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Wars and ConflictsΒ  permalink

New wine in old bottles

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by VF (U5759986) on Friday, 22nd February 2008

  After reading several different sources,its apparent that the RN on several occassions tried to refit older warships with more modern weapon systems,or adapt warships for roles that they had not been initially designed.Whilst I can appreciate the thinking behind this,it seems that in practice it turned out to be far more expensive that initially estimated and the actual capability gained not as proficient as hoped.
  
  Take the "Tiger" class,an adapted design from the very outset(old design with new weapons fit),changed again towards the later part of their career to "helicopter"cruisers.It turned out to be far more expensive than estimated,and turned mediocre vessels into a hotchpotch one.
  But why do it?In 1966 HMS Centaur was laid up,was only 14 years old and in reasonable nick.She could carry far more helicopters than the 2 finished cruisers(3 projected for conversion.HMS Lion's cancelled due to cost)and would be a more flexible unit.If they wanted to "upgrade" the "Tiger"class why not keep the guns but fit them with exocets and additional "seacats"?
  
  Then you have HMS Victorious,for me one of the most beautiful RN vessels of the post war period.
  But...surely it would have been better to construct a new carrier rather than take 7 years to refit an old one (and what a "pigs ear" they made of it,from an organisational point of view)
  
  Lastly why on earth refit HMS Ark Royal,a ship which was in poor condition by the 70's when her "sister ship" HMS Eagle was in far better condition.
  
  Ive got a feeling that in all cases the decisons were political,rather than allow funds for new construction the M.o.D tried to fob off the RN with refits and conversions.In the cases of the carriers,certainly in 1966,the word carrier had become a dirty word,which is why I suspect the "Tigers" were converted to carry helicopters rather than a recommissioned "Centaur".
  
  The problem is though (for me) is that the RN could have had a more balanced fleet in the 70's and early 80's rather than a collection of of old crocks in poor material condition with mediocre capabilities.
  
  And yet I doubt if the RN was alone in this.
  
  What do the posters think?
  
  
  Vf

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