Last Japanese Battleship proposal by Tzoli

Last Japanese Battleship proposal by Tzoli

Ages ago (more like a decade or more...) I've found a mention on some naval sites and forums that even after the A-150 "Super" Yamato the Japanese considered building or designing battleships surpassing even the size of the A-150 type! This design was known as the 100.000ton "Mega" Yamato. To my knowledge only two data was available about this mysterious proposal:

A Displacement of 100.000tons and an armament of 51cm cannons!

Based on this two data, knowledge on the Yamato preliminaries, the Yamatos themselves and the possible A-150 variants, this is my interpretation of this massive battleship armed with the most modern weapons and equipment of the Imperial Japanese Navy!
Like on the previous A-150 series I've put a second 15,5m range finder aft in place of Yamato's 10m secondary rangefinder and enlarged the main rangefinder atop the bridge to 17meters! I've also further enlarged the main superstructure bridge and conning tower compared to the A-150's.

Sidenote: It isn't impossible that the 100.000ton design was another A-150 variant with large size heavy armour and many guns!

With this drawing I officially done drawing all the Proto-Yamato, Pre-Yamato, Yamato Prelimianries, Yamato variants and Post-Yamato designs I've started in March!

My design the following characteristics:
Dimensions: 280 (wl) 287 (oa) x 41 x 12m
Displacement: 95.000tons (standard), 105.000tons (full load)
Armour: 250mm Deck, 460mm Belt inclined at 20 degrees
Engines: 230.000shp, 4 shafts, Steam Turbines
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 13.300km at 30km/h (7.200nm at 16knots)
Armaments:
4x3 51cm/45 Type 98 Cannons,
2x3 20m/50 Type 90 No.2 Guns,
16x2 12,7cm/50 Type 1 / Type 5 DP-AA guns,
44x2 40mm/60 Type 5 AA Guns,
12x21 12cm Type 5 AA Rockets
6x Seaplanes (Aichi E16A Paul and Mitsubishi F1M Pete planes)

Sensors:
Type 14 Air search radar (one set on top of the aft secondary rangefinder)
Type 21 Air search radars (six sets, one on each High angle range finder tower)
Type 22 Surface search radars (two sets, one on each side of the mainmast)
Type 23 Gunnery Control / air search radars (Modified sets of 20, one on each machine gun director)
Type 24 Air search / gunnery control radars (two sets, one on each arms of the main 17m rangefinder)
Type 32 Surface search radars (two sets, one on each side of the bridge superstructure in place of the 13mm AA MGs on the Yamatos)
Type 42 Searchlight control / gun laying radars (four sets, one on each side and above the 2nd and 6th pair of 12,7cm heavy AA gun turrets)

More info on the used radars can be found here:
www.combinedfleet.com/radar.ht…
pwencycl.kgbudge.com/R/a/Radar…
home.e01.itscom.net/ikasas/ind…
home.e01.itscom.net/ikasas/cat…
www.yokohamaradiomuseum.com/ra…
www17.big.or.jp/~father/aab/ki…

And some info on the weapons used:
navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_20-…
navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_8-5…
navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_5-5…
navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_4cm-…
navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_12c…

Arhiman666 Featured By Owner Sep 17, 2018

Such an amazing work, reminds me a little to the CanisD Muteki Nippon.

I have 2 little doubts here that i hope you can iluminate with:

1st: There's a reason to mount the DP guns in a non-symetrical layout? I mean, with the same distance between them and at the same height? With yamato superstructure being smaller than here i could understand that yamato space was more limited, but i don't know if here there's the same problem.
2nd: I've tried to seach information about the DP Type 1/Type 5 guns, but i don't found so much information, being just prototypes, i should assume that they're an improved version of the type 89 DP/AA guns?

Tnx for that incredible work with the yamato variants and i'm waiting with expectation your new proyects.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Sep 17, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Here is the data on the 12,7cm Type 1 / Type 5 guns:
navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_5-5…
But there are links in the description presenting the radars and guns.

There are many elements inside the hull which requires space but mostly the ventillator intakes to bring fresh air for the engines and for the crew as well.
Second, different height allows some of the guns to superfire at lower elevations over other turrets.
Not to mention it looks more organic blends more into the hull

heavenly777protector Featured By Owner Sep 10, 2018

MWAHAHAHAHAH! UNLIMITED FIREPOWER!!!

BlueBolt1999 Featured By Owner Aug 29, 2018

Wow, now that is cool, very cool indeed. Do you think you could do a custom version of this. I'll provide details.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 29, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

I draw too many Yamato variants since March so I'm currently fulfilled my Japanese ships quota at the moment.

heavenly777protector Featured By Owner Sep 10, 2018

maybe do some russian designs? they got the coolest experimentals..

Tzoli Featured By Owner Sep 11, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Maybe

heavenly777protector Featured By Owner Sep 17, 2018

Or maybe diversify into afvs?

Tzoli Featured By Owner Sep 17, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

You mean Tanks, Armoured Cars, Tank Destroyers and Self Propelled Artillery?

heavenly777protector Featured By Owner Sep 18, 2018

Yes😎

Tzoli Featured By Owner Sep 18, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Nope, warships are my area of expertise.

(1 Reply)

BlueBolt1999 Featured By Owner Sep 7, 2018

Well could you at lest add the underside of the hull, it would look a Lote better.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Sep 7, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

No. This is my style, I only draw above the waterline.

BlueBolt1999 Featured By Owner Aug 29, 2018

Oh, dam, alright.👿

Wiedzemin Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018

Many thanks for extremely accurate, long and beautiful Yamato's design drawings! Dont need to say that this arts are great leap comparing to the previous Yamato's drawing. We are here, waiting for more new portions of naval designs! Warmly thanks from Russia.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Thank you!
And to my knowledge this is the first time anybody draw all the known Yamato preliminary variants!

Wiedzemin Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018

Probably it is. I have not seen such list altogether before.
As far as I see you started new drawings of a modern warships?

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Yes, something different

Siveir Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018

Well it really is impresive, no argument here - both the ship and your work. But I have to wonder, what would a decent hit amidship do to all those light weapons concentrated there? That is a lot of ammo and other ignition sources concentrated here, in relatively limited area. Also, firing this many guns simultaneously would produce a lot of smoke, even with "smokeless" powder, so it can easily obscure their crew view on targets. Wouldn't it be better to distribute them somewhat more around the hull? If thats possible of corse, given the massive main guns with no doubt masive blast when firing, but I bet in time you need use AA guns, you're not using main guns.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 18, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

First they are concentrated to protect the guns and their crew from the massive blast effects of the 51cm cannons, second, the small calibre guns produce almost no smoke, and the 40mm none at all, third concentrating the guns this way while makes them vulnerable to bomb hit they are also easier to direct their gunfire against an enemy target improving their hit percentage, also note the radars!

FrankvC Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018

I wonder how many people would fit inside xD This is truly the leviathan of the seas

What an amazing design and drawing I really wish I could do something as amazing as the pieces of art you make They are above superb above magnificent above everything!! Thanks for all the effort Thank so much

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 18, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Around 2800-3000 crew members

Jimbowyrick1 Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Hobbyist General Artist

COOL!!!
Now do one that's even longer with two extra 18" turrets (!!!) and double the number of smaller caliber weapons!

Lifei-Xue Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018

OMG I wish military we have in modern time, have this many gun.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

The Soviet Kirovs are the closest 1x2 130mm 12x6 30mm

Or the Kuznetsov: 22x6 30mm

Foxy-FiveACP Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Hobbyist

Not having to deal with the size limitations of the Panama Canal, those Japanese battleships grew to be gigantic.

Great job on this.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Well this is my interpretation of the last possible IJN Battleship design but yes

Foxy-FiveACP Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Hobbyist

Indeed. And an excellent interpretation it is.

18InchPen Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Student Artist

Wow!

kike-92 Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018

What a monster

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

indeed

jerzeyboy1995 Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist General Artist

I don't think HMS uncomparable would wanna fight that ship.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

HMS Uncomparable was a battlecruiser proposal, good speed and guns but light armour no way it could fight a battleship!

EnsignFrostbiteFox99 Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I would be scared outta my head if I saw that thing barrelling at me

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

GAT-X139 Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018

So what are you going to do now that you've finished all Yamato related works

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Rest a bit

Midway2009 Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Awesome work!

TheAbyssalSamurai Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist Artist

And here I thought the H44 was nuts. Imagine the two vessels being built and used in battle. Which one was the more lumbering giant paper tiger XD

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

A-150 has superior armour and optical rangefinders and excellent guns, H-44 had only greater operational range and depending on the accepted speed of A-150, H-44 was faster a bit.

TheAbyssalSamurai Featured By Owner Aug 17, 2018 Hobbyist Artist

Still, is it possible to fit 4 triple 51cm guns on a ship that size. H44 was bigger and yet only managed to fit 4 twin turrets?

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 18, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Germany preferred twin turrets and Yamato's hullform is much better not to mention the bulbous bow which reduces wave resistance considerably, hence smaller hull could achieve the same speed.
I think only the plain H 39 was worked out in detail the other designs were just enlargement of that so no details worked into them.

TheAbyssalSamurai Featured By Owner Aug 18, 2018 Hobbyist Artist

But how did the Japanese fit triple turrets but the Germans could only fit twins.

And yeah, H39 seems to be the possible of the designs, maybe H40 as well. H41 onwards starts to get a bit ridiculous

darkwanderer123456 Featured By Owner Edited Aug 20, 2018

For gun turret designs, German put the main hoists at the center next to the gun (these are individual hoists for "main" (i.e metal case) and "fore" (propellant bag) charges but can lifting shell as well, each guns have their own main hoist and another auxiliary hoist (located at behind the gun breech, at front the rammer and below the gun house), rear hoist using to elevate shells with fixed or tiltable cages. Also to managing ammunition easier, German divided their magazine for both guns (each have their own shell room, cartridge room, powder room and hoists just run straight down to bottom platform. Depending on turrets, at the near-end center it have ready-use ammunition rack (store up to 4 shells) for fast-firing and reduce loading cycles (shell picked up, sliding into the trays, while both charges picked up and moving the tray, rammed and fire again). Is a large mess of complexity and very space consuming which is why their turret size are so massive compare to counterpart navies, fitting triple and even quad is a nope and near impossible (although 28cm/52 & 54 due to political decision to built).

As for German naval gun designs, they using Krupp sliding horizontal or vertical breech guns (which were used on medium, small guns) for quick-firing, different than bagged gun it using a metal cartridge case (either brass or steel) storing all propellant, with additional powder bags to changing muzzle velocity, penetration and range and finally the main projectile i.e shell. (In short: Shell - Bag -Cartridge <== Rammer == ), breech door called "sliding" since you can pull by hand, larger gun can be sealed with cartridge once it rammed (as it prevent gas leaking out), once it fired the powder bag burned, while the used cartridge will eject through the rear flap door (depending either turret have disposal chute or eject tray).

Other nations using bag ammunition and only German navy purely using cased ammunition.

Despite rejecting triple and quadruple, German Navy have did study on them and some mentioned like 35cm/45 and 38cm/45 with triple and quadruple turrets (this either full quad or French-style quadruple) that could have been mounted on 1916-1917 battleship/battlecruisers studies.

Edit: Not just German, Austria-Hungarian also using cased ammunition on both small and larger guns, the proposed 34cm, 35cm, 38cm and 42cm all using cased-bag ammo like German navy.

TheAbyssalSamurai Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018 Hobbyist Artist

Damn. That sounds quite complicated.

darkwanderer123456 Featured By Owner Aug 20, 2018

Indeed, but other reasons is to simplified fire control systems and gun director length. Germans referred 4x2 layout since it will provide equal firepower both aft and fore, with the guns high rate of fire that you could said it can offset the lack of gun numbers in favor more salvos.

These naval guns are not bad but over-designed and Krupp didn't even bother since they think is "fine" as it's.

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Because the Germans required large turrets for their loading systems and twin turrets were more practical and simpler than triples, also they preferred twins. Look at the M class they could too easily carry 3-4 triple 15cm guns yet stayed with twins.

TheAbyssalSamurai Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018 Hobbyist Artist

Yeah it is always strange to be how the Germans never got around developinga triple turret for anything outher than the Konigsberg, Nuremberg, Deustchland and Scharnhorst

Tzoli Featured By Owner Aug 20, 2018 Hobbyist Digital Artist

And the Scharnhorst original design and later rearmament featured twin 38cm turrets!

(1 Reply)

darkwanderer123456 Featured By Owner Aug 19, 2018

They considered triple turret for Bismarck-class but never into development, scaring that losing more firepower, slow down rate of fire, complicated hoists loading systems and too heavy compare to twin mounts.

Grosser Kurfurst in WOWS show how big for German designed three-gun turret.

(2 Replies)