Idea is to make it PBEM only, because:
1.) I don't know how to do AI.
2.) Because I plan to do a lot of conversion specials like this to let the player "build" their fleet the first two turns or so.
Converting South Dakota BBs into Fast AORs. Yes, this was studied in the 1950s.
The plan as concieved would have stripped the superstructure except the smoke stack and the 5"/38 handling rooms off; and a new shelter deck would be added fore and aft for UNREP protection as well as cargo space. The former 16" barbettes would become ammunition stowage areas served by cargo elevators.
All the weapons would be stripped except for four 5"/38 Twin mounts. Speed would remain the same, 27 kts, but range would fall to about 8,000 nm (compared to 12,00 nm before).
She'd be able to transfer 10,700 tons of oil and 2,600 tons of bulk cargo over the sides.
Later, BuShips studied the Iowas for possible UNREP conversions; this was the line of thought which led to the Sacramento AORs, which used half-Iowa plants and a vague Iowa Hull shape.
I also plan on letting the USN player have a squadron or two of SSPs. Historically, two were built as prototypes. The Marines wanted a squadron of 12 of them, to land a full 1,440 man Marine Assault battalion with pack howitzers, and RCLs ashore.
