USS Fulton (AS-11)

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 16, 2020 7:42:58 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 16, 2020 7:42:58 GMT

Working on a USN Submarine Tender. Submarine Tenders played an important role in the USN submarine effort in the Pacific, establishing mobile bases for the replenishment of submarine squadrons, establishing bases ashore for submariners to recharge after patrol, and repairing subs (and occasionally ships) in austere locations. I've been searching for a good example of the type and have settled on USS Fulton (AS-11). She was the lead ship of a big Sub Tender class, and shared a common base design with the Vulcan (repair ship) and Dixie (DD tender) classes.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Fulton_(AS-11)

She was relatively large, with a displacement over 9,000 tons, and had a respectable armament of 4x5"38 DP + 8x20mm.

Some cards likely to be relevant in the design...

Last Edit: Feb 16, 2020 8:13:54 GMT by SWO_Daddy

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

SWO_Daddy Deck E developer Posts: 6,016	USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 16, 2020 7:58:17 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 16, 2020 7:58:17 GMT I'm leaning towards the following stats: MG: 4/4/3 AA: 5 (both of the above based on USN DDs with the same 5"38DP armament Armor: 1/6/3... I'm on the fence on the vital armor. Could make a reasonable case for it being 5. Speed 1.
	I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way. - Captain John Paul Jones

oscsusnret Forumini Lieutenant Posts: 509	USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 16, 2020 16:16:42 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by oscsusnret on Feb 16, 2020 16:16:42 GMT I like the idea of a US sub tender the stats look reasonable... what SAs? same as the IJN and German...
	Their ship their coffin The cruel dark sea their grave.

brigman Forumini Admiral Posts: 13,331	USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 16, 2020 16:30:24 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by brigman on Feb 16, 2020 16:30:24 GMT By way of comparison, Jingei had a standard displacement of 5,243 tons and Bauer had a standard displacement of 5,600 tons. HMS Medway, which I'm working on, had a displacement of 14,650 tons.

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 16, 2020 17:05:30 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 16, 2020 17:05:30 GMT

Yeah, I think the SAs probably remain the same. I briefly considered the Torpedo Replenishment SA on U-459, but the range is too short to make a surface sub tender workable. I could extend the range and create a Torpedo Replenishment 4(?) SA that works at range 4, but it might be simpler to stick the SAs Brigs used on the previous cards.

One other possibility is to open the ship up to repairing ships as well as subs. US sub tenders did deliver repair work to cruisers and destroyers from time to time, so that could be rolled into a similar repair SA. That would probably push the cost of the unit up just a touch.

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 17, 2020 3:06:59 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 17, 2020 3:06:59 GMT

So, the starting point...

USS Fulton (AS-11)
1941
Auxiliary
Speed 1
MG: 4/4/3
AA: 5
Armor: 1/6/3

SAs:
Sub Tender
Repair Submarine

6 points? 5 AA is useful, but Jingei has better main gunnery, Bauer has better speed. Probably close enough to be a wash on points.

The real question: Should I change any of the SAs? There might be enough room to add a short one, but adding anything to this unit would increase the cost.

Last Edit: Feb 17, 2020 3:08:27 GMT by SWO_Daddy

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

SWO_Daddy Deck E developer Posts: 6,016	USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 17, 2020 3:38:27 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 17, 2020 3:38:27 GMT
	Last Edit: Feb 17, 2020 3:42:53 GMT by SWO_Daddy I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way. - Captain John Paul Jones

brigman Forumini Admiral Posts: 13,331	USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 17, 2020 3:42:56 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by brigman on Feb 17, 2020 3:42:56 GMT She might be 7 points with 6 VA. Her gunnery is the same as Bauer, her AA better, but she's speed-1 instead of speed-2, slow-3... Depends on what you think a point of VA is worth.

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 17, 2020 3:49:00 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 17, 2020 3:49:00 GMT

I'm on the edge on the Vital Armor piece. There are ships with similar displacement that are both 5 or 6 vital armor.

Got to admit, I keep looking at Nordmark at 5 points, with a 1/7/4, same AA, and better MG, and better speed. I know the +1 torp die is a big deal, but ... the damn set 1 German repair ship.

Last Edit: Feb 17, 2020 3:49:39 GMT by SWO_Daddy

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

brigman
Forumini Admiral

Posts: 13,331

USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 17, 2020 3:56:19 GMT

Quote

Post by brigman on Feb 17, 2020 3:56:19 GMT

Well, based on displacement, I'd go with 6 VA. I figure Medway could be 7-8 VA @ 14,500 tons or so.

The German repair ship is cool, but can't repair subs, and can't give a torpedo boost to subs. The torp boost is a big deal. Having 5 AA on her makes her less of a bomb magnet as well... at least, you'd have to dedicate "real" bombers to get her instead of 2nd rate PBs like a Betty.

brigman Forumini Admiral Posts: 13,331	USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 17, 2020 3:57:09 GMT dracos42 likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by brigman on Feb 17, 2020 3:57:09 GMT As an aside, the best use I ever found for Nordmark was to park a Graf Zep in her sector and get her repaired, while still running air operations...

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 28, 2020 14:50:59 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 28, 2020 14:50:59 GMT

There is a little bit of game mechanic "challenge" to making this 6 vital. The other two Sub Tenders, at 5 VA, can operate from an Advanced Naval Base and actually be close enough to repair a submarine. That won't be an option here at 6 Vital Armor. I'm considering an SA to let this unit deploy to an Advance Naval Base even though it has 6 Armor, which is in keeping with how the US sub tenders actually operated.

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

Pearl Harbor Pete Forumini Ensign Posts: 40	USS Fulton (AS-11) Feb 29, 2020 17:24:38 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Pearl Harbor Pete on Feb 29, 2020 17:24:38 GMT Would these same stats be relevant for the USS Pelias (AS-14) which was at Pearl when the Japanese attacked?
	ClubUSA

SWO_Daddy Deck E developer Posts: 6,016	USS Fulton (AS-11) Mar 1, 2020 0:45:42 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by SWO_Daddy on Mar 1, 2020 0:45:42 GMT Pelias was less heavily armed, so I'd expect lower gun and AA stats on AS-14.
	I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way. - Captain John Paul Jones

Gallery Title:
Image URL:
Image Title:
Comment:
Tick this box if you would like to allow other members to add images to your gallery.Add Image

Forumini

title

USS Fulton (AS-11)

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 16, 2020 7:42:58 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 16, 2020 7:58:17 GMT

Post by oscsusnret on Feb 16, 2020 16:16:42 GMT

Post by brigman on Feb 16, 2020 16:30:24 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 16, 2020 17:05:30 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 17, 2020 3:06:59 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 17, 2020 3:38:27 GMT

Post by brigman on Feb 17, 2020 3:42:56 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 17, 2020 3:49:00 GMT

Post by brigman on Feb 17, 2020 3:56:19 GMT

Post by brigman on Feb 17, 2020 3:57:09 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Feb 28, 2020 14:50:59 GMT

Post by Pearl Harbor Pete on Feb 29, 2020 17:24:38 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Mar 1, 2020 0:45:42 GMT

Quick Reply