I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Ark Royale (2)

“What do you mean, Admiral Lewis?”

Admiral Edison asks with his eyes wide open.

He seemed angry and flinched for a moment, but when he looked closely, it wasn’t. It was just a face that I couldn’t understand.

“Making Inflexible into an aircraft carrier… Admiral, isn’t it good that new battleships aren’t added?”

“It would certainly be a good thing to have a powerful new ship added. But wouldn’t the hull being built now be commissioned at least after next year?”

When I said that while looking at each of the people sitting around, everyone nodded.

“Then I think it is better to invest in the future.”

“You mean to remodel the hull of a battleship to make an aircraft carrier… ?”

The 3rd Navy Police rushed in and asked. Also a traditional field commander. I am sure you are not ignorant of the examples of Lexington and Saratoga. thanks for the quick understanding

“Yes, don’t you already have experience retrofitting Courageous-class? The hull is large enough, and it will take a long time anyway. Then let’s remodel it properly as an aircraft carrier.”

“But the risk is great. First of all, we have to recreate the blueprint.”

The chief of naval construction waving his hand in disapproval. But Admiral Edison defends my opinion with folded arms.

“But if you build an aircraft carrier from a hull already under construction, there is no reason to allocate a dock for a new carrier.”

“Certainly, our Navy is currently under a tight maintenance schedule for the three Invincible-class ships. Each large dock is invaluable.”

Speaking to the 3rd Naval Police like that, Sir Arthur seemed to be taking a step back.

Hey, since the expert in the battleship squadron and the gentleman who manages all docks in the Royal Navy say this, he can’t help it either.

“But Admiral Lewis, have you thought about how you plan to do the refurbishment?”

Soon he changed the direction of the question. Sharp eyes focused on me.

“The Inflexible is a ship built strictly as a battlecruiser. It will not be easy to use it as a ship for a completely different mission.”

As he adjusted his tiny spectacles, Sir Arthur quietly tapped the blueprint on the desk.

A drawing showing the inner structure of Inflexible as it is.

It was a sharp point.

Converting the hull of a battleship into an aircraft carrier is not really recommended. Because an aircraft carrier has a hull for an aircraft carrier.

There are cases where the modification has been successful, such as the Lexington Class and Courageous, but there are also cases where something is off by one beat, such as Akagi and Kaga. Even the case of Shinano, which is a remodeled Yamato class, is famous for its extremely small payload compared to its size.

Remodeling ships for different missions is risky. If you’re big, you can do anything, but… … .

But you have to. It may not be real to them, but I am different.

He pointed to the drawing on the desk and continued his explanation.

“It’s simple. After leaving the hull as intact as possible and removing the armor and barbets… … .”

This signaled the beginning of a new Royal Navy. It has to be.

While designating the positions one by one with my hand, I quickly pulled out my pen. I looked around, drew attention, and drew a line on the drawing.

“Let’s leave the position of the engine department as it is. Move the bridge right in front of the chimney, and the center of gravity can be high, so the hangar is single-story.”

Cover the main gun, bridge, and superstructure with a box-type hangar. The design director said in a questioning voice.

“But wouldn’t the number of planes to be loaded be too small compared to its size if it were made in a single layer?”

“it’s okay. If we make the wings of carrier-based planes foldable, the number of planes on board increases.”

“It’s an aircraft that folds its wings… … .”

The construction director still tilts his head. It may still be a bit early.

However, there was another reason why I insisted on monolayer.

“According to experience, at least in the North Sea, stability is adversely affected when hangars are too high. It would be better to think a little more about seaworthiness.”

If a soybean ship with a two-story hangar comes out, in the North Sea, you will have to think about whether the ship will capsize before the aircraft sorties.

Speaking from experience, Sir Arthur finally seemed to agree.

In fact, even if it is made like this, 7 to 80 aircraft will be loaded with ease. It is fortunate that the process progress rate is not so high.

“Even if there are few aircraft on board, mooring on the deck can be considered in mild weather like the Mediterranean. Just like the US Navy.”

“Admiral Lewis, have you ever tried that policy?”

Admiral Edison asks as if prodding.

However, I answered simply.

“This is based on experience of fighting on the East Coast and operating in the Mediterranean. Thanks to this, in the case of the Furious, we were able to increase the number of aircraft to 5 to 10.”

The admirals looked at them with admiration.

They looked back at each other and nodded, leaving behind them as they continued their explanation.

“If you use Inflexible’s hull, the size of the deck will increase significantly compared to Courageous. Enough to moor an aircraft on the deck.”

Initially, the US Navy, which considered the aircraft carrier as a moving airfield, chose to put two-thirds of the aircraft on deck and one-third in the hangar.

Thanks to this, they have significantly increased the number of carrier-based aircraft that can be mounted per ship and the number of air groups that can sortie immediately.

Conversely, the Royal Navy mainly adopted hangar mooring because of the harsh North Sea climate. The number of carrier aircraft was also operated only to the extent that it could be contained in the hangar, and the hangar seemed to be sandwiched between superstructures.

This can prepare for rough storms, and it will be easy to put armor plates on the upper deck, but it will reduce the number of mounted aircraft.

“For this reason, I think it is necessary to gradually adopt open hangars and deck mooring from the next aircraft carrier. Perhaps the future of naval aviation will be mainstream.”

After the explanation, the admiral’s team, each with their own expression, were paying attention to me.

is it a surprise? Or is it the envy and jealousy of being presumptuous? Or was it pure admiration?

I can not know. But it was clear that they had new inspiration.

And that’s the biggest thing I can do.

“Interesting. But it leaves too much empty space up front.”

Sir Arthur was the first to speak.

As if having fun, he raised the corners of his mouth and pointed at the drawing with his hand, glinting at the tiny glasses.

“Admiral Lewis, do you have any ideas on how to use the part that was used as the main gun magazine?”

“I would like to see if the Director of Design makes good use of that part… … .”

A face that instantly hardens. no i can’t do it there.

He looked at me intently, then nodded his head, letting out an uncomfortable cough.

“what… I understand for now.”

Soon I look back at the other admirals.

“Does everyone want to acquire this aircraft carrier?”

“Well, I think I’ll have to report it to the First Naval Police.”

worried faces.

But at least there were no negative opinions.

“That doesn’t sound like a bad direction. Anyway, the need for a new aircraft carrier is continuing from the front. Gradually, the time has come for us to have a large aircraft carrier.”

“The maintenance of the three Invincible-class ships is, frankly, a daunting task. I’ve never operated a warship this big before.”

Apart from Admiral Edison, who is excellent in submarines, etc., even the 3rd Navy Admiral, a traditional battleship admiral, expresses an opinion in favor.

The Royal Navy is changing. He senses the importance of the new ship type in battle. Then it’s time to move on to the next step.

“great. Then may I try the rest of the design suggestions?”

“yes? Anything left?”

Admirals asked in surprise.

Between them, the head of the Naval Construction Bureau questioned, pointing to the blueprints.

“Come to think of it, what is the purpose of this sloping deck?”

Top drawing, sketched flight deck Deck projecting at an angle to the left from the aft end.

Ahh… Do people in this world not know? This is what is called an ‘inclined deck’.

“It’s an inclined deck.”

“I can tell just by looking at it. Did you build a runway just for good people?”

uh, i know No, can you see the intention just by looking at it?

Well, since he kindly drew an arrow all the way, it’s strange that he didn’t know. In the first place, since he is the first person in naval design, it is enough to notice just by looking at this.

Feeling embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head and replied.

“Yes, that’s right. This makes it easier to do both the good and the good at the same time.”

“What a great idea. Dividing a space for kindness and a space for understanding… But isn’t there a possibility of confusion in being nice?”

It was Admiral Edison’s question.

I coughed because I thought I would suddenly laugh. His question was the same as the question posed during the infancy of the inclined deck in the original history.

Can pilots land easily with that sloping deck? I can answer this very confidently.

“I’ve had a few conversations with active pilots, but for the most part I wasn’t too concerned. You can try introducing it on a trial basis, and if there are any problems, you can use it only as a mooring space.”

I am the aviation expert here. For that reason, it’s a rather absurd combination that the flagship is Repulse.

In any case, when I mentioned the experience of operating an aircraft carrier, most of them were in a convincing mood.

“If you really divide up the landing and landing space, it would be a great help for aircraft operation!”

“What a resource. As long as it is made.”

“Yes, Admiral. It would also be easier to balance the bridge on the right if there was space left to the left. It might be easier to design this.”

The head of the Construction Bureau who fits the horse.

He must be in charge of designing the gun, so I guess my opinion doesn’t sound bad.

Then he turns his head and looks at me.

“Then, let’s review the carrier retrofit plan based on this design plan.”

“wait a minute. There are still some left.”

“Do you still have anything left?”

The director of the construction bureau looks at it with his eyes wide open. The two admirals also look surprised. However, there is still a lot to be shown to be as surprised as this.

“There are quite a few.”

I picked up a pen and drew a line on the drawing again.

* * *

At the same time, Repulse’s conference room.

silence.

A heavy shadow crosses the room.

The air that passed over the three of them like a wild wind in midwinter was quite chilly, and it whimpered in their ears like a memorial song.

Facing the uncomfortable gazes in front of his eyes, the flagship’s captain, Tobay, slowly raised his head while holding a pod in both hands.

“Has everyone gathered?”

Look around.

On the left is the Captain of the Furious, Bruce Fraser.

On the right is the captain of the Independent, Tom Phillips.

And even himself, John Torvey, who sat between them. Currently, three promising young admirals of the Royal Navy are gathered in one place.

“Now let’s discuss the biggest problem with our fleet.”

That’s why everyone knew that the reason they gathered was by no means simple.

Captains looking at each other with frowning eyes.

Each swallowed a dry saliva, holding on to tension and sharpness.

Tobay, who swallowed his breath in the blade-like atmosphere, finally opened his mouth slowly.

About a serious matter that may be at stake for the future of the fleet.

“Who the hell should get thirty pounds?”

It was when the uncompromising battle began.