T.W. Converted Battleship Texas:

Still under conversions, the Battleship Texas will likely become the ultimate Techno-Wizard converted vessel. The conversion process will require three to four years and borrows ideas from the conversions of the early Twentieth Century cruiser Olympia and the World War Two carrier Cabot but with a few twists in the design as well. Only a little newer than the cruiser but it is much more heavily armed and served in both World War One and World War Two. The battleship carries ten fourteen inch guns which can devastate anything afloat and the ship will likely form the nucleus and flagship of a new techno-wizard navy.

The ship was found in relatively poor condition in what was the Old American Empire State of Texas. The ship's position was slightly inland from the sea and was shielded from the worst that Storms from the coming of the Rifts could do. It was discovered several years before an attempt to salvage it was started and the ship had to be made seaworthy before it could even be towed to where the techno-wizard could work on the ship. The idea of converting the vessel was inspired by the conversion of other vessels through techno-wizardry. One of the advantages of having techno-wizards restore a vessel as opposed to normal shipfitters is that the can use magic to make the ship remember what it looked like in its prime and then restore it to that condition through the spell "Mend the Broken." Like the ships before it, the conversion of the ship could almost be called a labor of love by the techno-wizards. The ship is unusual and is even more of a relic than World War Two vessels and it is likely that the oddness of the vessel is much that attracts their interest.

The plan is to keep the vessel appearing as much like the original as possible. The design is closest to that of the ship during the end of World War Two and while the ship was preserved as a museum ship. Because much of the equipment of the ship now will use magical energy, the ship will have a special system that gathers P.P.E. when at a Ley Line or Nexus Point.

The armor plates are to be enchanted like the Olympia so that they are as strong as the alloy and composite plates used in the construction of advanced naval ships. This process is a major undertaking and will take months to complete. The propulsion system is different from those on most other major techno-wizard vessels. The vessel is steam powered but does not use magic energy from a techno-wizard and instead relies on the interaction between water elementals and fire elementals to produce the needed steam. The system is similar to that carried on the Iron Mark tank except it is built on a larger scale. This power source has a virtually indefinite duration unlike the steam plants on the Cabot and Olympia and the lesser elementals do not mind being used in this manner as they get to travel around the world contained in the ships boilers. This system is expected to produce more power than the original power plant and be able to propel the vessel at about 22 knots. Like the other techno-wizard steam powered naval vessels and the elemental steam powered tank, the Texas is planned to be fitted with a "Cloud of Smoke" generator on the smokestack.

Weapon systems are planned to contain a combination of old weapon systems and modern weapon systems. The ten fourteen inch guns will be retained but they will have automation added so that they can be fired more rapidly and require less crew than they did originally. As well, the blueprints of several later battleship classes were studied and the turrets are going to be modified so that the maximum upward angle of the barrels is thirty degrees. Some books listed that this modification had already been done to the vessel but it was never carried out. When the ship became a museum ship, only six of the original sixteen mounts of five inch guns remained. These were also modified for a higher rate of fire and a higher angle of fire. Even with the modification, these casemate mounts will not be able to be used effectively against aircraft and other fast moving targets. Rocket assisted projectiles were adapted for both weapon systems and magical projectiles are being designed for the fourteen inch cannons. All of the ships light weaponry have been completely stripped with the plan to replace them with new weapon systems. In the position vacated bye rearmost quad forty millimeter mounts on the superstructure will be mounted short range missile box launchers. These systems are very similar to the pre-rifts RAM missile launchers. The remaining positions of both three inch guns and forty millimeter quad mounts will be replaced by double barrel flack cannon mounts. These mounts are identical to those carried on the USS Cabot and are essentially a copy of the Triax flack cannon from the Jaeger power armor. There is planned to be one mount on either side of the signal bridge, four on either side of the superstructure, one on either side of the smoke stack on the main deck, two on the main deck on either side of the rear tripod mast, and two mounts on the fantail also on the main deck. This gives the ship a total of eighteen flack cannon mounts. The possibility exists of adding a large number of smaller mounts in the future. The battleship originally carried four torpedo tubes with two on either side. These weapon systems were removed before World War Two but new torpedo tubes are planned to be mounted in the same location as the original torpedo tubes. The new tubes and torpedoes will be of a modern design and will be effective against both submarines and surface targets.

In addition to conventional weapon systems, the vessel is planned to be equipped with several forms of magical protection. These systems are similar to those carried on other Techno-Wizard vessels. The first is a magical chaff and flare style decoy system that looks like fireworks when it is activated. The second is a magical shockwave which can easily knock down all the missiles fired at it. The main limitation is that it can only be activated once per melee.

The radar systems mounted on the ship were badly outdated and all need to be replaced. The forward mast is planned to be reinforced and an SPS-49 Radar System mounted where the old radar system was mounted. It is interesting because the vessel was one of the first to mount an experimental radar system. The radar system will be backed up with an advanced radar detection and jamming systems which also came from pre-rifts vessels. The ship also mounts improved fire control systems including radar and laser targeting. It was decided that a sonar system would be needed to give the battleship some defenses against submarines and a powerful pre-rifts sonar system is also planned to be mounted. For magical sensor systems, the battleship will have 'See the Invisible' placed on several of the optics.

The berthing areas were updated several times since the ship was commissioned but were still relatively uncomfortable. The modifications will allow a sizeable reduction in the crew and new berthing areas are being set up for the crew. This coupled with a magical environmental system will make the ship far more comfortable and fully protected against environmental conditions and gas attacks.

The ship is planned to carry about two hundred troops with half of the troops being in mystic power armors. The ship will be fitted with a catapult on top of the middle turret and will be able to carry up to two floatplane style aircraft. The aircraft will likely be reproductions of the World Tar Two Kingfisher patrol aircraft and the catapults are planned to be electromagnetic in operation.

Model Type: TW-BB-35
Vehicle Type: Ocean, MDC Converted Armored Cruiser
Crew: 420 (Late World War 2 crew was 1,725) with at least 12 techno-wizard and 10 other spell casting types.
Troops: 200 (100 pilots for Mystic Power Armors, 100 soldiers in body armor)

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
100Mystic Power Armors
2Float Plane style Aircraft

M.D.C. by location:
Fourteen Inch Cannon Barrels (10, 2 each turret)250 each
Fourteen Inch Cannon Turrets (5 - Double mounts):1,100 each
Five Inch Cannons (6, 3 on each side)150 each
Twin Barrel Flack Cannon Turret (18, Sides):280
Short Range Missile Launchers (2, Rear of Superstructure):150 each
Torpedo Tubes (4, Sides):50 each
Electromagnetic Rail Catapult (Top of Turret Three):200
Rear Tripod Mast600
[1] Radar System:400
[2] Bridge:1,500
[3] Main Body:8,500

Notes:
[1] Destroying Search Radar Tower will eliminate SPS-49 radar system.
[2] If Control Bridge is destroyed, the ship can still be piloted from engineering but with a -15% to piloting rolls due to using emergency controls. Communication and sensor equipment are not concentrated on the bridge to reduce the effectiveness of bridge hits.
[3] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity, causing the ship to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.

Speed:
Surface: 25.3 mph (22 knots/40.8 kph).
Range: Effectively Unlimited (Special magical elemental power source.) The ship carries six months worth of supplies on board

Statistical Data:
Length: 573 feet (174.7 meters) overall
Draft: 31.5 feet (9.6 meters)
Width: 106.25 feet (32.4 meters)
Displacement: 28,500 tons normal load and 30,500 fully loaded
Cargo: 600 tons of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ships officers have more space for personal items. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.
Power System: Was original steam propulsion but has been converted to a Magical power supply (uses water and fire elementals to feed power system with an indefinite duration).
Black Market Cost: Not for Sale.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. Five (5) Mk XII Double Barrel Fourteen Inch (356 mm) Naval Guns: Two turrets are mounted on the ship forward of the ship's superstructure ship, one turret is mounted behind the superstructure but before the rear pole mast, and two turrets are mounted on the rear of the vessel. Tow turrets can fire forward, two turrets can fire to the rear, and all five turrets can fire to the side. The barrels have been modified so that can be elevated up to 30 degrees and the turrets can rotate 280 degrees. These cannons are less powerful than those that were mounted on the later Iowa class battleship but are still capable of destroying a target in a small number of shots. Likely, any other Naval ship that gets within these guns will be destroyed in just a few minutes. The cannons are also very effective in ground bombarding roles. These cannons do have a limited rate of fire and are too large to be effectively used against aircraft. The cannons can also use rocket assisted projectiles for extended range.
    Maximum Effective Range: Standard Projectiles: 22.7 miles (19.7 nautical miles / 36.5 km). Rocket projectiles: 34.1 miles (29.6 nautical miles / 54.9 km)
    Mega-Damage: Standard Projectiles: 5D6x10 to a blast radius of 50 ft (15.2 m) for High Explosive, 6D6x10+10 to a blast radius of 10 ft (3 m) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 1D4x100+100 to a blast radius of 50 ft (15.2 m) for Plasma. Rocket projectiles: 4D4x10 to a blast radius of 30 feet (9.1 m) for High Explosive, 5D6x10 to a blast radius of 6 ft (2 m) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 6D6x10 to a blast radius of 30 feet (9.1 m) for Plasma. Magical Warheads: Treat as spells of the same level cast at eighth level: Negate Mechanics, Annihilate, Electromagnetism, Hurricane, Tornado, and Tidal wave. Others are possible as well but are not common. Cannons can also use special purpose warheads, double the statistics for 203 mm artillery warheads for damage and effects (Go to Battlefield Artillery for Rifts for more information - standard or rocket assisted as appropriate).
    Rate of Fire: Once every two melees or two shots per barrel per minute (Can fire up to 4 shots per turret per minute or up to 20 shots with all five turrets).
    Payload: 1200 Rounds (240 per turret), usually carries 240 High Explosive, 300 High Explosive Armor Piercing, 300 Plasma, 120 Rocket Propelled High Explosive, 120 Rocket Propelled High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 120 Rocket Propelled Plasma rounds. The ship will carry special rounds when employed in artillery roles.
  2. Six (6) Five Inch (127 mm) Naval Guns in Casemates: Three are mounted on either side of the ship in the superstructure on the main deck level. All hull mounts have been removed since before World War II. The cannons look like the original cannons but they are an automatic model with a higher rate of fire. The guns have a limited arc of fire due to the fact that they are mounted in casemates and cannot be used against air targets. The cannons add enough firepower to the ship to be retained and the cannons can be used against other ships and against ground targets. The cannons can use rocket assisted projectiles but they are not normally carried.
    Maximum Effective Range: 12 miles (10.4 nm/19.3 km) for standard projectiles, 20 miles (17.4 nm/32.2 km) for rocket propelled rounds (If actually carried).
    Mega-Damage: Standard Projectiles: 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 ft (7.7 m) for High Explosive, 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 6 ft (2 m) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 4D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 ft (7.7 m) for Plasma. Can also use special warheads, treat as 105 mm standard artillery warheads payload for damage. Rocket projectiles (If Carried): 2D4x10 to a blast radius of 20 ft (6.1 m) for High Explosive, 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 4 ft (1.2 m) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 20 ft (6.1 m) for Plasma. Cannons can also use special purpose warheads, use the statistics for 105 mm artillery warheads (Go to Battlefield Artillery for Rifts for more information - standard or rocket assisted as appropriate).
    Rate of Fire: Maximum of four per melee per cannon.
    Payload: 2,400 rounds (400 per gun mount), Usually carries 600 High Explosive, 600 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 1,200 Plasma, Ship will carry special rounds only when employed in artillery roles.
  3. Twin Recoilless Anti-Aircraft Flack Cannon Turrets (18): The cannons are mounted in twins a protective turret on the sides of the ship with each cannon is identical to the TX-862FC with the exception that the weapon's ammunition bins are larger and are mounted in pairs. The mounts replace 40 mm and 3 inch Cannon mounts. There is one mount on either side of the signal bridge, four on either side of the superstructure, one on either side of the smoke stack on the main deck, two on the main deck on either side of the rear tripod mast, and two mounts on the fantail also on the main deck. The cannon turrets can rotate 360 and the barrel can tilt up to 90 degrees. It is normally used for Anti-Aircraft purposes but also works as excellent but fairly short range artillery.
    Maximum Effective Range: 10,000 feet (3048 meters).
    Mega Damage: Single Round: 4D6 MDC, Two Rounds 1D6x10, and Six Rounds 3D6x10. Double weapons damage if the gun is firing both cannons simultaneously
    Rate of Fire: Equal to the gunners combined hand to hand (usually 5 or 6) each (Firing both barrels counts as one attack)
    Payload: Total 1200 for each barrel (2400 total for mount). That is 200 volleys of 6 rounds, or 600 two round volleys.
    Special Feature: The flack cannon has both and independent power supply and its own laser targeting and radar tracking system (especially useful if radar system is destroyed). Sensor has a range of 11,000 feet (3353 meters). The system can also be set on automatic which gives it +1 to strike and three attacks per melee and will fire two round burst. Gives +2 when fired pilot.
  4. Two (2) Short Range Missile Launching Systems: Each launcher has a 36 Short Range Missiles and fills a similar role to the Pre-Rifts RAM missile launcher. These launchers primary purpose is to shoot incoming missiles. The missile launchers are mounted in the rearmost superstructure position in the weapon mounts that originally carried quad mounted 40 mm cannons. Missiles are usually 50% AP and 50% Plasma. Each launcher operates independently
    Maximum Effective Range: As per short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega Damage: As per short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, six, or twelve (Each launcher operates independently)
    Payload: 36 missiles each launcher for a grand total of 72 missiles (Has 144 missiles for reloads kept in storage)
  5. Four (4) Heavy Torpedo Launchers: The ship has two torpedo tubes on each side of the ship. The original tubes were removed long before the ship even became a museum ship but new ones have been placed on the ship and are useful against both submarines and surface ships. The ship carries caries 32 reloads for torpedoes.
    Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (64 km)
    Mega-Damage: By Heavy torpedo warhead type (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes).
    Rate of fire: One at a time per torpedo tube (Torpedoes can be fired in volleys of two to either side), Reloading takes 1 full melee
    Payload: 2 torpedo each side for a grand total of 4 torpedoes (Has a total of 32 torpedoes for reloads)
  6. Shockwave Defense System: When it is activated, a circular energy wave is emanated from the ship in all directions. The blast is semi-spherical and effects travel upwards as well. The blast does not effect targets underwater. It is longer ranged version of the eight level spell shockwave. Unfortunately, the spell can only be activated once per melee and requires magical energy every time it is activated. It is mostly used to destroy incoming missiles. The system does not effect people and equipment on the deck of the ship
    Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 feet (305 meters) in all directions
    Mega Damage: 1D4x10 to all targets within radius of effect (SDC objects will be completely destroyed). The system also inflicts knock as per the spell shockwave on page 144 of federation of magic. (General Guideline: If the shockwave does not destroy the incoming missiles then missiles of medium range and smaller have an 88% of being knocked from the air, long range missiles have a 50% chance of being knocked out of the air, and cruise missiles have a 20% of being knocked out of the air)
    Rate of Fire: Once per melee
    Payload: One, requires 35 P.P.E. to be activated again
  7. Fireworks Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser (8): In many ways this system is similar to technological versions of the Chaff/Flare system. When the system fires, it looks like fireworks firing. The anti-missile system works by combining three spells. The three spells are Fire Bolt, Apparition, and Telekinesis. The physical effects of the system are similar to the Triax Anti-Missile chaff but instead of being reloaded, it is recharged by spells.
    Effect: Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half.
    Duration: 1D4 melee rounds.
    Payload: 10 Uses before being recharged. Each launcher is recharged by the spells Apparition (20 P.P.E.), Fire Bolt (7 P.P.E.), and Telekinesis (8 P.P.E.). The cost for all launchers to be recharged is 280 P.P.E. All launchers must be activated at the same time to operate correctly.
  8. Cloud of Fog Generator: This system is built into the ships smoke stacks and unlike most magical systems, does not require magical from a spell caster and instead uses the steam from the ship's engines to produce the cloud of fog.
    Range: 6,000 feet (1,830 meters) in all directions
    Effect: Produces a fog bank that obscures vision. Visibility is reduced to 60 feet inside the cloud and even with thermal sensors, a penalty of -2 to strike parry and dodge
    Payload: Effectively Unlimited
  9. Techno-Wizard Modifications: The Texas has the following Techno-Wizard Modifications built into the ship. These require P.P.E. or I.S.P. from the ships crew or P.P.E. battery. The PPE and ISP values listed inside of the parenthesis are if using higher PPE costs for larger vehicles.
    Special Features:

Special Systems:
The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:

[Golden Age Weaponsmiths is a trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

Copyright © 2001, Kitsune. All rights reserved.

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