Nelson Class 1943 July Mod A-C

Representatives of DNC, DGD and DNO assembled on the 2nd of July 1943. Of the previous proposals, DGD’s ultimate 5.25in battery had been ruled out by weight considerations. DNC Offered 8 twin 4,5" mounts, 4 per side which should solve the weight issue but it is described that RPC (Remote Power Control) was needed hence I thought the mounting would be the Mark UD Mark III as I depicted on my drawing. Deck space would 10-12 Octuple Pom-Poms and the usual 50-60 Oerlikon Barrels. The chosen High-Angle Control System is the new Mark VI which was still under development and said would seriously delay the project. AA armament layout follows of DNC's Ultimate version just and added Pom-Pom atop the 3rd or X turret. Interestingly both ships were wanted by the end of 1944 June and while Nelson could be released for a refit of 6 months, Rodney required at least a year to remedy her state. Such short refit times meant neither the belt armour nor the machinery could be replaced.

Variant B substitutes the previous proposal's 4,5" guns with 10x 4" twin ones, which is an alternative way for the weight issue, but there would still be considerable space issues between decks as in the 5.25" and 4.5" schemes.

Variant C or Temporary measure offers a limited but quick and economical AA improvement plan for the Nelsons. It was described that two twin 4" guns would be installed on the ships on both sides. In place of the aft 6" twin turret as well as the 4,7" guns, two Mark VI HACS and additional Pom-Poms (10 mounts in total) and Oerlikons would be installed as well.

The design had the following characteristics:
Dimensions: 201,2 (pp) x 214,4m (wl) x 216,4 (oa) 32.3 x 10,2 meters
Displacement: 36.000tons (standard)
Engines: 45.000shp Steam Turbines engines, 2 shafts
Speed: 43km/h (23knots)
Range: 10.200km (6.500nm)
Armour: 356mm Belt over Magazines, 330mm over Machinery inclined at 18°, 159mm Deck over Magazines, 95mm over Machinery, 108mm Slopes
Armaments (Variant A):
3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mark I Cannons,
8x2 4,5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk I Guns,
12x8 40mm/39 QF Mk VIII AA Guns
14x2,32x1 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mark II AA guns

Armaments (Variant B):
3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mark I Cannons,
10x2 4"/45 (102mm/45) QF Mk XVI Guns,
12x8 40mm/39 QF Mk VIII AA Guns
14x2,32x1 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mark II AA guns

Armaments (Variant C):
3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mark I Cannons,
4x2 4"/45 (102mm/45) QF Mk XVI Guns,
10x8 40mm/39 QF Mk VIII AA Guns
14x2,32x1 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mark II AA guns

Sensors:
1x Type 273 Surface-Search Radar
2x Type 281 Air-Search Radars
12x Type 282 Pom-Pom Director Radars
2x Type 284 Gunnery Control Radars
4x Type 285 HACS AA Gunnery Control Radars