056 class FFL/corvette

chuck731 said:

Frankly, the "new" bridge look to be exactly the same height as the old bridge to me. Both main bridges structures are exactly 2 decks high, with navigation bridge windows at the second deck level.

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The earlier vessels had a flat deck above the bridge windows that extended aft to the area around the mast.

The new design has a higher level above the bridge windows that extends aft to the main mast.

This is what people are talking about when thy say the "new" bridge. Over the actual bridge the deck is not higher, and that higher deck extends back to the deck house around the mast.

You can see it in the new picture above the windows on the bridge. On the old design the top of the deck is right over the windows. On the newer design it is a couple of feet higher.

OLDER DESIGN


NEW DESIGN

Jeff Head said:

The earlier vessels had a flat deck above the bridge windows that extended aft to the area around the mast.

The new design has a higher level above the bridge windows that extends aft to the main mast.

This is what people are talking about when thy say the "new" bridge. Over the actual bridge the deck is not higher, and that higher deck extends back to the deck house around the mast.

You can see it in the new picture above the windows on the bridge. On the old design the top of the deck is right over the windows. On the newer design it is a couple of feet higher.

OLDER DESIGN

NEW DESIGN

Click to expand...

Definitely a difference on the forward superstructure and bridge section. It seems like the base of the main mast is bigger as well and slopes forward instead of straight onto the bridge roof.. The only thing 'funny' is I do not see any cutouts for the windows on the bridge but that is probably just optical illuision because the photo is taken far away and at an angle.

kwaigonegin said:

Definitely a difference on the forward superstructure and bridge section. It seems like the base of the main mast is bigger as well and slopes forward instead of straight onto the bridge roof.. The only thing 'funny' is I do not see any cutouts for the windows on the bridge but that is probably just optical illuision because the photo is taken far away and at an angle.

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but this compares the most recent unit to the first batch. I don't think the 4th and 5th 056 from HD have different bridge section.

Anyone else notice the round hole cut in the helipad? Could that me a life opening giving access to the lower deck from the helipad?

plawolf said:

Anyone else notice the round hole cut in the helipad? Could that me a life opening giving access to the lower deck from the helipad?

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Nah, that's just the position for the Heligrid helicopter landing grid, all 056 have them, what you see right now is just they haven't install the honeycomb mash yet.

Thought you should've known by now, for this is something so commonly found on 054 series and 056.

MwRYum said:

Nah, that's just the position for the Heligrid helicopter landing grid, all 056 have them, what you see right now is just they haven't install the honeycomb mash yet.

Thought you should've known by now, for this is something so commonly found on 054 series and 056.

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Didn't notice that the 056 had the Heligrid before.

kwaigonegin said:

Definitely a difference on the forward superstructure and bridge section. It seems like the base of the main mast is bigger as well and slopes forward instead of straight onto the bridge roof.. The only thing 'funny' is I do not see any cutouts for the windows on the bridge but that is probably just optical illuision because the photo is taken far away and at an angle.

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Found another pair of pictures which I have put side by side which clearly illustrate the bridge and mast differences noted earlier in the thread between the older and newer build 056s.

All the attachments on the roof of the bridge appear reduced in height on the new design which means that the 'thicker'/'taller' bridge roof is most likely just a shell or solid railing as I suggested earlier similar to the shielding around the funnels. The bottom front of the mast has been made much cleaner besides from the more sloped shape change with cut corners.

I think both changes have to do with improved stealth and maybe seaworthiness. Not that the original 056 design would sink but given how short the ship is the new design probably lets the roof attachments and the mast take less of a face smack when confronted by a tall wave.

PanAsian said:

Found another pair of pictures which I have put side by side which clearly illustrate the bridge and mast differences noted earlier in the thread between the older and newer build 056s.

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That is the best picture yet showing the difference between the bridges. Thanks, PanA!

plawolf said:

Didn't notice that the 056 had the Heligrid before.

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Check my post @ #1661. There's a link to my Google album, or look for a few post beneath that, because Jeff pulled some pics from there for me and posted them on his post.

And it is called Heligrid as far as I can tell...unless other manufacturer also making similar product, but only Googled Cramm as the result.

Jeff Head said:

That is the best picture yet showing the difference between the bridges. Thanks, PanA!

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I actually think the older design is sleeker but the redesigned bridge probably came via inputs from the sailors to make it more functional.

As to the circular cutout on the aft deck it is definitely a landing grid. This is even more crucial in ships like the 056 that don't have hanger space because in a rough sea state, the grid secures the chopper onto the ship.