Danton class

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

The 6 Danton class pre-dreadnoughts were laid down after being obsolete by newer designs; your challenge is to either create a better class or say what else you would spend the money on. I would launch 4 ships, around 24,000 tons (original 18,000), 8 12-inch guns, possibly 10; original had only 4 12-inch. Although France did need new ships, another use would be more 75 mm guns, and maybe some more aircraft and trucks optimized for decent off roading and a single machine gun, plus 4 soldiers. And radios if possible, otherwise might as well make something else. Went with trucks in case radios are too bulky. These are not proto tanks, more like scout cars. Ditto with the planes. Any takers?

 

[sharlin]

Seeing as they are laid down and mostly complete you could alter the design, replace the dual 9.4s with a single 12 inch gun so you'd get a broadside of 7 x 12 inch guns.

 

[miketr]

Most Likely Ships to Face building at same time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Elena_class_battleship
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radetzky_class

There is little need to change the design of the Danton Class.

The other problem is HMS Dreadnought isn't launched till Feb 1906. Same date as MN Danton was laid down; that is when the really obvious design details would come out. You could design something better but its going to cost you a year on the lay down dates. Worse long lead items like guns and machinery are already in the pipeline. So if you want more 12" guns they have to be made first and the 240mm wing turrets are to have what done? See problems Germans had with their first dreadnoughts.

Could you get a all big gun design instead of the Danton's? Sure but only with additional costs and delays. Which delays all the follow on ships; the designed from the keel up DN's. I don't see this being a positive to be honest.

Michael