons from the stockpiles, to supplement the upgraded Ronin missiles. It's aging 40mm guns got also an upgrade, while other ships received CIWS and similar systems, the Navy upgraded the 40mm guns to a fully automatic system with it's own radar and targeting system, basically Tanga class 40mm become CIWS version 0.5.

After the upgrade, the class would only operate together with other, new ships, using their radar/surveillance package to it's advantage as an weapon platform.

Armament as of 1994:
1 x twin 138mm DP gun Befer Mk-70 water cooled with improved rate of fire
2 x twin 57mm AA/DP gun Befer Mk-20 (license-build)
4 x single 40m AA gun Befer Mk-70/B with it's own radar (license-build)
2 x single 12.7mm machine guns
2 x Mk29 Sea Sparrow launcher, with reload build in to superstructure
3 x twin Mk-48 Mod 0 Sea sparrow launcher
2 x Mk-13 GMLS (upgraded by ElbTech Heavy industries)
8 x single Ronin Mk-15 ASuW missiles
1 x Mk 112 "Matchbox" with ASROCK and harpoon
1 x twin triple barreled ASW Mortar 14" Type 2/D upgraded with individually working barrel and extended range and improved accuracy.
2 x depth chargers




Note: An oddity trough the entire class, they never received towed sonar!!

Cool, but this really needs to be in a template as it's nearly finished work

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USN components, camouflage colors, & reference links (World War II only)

An interesting design, looks pretty well equipped with a good blend of weapons and has a good functional overall look too.

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I'm pretty fond of these. I'm a little skeptical about a twin Mk 29 installation on that beam, and I'm a lot skeptical that minor gun fire control systems for 57mm-class weapons would include an optical rangefinder once radar was available.

I agree with erik_t about those Mk29. Better solution for me is to try fit a Mk48 Mod 0 "on deck" or more Mk48 Mod 3 like those you have at the back. Personally prefer first solution.

I am agreeing on that.

The Mk 29 installation:

I was also a little skeptical on them, it's a tight fit, but considering how big the ship is, I didn't see much of a problem. But I can move them, if it is a problem to have them there.

57mm-class rangefinder:

I went on upgrading the rangefinder system over replacing it, if it works... it works, but later on it would be totally replaced with other type of firecontroll system. in fact the ship woul have an major MLU, where most of it electronics and power production capability is improved.
I have have done a little rearrangement in that area, due to the year Mk48 was available, basically a compromise.



Side Note: latest upgrade consist mostly of what Caledonia Navy had in stockpiles from other ships... or leftovers!

The last drawing have been updated!! with a twist in one of the version.


odd that no one noticed the drawing error I had on the Sonar!

I think two Mk 13 on this hull is highly optimistic. The Californias carried less than this total armament on almost 11,000 tons full load displacement, and that as a purpose-designed installation (which will generally be more optimized than a refit).

I see, rear or front?