Ulstien X-Box 'Phib

[meeware]

This is a fork fromviewtopic.php?f=5&t=1838 where the there was a link to a site where the Ulstien X-Bow was being explored as an OPV type vessel for open oceans.


Via that discussion it was shown that Ulstien had themselves explored, at least as far as an artist impression, their hulls being used for phib ops.


Further exploration shows several Shipbucket (plus a nation states one that's recently vanished, but I have a copy) use of the hull:



So, up shot is I'm playing with this idea, very much inspired by the 'think defence' articles, and using the very useful feedback of this group, to do reasonable SB drawing of an Ulstien X-bow based RN long endurance global patrol ship.

Ulstein_XBow_T26.PNG

I've also taken the liberty of tweaking a few elements from parts sheets that perhaps have already been updated. the Merlin has had it's colour tweaked to as close to olive RAF as I can get (assuming the Navy wil keep the colour when all the transport Merlins are transferred) and I've deployed a few GAU-17 mini guns. These are often seen on RN ships for last ditch CIWs and to deter small craft. Couldn't find one in the parts sheets, sorry.

[Blackbuck]

Technically they're not called GAU-17s in RN service. As for the air complement maybe some time in the near future the RN will switch to the scheme deployed on the AW159 for other helicopters (of which my guesstimate is that it's medium and dark sea grey).
The Merlin and Lynx models appear to be older outmoded ones too.

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/4800/merlinwip41.gif << Merlins
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/5617 ... ildcat.png << Wildcats

[swin_lad]

Something I would like to add is that it may be best to operate Lynx or Merlin not both to improve efficiency. I would recommend an all Merlin ASW fleet as they can still carry 15 fully equipped soldiers.

Nick Lewis

[acelanceloet]

is the CB-90 in use by the RN? I thought not....
and I believe you have used the dutch camo version of the LCVP, am I correct?

[meeware]

The LCVP with this camo is labeled as RN on the source sheet. Other online resources show it in RN service with the brown/black camo http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/wp-conten ... VP-Mk5.jpg. For the purposes of this design, I'm happy to stick with this pattern.

And no, the RN doesn't use the CB=90, but then they don't use the X-Bow either, nor the Bofors 57mm gun, so in exploring this idea in a personal drawing I am allowing myself a little slack.

Good point about mixed airgroups, but with the majority of the volume of the superstructure being hangar I can see a need for mixed groups from time to time. In fact containerised support kit would be very useful so workshops and spares could be available on any large enough vessel. Possibly pricey though. Reason I went for the HC variant is because I'm quite interested in it being transfered to the FAA as commando transport, though as you say, the HM2 is a pretty capable all rounder. I wonder if a mixed HM/HC Merlin group would be particularly awkward maintenance wise (perhaps the HC3/3a differences are as great or greater?).

[acelanceloet]

just checked it... you've used the dutch LCVP mk4, which is externally the same as the mk5 of the RN, except for the camo. please use the correct one, as the camo in this case is used to show the difference between the 2, so currently you have dutch LCVP's on board. you need to use these:
http://www.shipbucket.com/images.php?di ... %20mk5.png

[meeware]

oops. Right. Sorry- all these little bits of kit I must admit I have a very hard time keeping track of the latest versions. I realise I must be driving you guys up the wall- pretty much every mistake I make is a 'version control' one, but there is no date on files in ship bucket, no version numbering, and sometimes it seems that the files are in Invision and sometimes in Photobucket. I guess if you're in this community a while it must seem very clear. As a noob it's utterly bewildering!