STAFF REQUIREMENTS
New protected aircraft carrier, 8 July 1936
GENERAL
1. The following Staff Requirements have been compiled for an aircraft carrier to meet the decision to build a fully protected carrier.
2. The carrier should be fully fitted as a Flagship.
REQUIREMENTS
3. Displacement. This must not exceed the Treaty limitation of 23,000 tons.
4. Speed. An emergency speed of 30 knots at deep load draught with an operational speed of 29 knots.
With one boiler not steaming, the figures should be:
Emergency – 29 knots
Operational – 28 knots
5. Endurance.
a. Sufficient steam 150 hours at 16 knots with steam for 30 knots; plus 80 hours at 25 knots with steam for 30 knots.
plus 8 hours at full speed.
All on the hypothesis of 6 months out of dock.
b. An addition of about 35pc (E in C being consulted in this matter) to allow for abnormal consumption due to weather, damage and oil left in tanks.
c. As much additional fuel as the tonnage and space available permit.
Note: The endurance of Ark Royal is estimated at 12,000 miles at 14 knots for six months out of dock and satisfies the above requirements. It is believed that an endurance of 11,000 miles at 14 knots would be sufficient.
6. Manoeuvrability. As high as speed of turning under rudder as is possible without causing the ship to heel unduly, is required, so as to shorten the time of turning into wind for flying operations.
7. Armament. Designs of large carriers forwarded on M.F.O. 363/36 showed an armament of 16 – 5.25 HA/LA guns in twin W.D. mountings sited in four groups of four guns each. This mounting has now been discarded as the weight and size of the 5.25 turret mounting precludes it being fitted on a ship of this displacement and protection. Armament is, therefore, proposed as follows:
15 – 4.5 inch HA/LA guns in W.D. twin mountings in four groups of four guns each; each group to be capable of separate control on either HA or LA targets. The whole broadside of 8 guns also to be capable of control from either director on that side (as for Ark Royal). It is desirable that the guns should be capable of fire across the deck at as low elevations as possible.
Supply of ammunition should be by two endless chain hoists per mounting. Owing to the impractability of siting the magazines below the guns, horizontal conveyors will be required.
Adequate ready-use stowage is required at the gun positions.
The question of blast upon aircraft ranged on deck should be considered when the positions for the mountings are chosen.
6 – 8 barrelled Mk M Pompoms. To be sited as clear of the blast of the 4.5-inch mountings as good arcs of fire will permit. At least two of these mountings should be capable of fire through as wide an arc as possible either side of the fore and aft line ahead and two similarly through the fore and aft line astern.
0.5 inch Multiple Machine Guns. A minimum of four 0.5-inch multiple machine guns to be fitted giving adequate ahead and astern fire and command over the flight deck.
80 degrees elevation.
Lewis Guns. As many Lewis Guns for which space can be found, and which can be manned, should be fitted.
They should be mounted where they can engage aircraft attacking the flight deck with the M.Gs or low bombing.
8. Protection – Above water
Flight deck. As large an area of the flight deck as possible should be of not less than 3-inch NC armour. This would give protection as follows:
Against 6-inch plunging fire (100-lb projectile) below 23,000 yards
Against bombs500lb dive bombs
500lb S.A.P. bomb from 7,000 feet
250lb S.A.P bomb from 11,500 feet
1000lb A.P. bomb 4,500 feet
(calculated only)
Side. Side belt protection to the sides and ends of the hangars and to the magazine and machinery compartments should be 4.5-inch C armour.
This protects against:
Deck. Where not protected against bombs or plunging fire by the armoured flight deck , the magazines and machinery compartments should be given a 3-inch deck.
Consideration should be given to protection of the hangar floor from splinters of shell bursting below and outside the 4.5-inch side protection.
Steering gear. The steering gear should be protected by not less than 3-inch NC armour, sides and deck.
Bridges. Bullet proof plating should be fitted to the bridge – plotting positions and observers’ offices in bridge structure.
Protection – Under water
Under water protection should be provided against 750-lb underwater charge in contact with the side.
Venting of explosions (occurring under the ship’s bottom) should be arranged where practicable.
9. Ammunition Stowage
4.5-inch. A minimum of 400 rounds per gun and as much additional as can be arranged.
Mk M Pom-Poms. A minimum of 1,800 rounds per barrel.
0.5-inch M.Gs. A minimum of 2,500 rounds per barrel.
10. Habitability. The flying complement for which accommodation is required is estimated to be 78 Officers and 347 other ranks.
The ship’s complement is estimated at 840 Offices and other ranks.
11. Number of Aircraft to be carried
36 aircraft of present T.S.R. dimensions.
12. Number and disposition of Aircraft lifts
Two lifts (45ft x 22ft) at forward and after end of hangar.
13. Bomb Stowage
The following are the number and types of bombs to be stowed. Bulk stowage should be fitted if practicable for 500-lb, 2500-lb and 100-lb bombs:
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i. The stowage of the two types should be interchangeable. Lifts should be large enough to take ‘B’ bomb, which is of greater diameter than the S.A.P.
ii. Cases only. Can be stowed anywhere convenient.
It is desirable that a proportion of all types of bombs should be stowed aft in a second bomb room.
14. Torpedo Stowage and Parking Space
Consideration should be given to the possibility of stowing a proportion of torpedoes in armoured recesses in the hangar wall. If this can be done provision of mantlests in the parking space would not be necessary and arming and re-arming would be more expeditious.
The parking space should be arranged as in Ark Royal.
Stowage is required for 45 18-inch Mk XII torpedoes.
15. Bomb Lifts
Bomb lifts should be fitted from each bombroom direct to the flight deck, with an unloading position at the hangar level.
The bomb lifts should be of sufficient size to take the ‘B’ bomb.
Each lift should be capable of supplying 72 500-lb boms in 20 minutes.
16. Arresting Gear and Crash Barrier
Six in number arresting wires should be provided.
A crash barrier is required. The position of this barrier cannot be accurately determined until the effect of the streamlined stern of the flight deck has been tested in Ark Royal, as this affects the ability of pilots to land further aft in existing carriers.
17. Accelerators
One accelerator is required.
18. Parking Space
The span of the aircraft will be 50 feet. Parking with their possible effect upon the close range weapons mounted abreast the island on the port side..
19. Cranes
Two in number are required and should be sited abaft the island one on each side.
20. Wind Breaker
A wind breaker is required at the fore end of the foremost lift.
21. Night Landing Illumination of Flight Deck
This question is under investigation especially over the area covered by the 3-inch armour on the flight deck.
22. Bridge Structure
Officers are required as in Ark Royal.
23. Petrol and Oil Stowage
a. A petrol stowage of 50,000 gallons is required
The petrol stowage should be well subdivided
b. Oil stowage is required for 2,000 gallons of oil for aero engines.
24. Communications.
As for Ark Royal, with H/F. D/F. (See S.D.029/36)
25. Homing Beacon
A homing beacon fitted on the island mast is required.
SUMMARY OF MAIN REQUIREMENTS
Type: Island Type
Displacement: Not greater than 23,000 tons
Speed: Emergency – 30 knots at deep load draught
Emergency – 29 knots with one boiler not steaming
Endurance: 11,000 miles at 14 knots, 6 months out of dock (See paragraph 5)
Armament: 16 – 4.5 inch HA/LA in twin mountings in four groups of four guns.
6 – Mk M.2 pdr. Pom-poms 80barrell
Minimum of 4 – 0.5 inch M.M.Gs
Protection:
Above Water To Flight Deck 3 inch NC
To Side4.5 inch C
To Deck 3 inch NC
To Steering Gear 3 inch NC
To Bridges Bullet proof
Under Water Against 750 lb contact charge
Accommodation – (Estimate for 1265 Officers and other ranks)
Number of aircraft to be carried 36
Arresting Wires 6
Accelerators 1
Lifts – Aircraft 2
Lifts – Bombs 3
Cranes 2
Petrol Stowage 50,000 gallons
Oil Stowage (for aero engines) 2,000 gallons
