I remember, how, when I released my redraw of the OH Perry Class, people announced it would be kitbashed to the end of it's life before the month was over. I haven't seen much of this, which is kind of dissapointing
so, being supplied by artwork how the original (single helicopter) design of the perry looked, I decided to make my own kitbashes of some of the never build designs that were around the USN perry's.
First of all, the original contract design of around may 1971, with one LAMPS 1 helicopter, oto melara/bofors 35/90 twin mount, Mk 87 FCS and further more or less the same as the perry that was build
The second one is the same design, but as back up design equipped with TARTAR C, in case Mk 87 would prove unsuitable.
in november 1971, the design was changed again: the SQQ-23 sonar was replaced by the cheaper SQS-56, the hangar was doubled and by this, the complete above-maindeck arrangement was changed. interesting to note is that, while the ship was a lot better equipped for ASW operations now, the helicopter actually had an worse spot to take off from.
friedman notes though, that keel strength was kept for an change to the SQQ-23 or another larger sonar instead of the SQS-56, so I decided to draw an version of this too
the last november 1971 version notes the fall back option of the Oto 76mm gun in case the 35mm was unsuitable.
the last version is an modification using the keel strength build in into the perry for the larger sonar, if the need would arise to equip the SQQ-23 (or an newly developed sonar of similar size)
a few questions arose me, though:
- what would be the gun director if the TARTAR C system was chosen? Mk 87 supplied both gun and missile guidance, TARTAR C only missile. I kept the 'egg' for guidance now, but if the Mk 87 (or as equipped in the real ship, the more moddable 92) would have proven unsuitable, I suppose the egg would be one main component that would be unsuitable.
- I am not entirely certain if the sonar would be bow mounted. I thought it most likely, but feel free to prove me wrong.