On 21 Apr 2016 at 21:44, Joseph Paul wrote:

> I would love to see some concrete cites on costs of converting base
> models to changed use requirements. What exactly does a change of
> requirement mean to you? it didn't seem to cost too much to convert a
> C-47 into Puff the Magic Dragon. The Israeli's seemed to have done
> quite well with modding the M-4 Sherman to be able to compete against
> T-54/55 models. We have done some extensive modifications of armored
> vehicles  - the Churchill being made into the AVRE (or any other MBT
> being the base for a combat engineering and recovery vehicle), the M4
> chassis being used for tank destroyers, up-gunned, made into troop
> carriers,  mounting MRLs, Hobarts funnies, etc. Better engines (or
> just changing from gas to diesel to cut down on flammability!), more
> armor - sometimes as field expedient add-ons. Is the TUSK add-on for
> M1 tanks a change of requirement? How about the Soviet adoption of
> reactive armor? These are all examples of states not deciding to
> create a new vehicle to fulfill a role (which they could do) but to
> modify an existing vehicle for that role or to meet changing
> battlefield conditions.  These sort of things have certainly been
> done by states that had other armaments available to them but could
> not afford them so your assertion that, because of cost, "This option
> is the least viable and usually the last option taken when nothing
> else is available." seems odd to me.

Note also the practice of modifying and rebuilding warships. Some of the changes were
quite radical, such as taking old ships of the line, cutting off the upper deck, and
re-rating them as an even lower rate and using them as frigates (yes, frigates were
often actual, rated, ships of the line - just not ones you wanted in a fight with 1st to 3rd
rates).

Then there were the ships converted to aircraft carriers after WWI. And those
converted from gun armaments to missiles after WWII.

And while the rebuilds of battleships between WWI & WWII were due to treaties, it
was still a much cheaper process than building all new ships. Refits of warships with
better radars and AA systems was normal throughout WWII. So was refitting
destroyers with better ASW systems. Hell, upgrading ships and aircrafts with new
electronics is big business these days - it's hella expensive, but still cheaper than
buying a whole new plane or ship.