A Essex in service with the RAN

So if we compare the F-8 with the F-14, the F-8 would be a better choice for the RAN if they had a Essex.

Also i think the F-8 is good enough for what the RAN needs.

Glad to see that you are a man of taste as well!

Any TL where I get to keep the Crusader taking off and landing on decks is fun, particularly when you think about how both the MN & RAN FAA could work together to get the most out of an ageing platform with the F - 8. One thing that would need to happen is acquiring a BVR capability, as Tom Clancy demonstrated in 'Red Storm Rising.' While that capability is provided to a limited extent with the radar guided AIM 9 or adopting the French Matra R.530. I'd prefer something that has more range in the fleet defence role. So a F - 8 Crusader & A 7 Corsair wing would be a good choice, given the commonality of parts between the two fast jets. One option that I could see is that noting the timeframe that Australia may even get our F - 8s modified to fit the J 75 similar to the Avon Sabre.  

Alternatively, if we went the F - 4 Phantom route I can't see two fast jets - it would just be the one.


Horses for courses IMHO - either something similar to the French carriers Clem & Foch or something unique again. 

I'm at a pinch point with my story plotting and thought I would share my problem here with the learned Board members.

At a very high level my story outline has the Indonesians conducting Operation Trikora in 1960 leading to Indonesian Air Force Tu 16 Badgers attacking the Dutch carrier Karel Doorman and either damaging or sinking her. This acts as the catalyst for the decision by the RAN & cabinet to accept the American offer of an Essex class carrier.

However, to my mind there would be a capability gap until Australia enters service some time in 1963 / 1964 post SCB 27C refit. In the interim, how likely is it that Sydney or Melbourne could be offered to the Dutch to replace their lost or damaged carrier, and in exchange the RAN would then operate Albion or Bulwark under loan until Australia joins the fleet? This would provide the RAN experience in operating from a larger deck with more aircraft & a larger ship's company, thereby acting as a stepping stone to an Essex class entering service.

This then creates two issues for me, namely that the fighters embarked with the interim carrier would need to be upgraded from Melbourne's Sea Venoms to another type reflecting the more adverse threat environment. My thought is that the A - 4 Skyhawk would be chosen in lieu of other available types, since it provides a reasonable light fighter capability & would then form an integral part of the new carrier's airgroup. Allowing the Crusader squadron & OCU to enter service in a staggered fashion, partially easing the training and integration bottlenecks. Also how likely is it that the RAN FAA would be able to operate two fast jets at the one time? This probably leads to Nirimba acting as the second Naval Air Station.

Otherwise if no interim carrier is selected, the Sea Venom squadron might be augmented with F-9F Cougars or FJ 2 Furies on loan from the USN to perform the day fighter role and also adding AEW capable Gannets to the air group. Which option do you think is more likely?

Finally, while my original notes had the Indonesians installing surface to surface missiles in East Timor, as well as along the north eastern corner of Sumatra facing Singapore. Ideally, I would like my potential story to have a stronger Australian flavour to it, so I'm trying to work out how that could occur (i.e. Australia is the only carrier on station at the start of the crisis) or, is there another location that could be used that would directly threaten our SLOCs and / or continental Australia?

I’d go for damage to Karel Doorman, as a sinking and large casualty event has the capacity to escalate; escalation at this time means The Bomb.

Loaning Sydney to the Dutch is a go; similarly, getting either of the RN Centaurs is doable. Long term, the Dutch could get Leviathan finished for them with the Yanks footing the bill.

This all sets up an RAN Essex, but I’d caution against pumping up the Indonesians into too much of a threat. Already, without adding SSMs near Singers, you’re going to see more nuclear armed RAF bombers at Singapore plus a full carrier presence. The situation could have the Aussies being the southern part of a pincer against Djakarta.

The elephant in the room is that with that large a threat, we’d go nuclear. The carriers would be less of the frontline weapon then in favour of whatever bomber we get; you’d get a metric ton of brownie points if you made that the TSR-2.