Shipbucket

Originally designed more as a general purpose escort than dedicated ASW ships, the Buckler class saw numerous tweaks and changes over the its 3 year production run. Primary difference between flights were the presence of torpedoes or ASW launchers and the placement and number of 3 inch guns. Pictured is an early build variant featuring the original 5 inch A turret, 3 inch B and Z turrets, 40mm twin Y turret and quintuple torpedo launcher as the X turret. Later variants saw the B turret replaced with a hedgehog ASW launcher. Some ships had the aft 40mm twin and torpedo tubes omitted and the aft 3 inch gun moved to their place in order to free up deck space for depth charge launchers. These modifications to the design were undertaken as the war went on and the risk of surface and air attacks on convoys were found to be less of an issue then submarine attacks.

That top view is rockin!

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In the summer of 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, by early November both Leningrad and the Kola Peninsula fell. The surviving Soviet fleet retreated to the Far East, with the majority of the vessels being in shambles. When the U.S. entered the war, Operation Saturn was devised as a lengthy naval campaign to recapture the Kola, but in order to do so, a small, heavily armed, mass-producible ship would be needed. The Project 169 “Beaver”-class guardship was born.
The first of 86 vessels were commissioned in December of 1942, the Vladivostok, named after her birth city. She incorporated a wide variety of British, American, and Soviet designs. She reached 326-feet in length and had a 32-foot beam, giving her a 12-foot draft and a displacement of ~1,100 tons. They also carried a sizeable armament of 3 x 1 B-34 3.9” guns, a dual-barrel 76mm gun, a triple torpedo tube, and a large ASW and AA armament. She also featured British and American electronics provided through the Lend-Lease program.
Despite being designed mainly as a convoy escort, they would soon find themselves taking on roles they were barely capable of doing; by helping lead the offensive into the Barents Sea. In February of 1943, a raiding group consisting of the cruiser Kirov and Molotov crossed the Northern Sea Route, escorted by 5 Beaver-class guardships. It was here that they bombarded coastal positions and interdicted German trade routes. By spring of 1944, 10 raider groups had transitted the Northern Sea Route and sank an estimated 90,000 tons of German merchant shipping. On April 28, 1944, a Soviet invasion force landed in Murmansk, and by the end of the year, Leningrad would once again be in Soviet control.

Dimensions
Length: 326-feet
Beam: 32-feet
Draft (To Keel): 12 feet
Displacement (Light): 1,350 tons
Displacement (Full): 1,420 tons

Armament
3 x 3.9” guns (B-34, 3 x 1)
2 x 76mm guns (34-K Pattern 1935, 1 x 2)
4 x 37mm AA guns (37 mm/67 (1.5") 70-K, 4 x 1)
12 x 20mm AA guns (Oerlikon 20 mm, 12 x 1)
3 x 18” Torpedo Tubes (1 x 3)
4 x K-guns
2 Depth Charge Racks
5 x .50 caliber machine guns (Browning M2, 5 x 1)

Electronics
Type 291 Radar
Type 285 Radar
SQG-1 Sonar

Machinery
1 Engine Room
1 turbine
2 shafts
1 Rudder
Top speed of 24 knots

Here it is: my first SB-scale drawing. I've always been more comfortable working with cars/aircraft and thus FB scale, so this was a real struggle at some points. I feel like I learned a ton from the experience, especially with the help of members of the discord.

For anyone interested in the process, I posted a concept progression here.



Designed as affordable and rapidly-producible convoy escort ships, the first Valera-class frigates entered service in 1941. Eighteen would be constructed through 1944. Though lightly equipped, they were found to have good endurance and seakeeping qualities, and several were refit and modified for new roles later in the war. Surviving examples enjoyed post-war careers as avisos, seaplane tenders and research ships. Four of the class were passed on to the coast guard.

MN-161-class destroyer escort



The MN-161-class was a torpedo boat/small destroyer (minonosets) class built for the Galdioslav Navy, considered as the country's first ever true destroyer escort type. Introduced in 1943, the class was a marked evolution from previous torpedo boat classes, with emphasis on operations further out to sea and fulfilling the traditional duties of the destroyer escort such as convoy protection and anti-submarine warfare. While sleek and possessing capable anti-submarine sensors and weaponry, it was noted for its rather short range and endurance and cramped interior. 18 vessels were initially ordered before production was cut to 11 units, in favor of a more capable class.

The lead ship and two others (MN-166 and -168) were among those that sided with the Communists during the Galdioslav Revolutionary War of 1947–49; the three were credited for taking out a total of 2 submarines, 7 small craft, and 12 aircraft of the Republicans over the course of the conflict; MN-161 was sunk on August 1948 by Republican dive bombers, while two loyalist vessels, MN-163 and MN-170, were sunk in action. After the war and Communist victory the surviving vessels remained in service, receiving weapons and electronics upgrades along the way, until the early 1970s, with 3 ships being transferred to the Galdioslav Sea Guard in the mid 1950s for the offshore patrol role.

Specifications (MN-161 as built)

Dimensions
• Length: 90.55 m (297.08 ft)
• Beam: 10.54 m (34.58 ft), excluding machine gun platform extensions
• Draft: 3.51 m (11.52 ft) standard
Displacement: 1,175 tons standard
Propulsion
• Configuration: 2-shaft steam
• Powerplant: 2× geared turbines, 2× oil-fired boilers; 13,500 shp (10,065 kW) total
Top speed: 25.7 kts (47.6 km/h; 29.6 mph)
Range: 5,550 nmi (10,280 km; 6,385 mi) at 12 kts
Endurance: 10 days
Complement: 116 persons
Armament
• Primary
· 3× 75 mm/50 UA-75-39B dual-purpose guns
• Secondary
· 3× 40 mm/72.5 UA-40-41-2 automatic guns
· 4×2 13.5 mm US-13,5-40 machine guns
• Torpedo
· 1×4 457 mm UT-Ch457-33 torpedo tube
• Anti-submarine
· 2× RPBL-39 anti-submarine rocket launchers
· 4× PUGB-37 depth charge projectors
· 2× DGB-37V depth charge racks
• Miscellaneous
· Provisions for up to 28 naval mines
Sensors
• Fire control
· 1× ADM-5 rangefinder for UA-75-39B and UA-40-41-2 guns
• Sonar
· SGA-2A-2 bow-mounted sonar
• Electronic warfare
· SER-1 HF-DF antenna
· 2× SEP-2 ECM sets
Boats
· 1× 5.64 m motor whaleboat
· 1× 4.1 m dinghy
cheers — wb21

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>"Emotions are prohibited." —YoRHa No. 2, Type B ("2B"), NieR: Automata
>"Wow, if I wasn't a hardened killing machine, that mightta hurt..." —SSgt. John Lugo (1st SFOD-D), Spec Ops: The Line

A small and cheap escort the Gayny Class was meant to be build en-mass be the various yards that dot the Russian River system, to the point of using the same engines as the larger river craft that criss crosssed the Volga and the other large rivers in the GRU.

While slow, rather under armed and often bobbing around like a cork they proved their worth during the Second Great War escorting the many convoys that moved to and from Arkhangelsk and many other GRU controled ports.

Großdeutschland Kriegsmarine - Minensuchboot Typ M 1944 (M44)


A slightly enlarged follow-on series to the Minensuchboot Typ 1943 (Typ M 1943), the Typ M 1944 were classified as minesweeping sub-chaser's with some upgrades from their fore-bearers. They were slightly lengthened, but had some upgrades in terms of armor, armament, machinery, and survivabililty; namely the doubling of firepower for the main armament, which was comprised of two twin 10.5cm KM44B guns, with varying amounts of 3.7cm and 2cm guns (but generally 2xI 3.7cm and 2xI, 2xII, 2xIIII 2cm guns) to deal with ever increasing amounts of Allied aircraft that plagued the skies. In addition she carried two depth charge launchers and a single 53.3cm G7e torpedo launcher per side.

Taking lessons learned from the previous Typ M35, M40, and M43 series, the M44 was designed around the simplicity of production. The design of the ship was based upon the fabrication of sections of the hull that were created in factories, then transported to shipyards where they were assembled together. This allowed for the ships to be constructed in 8-10 weeks time, and at a relatively cheap cost, which given the situation of the Second Great War, helped supplement the Kriegsmarine significantly.

A total of 38 vessels were built throughout the course of the Second Great War, and the M44 proved its worth, with the 15 survivors being upgraded and used in the post-war Großdeutschland Kriegsmarine, or as civilian trawlers and ferry ships.

Pictured is M-632 (from a class whose serial number ranged from M-601 to M-639). This particular ship served with the 12th Flotilla in the Baltic Sea, and appears as she did before being sunk on June 16th, 1945 while escorting a small convoy.

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FD Worklist
Me-262 Series
Fw-190/Ta-152 Series
Germany AU Thread
Luft '46 Thread

List of Aircraft with Acquired Data (Updated)
http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... 80#p123956

drawn by Enrr, modified by Chile1

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Gloria a Chile Vencedor
list of works: Italian Empire AU

Tsimanampetsotsa was one of eight Itasy class frigates commissioned by the Royal Merina Navy during the Second World War.

Background
The invasion of Poland was of little concern to the Kingdom of Imerina, which remained neutral after the outbreak of war. Much of the fighting was limited to eastern Europe. The Treaty of Tolagnaro, which had dragged Imerina into the First World War, was not applicable. German surface raiders were a potential threat, but the war at sea had not escalated to the point where neutrality was meaningless. On the 25th of October 1939, a Merina merchant ship was halted by the Graf Spee and subsequently released.

The situation began to deteriorate rapidly in 1940. Losses in the Atlantic Ocean increased dramatically following the fall of France. Merina ships were targeted for the first time, regardless of whether they travelled alone or in a British convoy. To make matters worse, Italy had joined the war. There were fears that German and Italian submarines would soon operate from bases in Italian East Africa, bringing the submarine war much closer to home. In response to the apparent threat, the Royal Merina Navy (RMN) requested emergency funds for an anti-submarine programme. Parliament approved the request October with little hesitance. Many members of the nobility had a vested interest in protecting exports to Britain and elsewhere.

Twelve civilian trawlers were immediately requisitioned and converted into anti-submarine vessels. This was an interim measure and the conversions were haphazard. Four gunboats of the Alaotra class were similarly converted, though they had been built with the addition of anti-submarine equipment in mind. These vessels patrolled Merina waters and escorted merchant ships along the eastern coast of Africa, allowing the Royal Navy and the South African Seaward Defence Force to concentrate their efforts elsewhere.

Imerina formally entered the Second World War occurred in May 1942 when the nation invaded and occupied Vichy-controlled French Imerina. While the threat from Italian East Africa had evaporated, long-range German and Japanese submarines were an emerging danger. A class of eight new anti-submarine warfare vessels was ordered that same month. These were to be purpose-built ships, significantly more capable than the conversions that came before. Equipment would be sourced internationally as required. Each member of the class was named after a lake, with the lead ship designated Itasy. Tsimanampetsotsa was laid down as the fourth member of the class in June 1942 after a slip in Mahajanga became available. The ship was launched six months later and entered service in November 1943.

Design
Of the anti-submarine ships commissioned by the Royal Merina Navy during the Second World War, the Itasy class were among the best armed. The main battery consisted of four 102 mm (4-inch) guns distributed between two mounts, one forward and one aft. These were true dual-purpose guns, unlike the old 120 mm (4.7-inch) weapons fitted to the Alaotra class and Merina destroyers. A director immediately behind the bridge provided centralised fire control. Illumination rockets could be launched from the forward turret during a night engagement. The secondary battery changed dramatically as the war progressed, but Tsimanampetsotsa initially carried four twin 13.2 mm (0.52-inch) Hotchkiss machine guns and a pair of 40 mm (1.6-inch) Bofors guns in a single twin mount. The Hotchkiss machine guns were obsolete, but they were manufactured under licence in Imerina and available at the time. The Bofors guns were manufactured in the United States and provided under lend-lease.

The Itasy class were the first Merina ships to carry the Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar, with a single launcher fitted just forward of the bridge. This system supplemented the depth charge racks and K guns mounted near the stern. A quadruple 533 mm (21-inch) torpedo launcher was also carried. While submarines were the principle threat, merchant raiders such as the various Italian ships named Ramb were also a concern. The torpedoes would shorten any engagement with such a large ship, and also allow the Itasy class to partially replace RMN destroyers when they were unavailable. Later Merina frigates, optimised for cost rather than capability, did not carry any torpedoes. The main battery on these later ships was also reduced.

Displacing 1400 long tons (1422 t), the Itasy class was similar in size to the Royal Navy's Loch class. Two screws driven were fitted, with a pair of three-drum boilers providing power. Tsimanampetsotsa had a design speed of 21 knots (39 km/h, 24 mph), but could slightly exceed this speed in good conditions if her engines were pushed to the limit. The crew varied over time, but normally included between 115 and 135 persons. Larger crews were required as the anti-aircraft armament increased towards the end of the war. Sensors were acquired from the United Kingdom at first and initially included an HF/DF antenna, the Type 271 surface search radar, and the Type 144 sonar array.

Service
After her commissioning in November 1943, Tsimanampetsotsa was assigned to convoys running between Imerina and India. The ship also escorted British convoys to and from Aden and the Seychelles on occasion. In March 1944 the 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine guns were removed and replaced with an identical number of 20 mm Oerlikon cannons. In September the German submarine U-861 was successfully engaged with the ship's Hedgehog mortar. This was the only confirmed submarine kill achieved by Tsimanampetsotsa during the war. By December the submarine threat had diminished and the RMN started planning for offensive operations against Japan. Two of the existing 20 mm Oerlikon mounts were relocated to the quarterdeck. In their place, two single 40 mm Bofors guns were fitted. The Type 271 surface-search radar was replaced with the new Type 277 and the main gun director was modified to include fire control radar. In January 1945 Tsimanampetsotsa and three of her sisters were deployed to the coast of Burma. There they supplemented the existing escort of the battlecruiser Radama I. Though thoroughly obsolete, the old battlecruiser had been called upon to support British landing operations in the region. Tsimanampetsotsa's role in the war had reached its end by June. Radama I was withdrawn to Ceylon for the rest of the war.

All ships of the Itasy class were to be retained after the war, though half would be converted into patrol ships. Tsimanampetsotsa was among those selected for conversion. Her torpedo tubes were removed in 1947, along with the two single Bofors gun mounts fitted during the war. In the early 1960s, the ship intercepted a number of illegal arms shipments bound of the socialist FSN, which was then in open revolt. Tsimanampetsotsa was retained after General Ratsilikaina overthrew the Merina government in 1963, though maintenance was continuously deferred from this point onward. She was deemed unfit for service in 1970 and scrapped the following year.

EK 1943 g was dedicated escort ship variant of the To 1942 g small destroyer. It lacked the torpedo tubes of the original design and had improved ASW weaponry. It was mainly tasked to escort the lend-lease shipments from United States to Far Eastern Republic during the Second World War. EK 1943 g class was fitted with 2 twin 100mm/52 guns and 4 twin 37mm AA guns. Fitted with geared steam turbine machinery in unit arragment of 2 boilers and 2 turbines. Total of 27 units were build between 1943-45.

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