Ian R -> Should the Tromp be a CLAA? (2/12/2020 5:32:03 AM)
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The Tromp was built with 6 x 150mm/L50 weapons disposed in 3 x twin turrets. These are properly identified in the database (speaking of Scen-1) as 15cm/50 No. 11 weapons (line 1630), but they are type 18 - naval gun - not type 17, DP gun. Janes identifies these as Bofors guns, but digging around, they were Wilton-Fijenoord manufactured weapons, under Bofors license. In the table on page 205 Janes notes them to be an AA capable mounting of the weapon. (Query devised by Bofors-Hazemeyer?) In the gunnery notes for the ship, the elevation was given as 60 degrees. Conways also confirms the Mk 11 mountings with 60 degree elevation, but does not rate the weapons as DP. The only comment I have seen on the internet is "A limited role as AA-weapon was envisioned as well, but the mounts proved to be too cumbersome in practice." No source is cited for that statement. I had always thought her sister the Jacob Van Heemskerck was completed as a CLAA at Portsmouth because the RN didn't have any other suitable weapons available than the 4" HA, and no suitable fire control systems (and they needed more AAA ships), but maybe the Tromps were always intended to have a DP main armament. Have any modders tested out a CLAA version with DP 150mm? Incidentally, Tromp should get a 3 month refit/upgrade in October 1944 which involves installation of SC-4, SG-1 and Type 282 radars replacing the earlier types.
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