Shipbucket

For me that Project 1182 Sarvikuono class seems very real, a direct analog of US Tarawa.

If you read Shipbucket's Discord server, ignore this message. If you don't, I am checking in to see how everyone is going. At the start of the challenge, a couple of people on Discord expressed interest in an extension. Part of the challenge coincided with a holiday period. Are you all happy with the deadline on the 22nd, or will you struggle to meet it?

Challenge Extension
Five people have expressed interest in an extension on Discord. I have, therefore, chosen to extend the challenge by one week. Submissions now close on the 29th of August, ending at 23:59 UTC-12 (International Date Line West).
An updated countdown for the deadline can be found at this link.

RS-870 Hwangtaesan



General Characteristics:
Type: Amphibious landing dock (LPD)
Length: 204.5 meters overall, 191.7 meters at waterline
Beam: 28.3 meters
Draught: 7 meters (full load)
Propulsion: CODAD, 4x Samsan S957 diesel engine, 38,000 shp total
Speed: 25 knots
Range: 10,000 nautical miles (18,500 km) at 18 knots
Complement:
- 29 officers
- 349 enlisted
Sensors and processing systems
- SMART-S air-search radar
- HR-44G short-range air and surface search radar
Electronic warfare and decoys:
- 2x JJ-9 ESM/ECM complex
- 2x JJ-8 ESM radome
- 8x JJ-7 ECM radome
- 2x Baram-2 chaff/flare launcher
- 2x Manhwagyŏng-H torpedo countermeasure launcher
Armament:
- 2x24 23cm multiple rocket launcher
- 2x GBM-23/5 Bulkkot CIWS
- 1x Y64H24 SAM launcher (24x YDG-61)
- 6x GCh-75 12.7mm HMG
Capacity:
- 800 troops
- 2,000 tons cargo
Boats, side davits:
- 4x Plan 8814 LCVP, or
- 4x RHIB, or
- 4x Plan 8835 fast boat
Boats, well deck:
- 2x Plan 8628 LCAC, or
- 4x Plan 8820 LCU, or
- 8x Plan 8814 LCVP, or
- 28 amphibious vehicles
Aircraft:
- 4x Gyundoan-Han GH-28 Ppulsoeori gunship (hangar)
- Space for 4x GH-28 Ppulsoeori in temporary parking on the flight deck

Overview:
The Hwangtaesan class is a group of landing platform docks built in Menghe during the 2010s. They are designed to supplement tank landing ships of the Plan 870 and Plan 859 classes, serving as the flagships for Marine Infantry amphibious assault units. The Hwangtaesans are the first Menghean amphibious assault ships to feature a well deck capable of accommodating air cushion landing craft, and they lack bow doors for beaching operations, though they can load and unload troops directly via a side ramp in port.

Development:
The Hwangtaesan-class amphibious transport ships were designed during the late 2000s, following a breakdown in relations between Menghe and Innominada over the Ummayan Civil War. They were designed to complement short-range landing groups in operations along the Innominadan coast, deploying Marine Infantry brigades deep behind enemy lines to secure critical port infrastructure and divert Innominadan ground units away from the front. This type of operation required greater endurance and speed, as well as the ability to land ground troops on beaches with less favorable terrain.

The Menghean Navy responded to these needs by ordering design work on a landing platform dock capable of deploying ground troops and vehicles via air cushion landing craft (LCACs) or other smaller transport vessels. Two proposals were considered: one with a 63-meter well deck for two LCACs, and one with a 140-meter well deck for four LCACs and additional light craft. Procurement staff selected the former option, as it left much more room for transportable vehicles.

Design:
Armament and countermeasures:
Defensive armament consists of two GBM-23/5 Bulkkot CIWS mounts, one forward of the superstructure and one aft of the main radar tower. These are supplemented by a YB-61/24 "Bŏdŭl" missile launcher on top of the superstructure, carrying 24 YDG-61N infrared-guided missiles.

For additional countermeasures, the ships are fitted with two Baram-2 chaff, flare, and decoy launchers to distract incoming anti-ship missiles (asymmetrically on each side of the superstructure) and two Manhwagyŏng torpedo countermeasure launchers (at the aft corners of the superstructure). Additional reloads for these systems are carried in boxes on the upper deck. These are supplemented by an active ECM suite consisting of eight JJ-7 ECM antennas and two JJ-9 combined jammer/receiver units.

In addition to these air defense systems, the Hwangtaesan-class ships carry two H23G2B18 multiple rocket launchers on the forecastle, one on each side of the pedestal for the CIWS mount. These are derived from the launchers used by the H23G1B18 Pokpo land-based multiple rocket launcher, but with an extra row of tubes and a reinforced base. The longest-range rockets in the family have a range of 80 kilometers (43 nautical miles), and a variety of warheads are available, including Chŏl-u submunitions, Buŏng-i submunitions, and guided ground-penetrating warheads. These launchers allow the Hwangtaesan-class to engage land targets on shore in support of a landing operation.

Reload rockets are stored in a magazine inside the ship and hoisted vertically to the deck; fold-down A-frames behind the CIWS mount erect vertically to serve as rocket hoists. Small cranes then assist with the process of manually loading the rockets into the launchers one by one. The process of entirely reloading a launcher takes approximately 30 minutes under ideal drill conditions.

For close-range defense, the Hwangtaesans are each fitted with six GCh-75 12.7mm heavy machine guns: one on each side of the hangar, one on each side of the bridge, and two on the forecastle. These were apparently intended to provide an added layer of protection against light boats when operating near Innominada, particularly after civil unrest in 2014 led to a rise in piracy. After the Innominadan Crisis, Hwangtaesans have frequently been seen at sea with the heavy machine gun mounts empty, though the weapons may still be stored on board.

Propulsion:
The powerplant of the Hwangtaesan-class consists of four Samsan S957 diesel engines, each producing 9,500 shaft horsepower, coupled to two propeller shafts in a CODAD arrangement. The exhaust from the forward machinery room is trunked to the port side, and the exhaust from the aft machinery room is trunked to the starboard side, resulting in an asymmetric funnel arrangement. There are also three auxiliary machinery rooms containing generators, ventilation equipment, and emergency pumps. The distribution of the main machinery rooms ensures that the ship can remain operational after one engine room is damaged.

Aviation facilities:
To support airborne delivery of infantry to beachheads, the Hwangtaesan-class features a large hangar capable of accommodating four Gyundoan-Han GH-28 Ppulsoeori helicopters. Usually, the GH-28M land assault variant is used; this has four hardpoints on extended side braces to carry rocket pods and missile launchers, and can transport one reinforced infantry squad. Because of the added hardpoints, this variant requires a wider hangar than the anti-submarine GH-28R/R1.

Aerial photos of the flight deck on Hwangtaesan-class ships shows four painted markings for GH-28 helicopter parking spaces, arranged along the port side aft of the 25-ton crane. Some analysts suggest that these could be used for wartime "overflow parking," allowing an additional four GH-28 helicopters to be carried for short durations on the flight deck itself. This would double the ship's air assault transport capacity, allowing it to deploy two infantry platoons plus supporting arms in a single wave. This assessment was initially considered speculative, but during the Innominadan Crisis the Hanmaesan was observed using extra helicopters on deck, and on exercises in 2019 the Hŭkdusan was filmed carrying four GH-28Ms on deck and four more in the hangar. Because the added helicopters are left exposed to the elements, this double-embarking approach is likely not viable for long-term patrols and peacetime operations, but it could be useful on short-range operations such as an assault on Portcullia launched from Puerto Alegre.

Boat facilities:
The well deck of the Hwangtaesan-class can carry two Plan 8828 air cushion landing craft (LCACs), four Plan 8820 mechanized landing craft, or eight Plan 8814 LCVPs. The LCAC configuration is most common, as it allows greater speed and more flexibility over the choice of landing zone.

On either side of the superstructure, the Hwangtaesan-class has two crane compartments for small boats, which can be covered by a roll-down door while at sea to reduce radar cross section and provide shelter from the elements. Each of these compartments can hold either a standard rigid inflatable boat, a Plan 8814 LCVP, or a Plan 8835 high-speed landing boat. Though unable to carry even the lighter vehicles aboard the ship, these boats can be used to deploy infantry or reconnaissance units on the shore ahead of a major assault.

Transport capacity:
Inside the hull, vehicles or other cargo are distributed across three decks: the main vehicle deck in the center, the lower vehicle deck below it, and the upper vehicle deck above it. Typically, heavy vehicles like APCs and MBTs are stored on the main vehicle deck, while the upper and lower decks are loaded with supply trucks and light 4x4 armored vehicles. All three vehicle decks are connected by 18-degree ramps, with an additional ramp linking the upper vehicle deck to the helicopter hangar.

In its typical configuration, the Hwangtaesan-class can carry most ground elements of a Mechanized Marine Battalion, with the exception of the Light Tank Company and one Mechanized Marine Company, which are carried on separate ships. For this configuration, six APCs are pre-loaded onto LCACs in the well deck. Alternatively, if the LCACs are removed and the entire well deck is used for vehicle storage, it is possible to carry an entire Mechanized Marine Battalion aboard the ship, though the non-amphibious supply trucks would have to be brought ashore by landing craft from another vessel. Elements of the brigade's Marine Infantry Battalion are distributed between landing ships, and would be embarked on the helicopters and light landing craft or carried aboard LCACs to bolster the manpower of the initial landing element.

In a "logistics landing ship" configuration, the helicopter hangar and helicopter landing area would be used for additional vehicle storage, allowing most vehicular logistics units of a Marine Infantry Brigade to be carried. The well deck can also be used for additional vehicle storage in this configuration, at the cost of requiring the ship to either call on other landing craft in the formation or dock at a captured pier. Such a configuration could be useful when reinforcing a captured beachhead with supplies, or when delivering humanitarian aid to an overseas disaster zone.

Ships in the class:
The Hwangtaesan-class amphibious transport docks are named for mountains in Menghe. Many share names with heavy cruisers that served in the Pan-Septentrion War.

• RS-870 Hwangtaesan: laid down 2009-04-13, launched 2011-06-22, commissioned 2012-11-26
• RS-871 Madaesan: laid down 2010-08-09, launched 2012-05-14, commissioned 2013-11-06
• RS-872 Hanmaesan: laid down 2011-06-25, launched 2013-02-27, commissioned 2014-08-29
• RS-873 Hŭkdusan: laid down 2012-05-19, launched 2013-12-30, commissioned 2015-05-30
• RS-874 Taegisan: laid down 2013-03-05, launched 2014-08-07, commissioned 2016-01-18
• RS-875 Obongsan: laid down 2014-01-03, launched 2015-06-13, commissioned 2016-12-02
• RS-876 Bulgapsan: laid down 2014-08-10, launched 2016-01-20, commissioned 2017-07-02
• RS-877 Duryusan: laid down 2015-06-15, launched 2016-11-14, commissioned 2018-03-30

_________________
Currently posting my latest ship art on my Menghean Navy AU thread, but most of my stuff is on iiWiki.

A bad peace is preferable to a terrible war.

Former MV Endeavor acquired by Argentine Navy in 2022 as multi role support ship to replace ARA Hercules.

Role includes light amphibious assault, counter - narcotics and disaster relief operations.

Able to support 200 Marines plus a total crew (including air crew) of 85.
Able to carry 3 x Light/Medium Helicopters in hangar on main deck.
Cargo hold converted into accommodation and vehicle deck for 34 vehicles.
Able to carry 2 x LCVPs lowered into the sea.
1 x 25 ton crane
Vehicle deck accessed via lift

Águila Class
Carries: H215M, A-1 Helicopters, two high speed LCUs
Armament: 2x R-440 Crotale missile system

Length: 190m (loa)
Draft: 6m

My very first challenge entry and also my first big ship drawing now that I think about it.
Thanks to everyone on the discord for helping me.

Westlandian infantry landing ship NS Duchess of Chippington (1943)



The Duchess Line had built a quintet of identical liners for the Pinwich-Aria-Chukyo service in 1908 and 1909. When the First Great War (1915-1920) broke out, two were stuck in enemy ports and were captured by the enemy. The other three were requisitioned as auxiliary cruisers and troop transports. Only one of these survived the war, and one of the captured ships was returned after the war. This left the Duchess Line three ships short if they wanted to continue running the Pinwich-Aria-Chukyo service every two weeks.

Named after one of the sunk ships, the second SS Duchess of Chippington entered service in 1922. She was of a similar size and speed as the older vessels in order to maintain the same schedule, but was otherwise a new and more modern design. She had two quadruple expansion steam engines, augmented with reduction-geared exhaust turbines in a 1930s refit. Designed with long journeys and hot weather in mind, the accommodation for the 1,200 passengers was relatively simple but comfortable. The route involved sailing southeast through the Neritic Sea and the eastern Pelagic Ocean, stopping in Isilanka and Helidara along the way, then through the Voliotine Canal to the Astintzen capital of Aria. From there, she would cross the Kikhiz Ocean to Chukyo, the capital of Hiwa, and then sail the same route in reverse. She was expected to complete one such round trip every ten weeks to maintain the five ship, two week service.

When the Second Great War broke out in 1940, SS Duchess of Chippington was requisitioned as an auxiliary cruiser and was commissioned as NS Duchess of Chippington. In 1943, she was refitted as an infantry landing ship in preparation for the attempted amphibious assault on the Voliotine Canal she had passed so many times before the war. The 15 cm guns she had carried as an auxiliary cruiser were removed, some lighter self-defence weaponry was substituted, and her lifeboats were replaced by sixteen landing craft. The passenger accommodation had already been removed when she became an auxiliary cruiser, and now she carried 1,800 fully equipped troops to and from the battlefield. She would usually stay five to ten nautical miles offshore while the landing craft ferried the soldiers to the coast. She was also used as a regular troopship, carrying troops into ports on the continent.

After the war ended in defeat in 1947, she was kept in service to repatriate the remaining soldiers from the continent. She would be returned to her owners in 1948, but did not return to her pre-war service. Instead, she remained in the Pelagic Ocean and alternated between trips from Pinwich to the Midsummer Isles and cruising around the latter. She would last another ten years in this service, until she was scrapped in 1959. The Duchess Line has since operated more ships named Duchess of Chippington, but these were dedicated cruise ships. As of 2021, a Duchess of Chippington once again offers cruises in the Midsummer Isles.

A few (estimated) numbers:
Length: 160 metres.
Beam: 19.5 metres.
Draught: 8.0 metres.
Tonnage: 11,500 GRT.
Top speed: 18 knots.
Propulsion: 2x quadruple expansion steam engines, 2x geared exhaust turbines.
Armament (as infantry landing ship): 2x QF 10 cm, 2x QF 8.5 cm, 4x QF 40 mm AA, 8x 20 mm AA.
Capacity (as pre-war liner): 250 first class, 250 second class, 700 third class (1,200 total).
Capacity (as infantry landing ship): 1,800 fully equipped troops, 16 landing craft.
Capacity (as post-war cruise ship): 250 cabin class, 250 tourist class (500 total).

_________________
I am colourblind, so please let me know if my colours are off.

Hi all!

LT Fuascailteoir, Thiarian Cloiteoir-Class Landing Platform Dock

In 1945, Thiaria had to scrap or cede all large amphibious platforms, them being considered prohibited offensive weapons. For many years, 1000-ton LSTs – both WWII leftovers and new construction to WWII designs – were the biggest amphibious ships in Thiaria’s inventory, and their mission was entirely defensive, ferrying troops between various islands of the Thiarian archipelago. When Thiaria gained greater political freedom of action after the Patagonian war of 1982, their old LSTs were supplemented by three chartered sea-going car ferries similar to Britain’s Sir Caradoc type, which were officially purchased in 1985, armed and fitted with helicopter decks. They had seen ten years of civilian service before they were chartered, and would be worn out by the turn of the century. Plans to replace them with full-blown LPDs were drawn up as soon as the ferries were commissioned, and three hulls were approved in 1991. With Thiaria’s budget strained by the ongoing fleet carrier programme, a LPH design was rejected as too expensive, but during the LPD’s design process, the hull grew to a size that could just as well have supported a full-length flight deck and helicopter hangar. The final design of 1992 was 213 meters long, almost 30 meters wide over all, and drew 6,60 meters light and 9 meters fully loaded. Displacement was 17.500 ts light and 26.500 ts loaded; twin-shaft diesels discharging through staggered funnels provided 30.000 bhp for a design speed of 22 knots. Heavy offensive and defensive armament was provided: Two 24-cell VLS for R7S SAMs forward, four 57mm guns with CIWS capability (2 abreast the bridge, 2 at the stern) and no less than eight octuple 270mm long-range MRLs for shore bombardment (on top of the superstructure). The original design included an S-band 3D-radar and no less than six multipurpose directors. The hangar held four of the heaviest helos available (at that time Super Frelons), and the well deck aft was large enough to accommodate two 44m LCTs (240 ts each) and three 18m LCVPs (30 ts each); alternately, nine LCVPs or 28 LVT-ish amphibious tanks could be embarked. Another four LCVPs were carried in davits. The vessel’s crew of 400 included a medical staff of 60, serving a full-blown hospital for 100 patients. In addition, accommodation for 800 Marines was provided, equalling a reinforced battalion battlegroup. The vehicle deck could be accessed in port by two pairs of side doors (one large and one narrow on each side; the large one was forward on the port side and aft on the starboard side, with the large ones being served by a 60-ton crane each) and could accommodate 18 MBTs or LVTs or any combination of soft vehicles or containers or pretty much anything fitting through the access doors; total cargo capacity was 5.000 tons including stores. One hull each was laid down in 1993 (at Riordan steel, the lead designer), 1994 (at the Abernenui Naval Yard) and 1995 (at the Nuatearman Naval Yard). The rather abrupt end of the cold war after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1995/6 resulted in budget cuts which necessitated some downgrades. The VLS were deleted, and two ZIF-122 20-round retractable twin launchers removed from old frigates and destroyers were installed instead; the number of directors was halved to three. The remaining electronics were not changed. The 57mm guns remained on board, but the MRLs were dropped entirely. Cheaper engines of 24.000 bhp were installed, and speed dropped to 20 knots. Scarce budgets resulted in prolonged gestation time; the class ship needed six years to complete, the second hull seven and the third ship nine. When they were delivered in 1999, 2001 and 2004, respectively, the new LPDs were named Cloiteoir (Conqueror), Fuascailteoir (Liberator) and Ionroir (Invader), respectively; the somewhat aggressive naming caused some domestic political anxiety at that time.


Cloiteoir was barely ready for service in the Madagaskar intervention of 2000, which saw her as part of a multi-national force including HMS Ocean, the French LPD Ouragan, a Recherchean LPH, USS Wasp and three US LPDs. This remains the sole combat deployment of any ship of her class till today; all three were however repeatedly called upon for disaster relief duties around the globe. Cloiteoir is currently undergoing a major mid-life refurbishment, including new radars, directors, ECM and ESM, removal of the R7S launchers and installation of four 16-cell lightweight VLS for VL Mica SAMs or Polyphem light SSMs; four 30mm weapons stations are also to be installed. Improved automatization will allow to cut crew requirement to 320. Their 10-knot LCTs will be replaced with EDA-R fast catamaran LCTs, which have a 200-ton cargo capacity and three times the speed; two of these short, but beamy vessels fit into the well deck in single file. The Super Frelons have already been replaced by Foiches in 2010 through 2012. All three ships are scheduled to have received this upgrade by 2026 (twelve EDA-R were ordered in 2018, and the first four have been delivered early in 2021) and remain in service for a total of at least 35 years. Ironically, the political left in the Oireachtas – particularly the Greens – has shown keen interest in replacing them with big LPHs of twice their size; such proposals however are being categorically rejected by the navy, because they are viewed – with some justification – as an attempt to get rid of the navy’s CATOBAR aircraft carrier component when the Treighdin-class becomes due for replacement.

Technical data (as of 2001):
Displacement: 17.500 ts (light), 26.500 ts (full load)
Dimensions: Length 213,20 meters, width 29,60 meters, draught 6.60 meters (light), 9,05 meters (fully loaded)
Machinery: Four Nairn D22N-5 diesels on two shafts, electric transmission, 24.000 bhp
Speed: 20 kts
Range: 10.000 nm at 15 knots
Armament: 2 20-round ZIF-122 SAM launchers with R7S-4 missiles; 4 57mm Trenhaile LC50T-2 57mm cannon; 4 13.2mm HMG
Aviation facilities: 2-spot helideck with RAST; Hangar for up to 4 Super Frelon or Foiche or up to 6 Cougar or Rooivalk helicopters (or any combination thereof).
Well deck: 70,50 x 17,50 meters; typical loadouts: 2 LCT and 3 LCVP; or 2 LCT and 8 LVT; or 9 LCVP; or 6 LCVP and 8 LVT; or 28 LVT
Vehicle deck: 75,50 x 12,50 meters; typical loadouts: 18 MBT or LVT or 24 wheeled APCs or 40 Trucks (or any combination thereof)
Boat deck: 2 service boats in davits; 4 LCVP in davits
Complement: 398 (including 60 medical staff and 40 air crew)
Troop carrying capacity: 800

Cheers GD

Flemming-class fast assault transport



The Flemmings were born of the experience of the 1343-1344 Etoko Islands campaign, which demonstrated a need for fast warships capable of carrying at least several companies worth of marines to landing zones. Originally, destroyers would carry platoon sized units each, and could provide direct fire support during a landing. As landings became more hotly contested, destroyers would not suffice, especially since they were needed for more important roles.

The Flemmings filled this gap as a conversion of the under-construction Cora class frigates. The aft superstructure and gun batteries were removed, and in its place was trooper berthing and four LCVPs for ferrying marines to shore. The ship maintained most of its ASW capabilities (save for the Hedgehog which was removed in favour of more air defense), and could also defend itself from light air attacks and surface threats. The Flemming's weaponry and speed are one of the most important factors to her design, allowing her the versatility that larger troop transports are not capable of.

Due their size and important in naval invasions, fast assault transports like the Flemmings were attacked the most out of any type of ship in the late war period.

Specifications

Displacement - 1300 tonnes standard
Speed - 25 knots
Range - 8000nm at 14 knots
Troop capacity - 200
Main battery - 2x2 127mm/45
Anti-aircraft battery - assortment of 38mm and 25mm cannons.

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Greater Russian Union, Project 544 Class Heavy Tank Landing Ship.

Originally conceived during during the late stages of Operation Barbarossa as a way of breaking past German lines the Project 544 class would only start to be built once the back of the German Army had be thoroughly broken. However they were being constructed not only to facilitate landings in the Mediterranean Theatre but for the upcoming anti-japanese campaign, built largely in yards in Russian North American especially around Yekaterina Island.

However these ships would largely be used for moving the remnents of the Imperial Japanese Army to northern third of the Japanese Home Islands, after a deal was struck between Grand Marshal Sokolov and the Leaders of the Kwantung Army and Manchukuo. In 1946 in exchange for the return of lands taken from Russian in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese war just over forty years prior the Greater Russian Union would form a new government in the north of Japan. This pragmatic solution not only did this fulfill promises that the Russian Government had made for decades but also prevented the other great powers from having control of all of Japan and the safety of the Japanese Emperor.

Powered by a locomotive engine ane Initially armed with obsolescent weaponry due newer weapons being prioritised for main combat vessels these were meant to be cheap and if needed expendible vessels, Russian pragmatism being what it is. However most of the hundrend and fifty or so ships never saw actual combat other than the odd raid or minor landings in the Mediterranean. Most of these ships would be sold off to either smaller allied navies or to the commerical sector where they would serve as ferries for many decades to come.