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Photo # S-511-13:  Preliminary design plan for a 70,000 ton battleship, 15 March 1940

Online Library of Selected Images -- Photo Albums

Bureau of Ships' "Spring Styles" Book # 3 (1939-1944) -- (Naval Historical Center Lot # S-511) --
Battleship Preliminary Design Drawings

Of the 75 preliminary design drawings in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles" Book, only five are related to battleships. Three of these were produced in February-March 1940, during consideration of alternative designs for the still-born Montana class (then known as the "BB-65" class, a designation later changed to "BB-67"). Another, from July 1940, compares the Montana class hull profile with that of the Iowa (BB-61) class, while the fifth portrays a June 1942 scheme for converting an Iowa class hull to an aircraft carrier.

This page features those 1939-1944 Bureau of Ships "Spring Styles" plans that concern battleships.

For general information on this album, see:

  • Bureau of Ships' "Spring Styles" Book # 3 (1939-1944) -- General Description.


    On the picture data sheets referenced from this page, click on the thumbnail image (small photograph) to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    The Battleship drawings included in this album are:

    -- Three proposed designs for the Montana class:

  • S-511-11: "Battleship Design Study, BB-65 -- Scheme 3 - (1940 Studies)". Plan dated 6 February 1940 for a 52,500 ton battleship with a main battery of twelve 16" guns. A design studied during the process leading to the Montana (BB-67) class battleships, the first of which was at that time to have hull number BB-65.
  • S-511-12: "Battleship Design Study, BB-65 -- Scheme 4 - (1940 Studies)". Plan dated 14 February 1940 for a 54,500 ton battleship with a main battery of twelve 16" guns. A design studied during the process leading to the Montana class.
  • S-511-13: "Battleship Design Study, BB-65 -- Scheme 8 - (1940 Studies)". Plan dated 15 March 1940 for a 70,000 ton battleship with a main battery of twelve 16" guns. A design studied during the process leading to the Montana class battleships.

    -- One plan comparing the Montana class hull with that of the Iowa class:

  • S-511-21: "Battleship Study, BB 65 - Scheme 1 and BB 61-64 (Incl{usive})". Plan dated 9 July 1940, comparing the outboard profile of the Iowa (BB-61) class battleships with the hull profile of the Montana (BB-67) class. At this time the first Montana class ship was to be BB-65.

    -- One plan of a proposed conversion of an Iowa class battleship to an aircraft carrier:

  • S-511-54: "Aircraft Carrier, Converted from BB 61-66 Class". Plan dated June 1942 for converting an Iowa class battleship to an aircraft carrier. A design studied as part of an exploration of carrier conversions of warship hulls then under construction.



    For general information on this album, see:

  • Bureau of Ships' "Spring Styles" Book # 3 (1939-1944) -- General Description.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 28 March 2005