Favourite Ship

[Muspelheim]

The Arktika class of nuclear icebreakers. They're awesome.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/RIAN_archive_186141_Nuclear_icebreaker_Arktika.jpg

Harnessing the Power of the Atom to crush the ice of the North Pole before it. Not even coordinated polar bear attacks can bring it to a stop.

 

[MiskWisk]

My absolute favourite is the Antaeus adaptive cruiser. It's a fictional carrier that produces new units within seconds using nanobots, then outfits them with chips that hold the minds of dead soldiers. Plus it rises from the ocean floor with an activation signal (that's why it's so rusty in the picture).

Spoiler

Oh man that takes me back. I really enjoyed that game even if the forced stealth mission was an exercise in frustration and keyboard smashing for me.

Anyway, back to the crux of the thread, mine would probably be:

Spoiler: This little beauty here

As there is no kill quite like overkill. I mean really, aside from how big the thing is, it carries a laser that for all intents and purposes is just one giant screw you gun to anything that tries to take it head on.

Anyway, I'll stop being boring now.

 

[Icehearted]

I see people mentioning Serenity a lot, but I get the feeling that ship would feel mighty cramped.

My vote's for the SSV Normandy. Elegant, fast, she can handler herself in space and in atmospheres, comfy captain's quarters (especially in the Cerberus rebuild), and room enough for a great crew and two land vehicles. The damned thing even has an aquarium, a bar, and a sassy but loyal AI with a twisted sense of humor running a lot of her functions. That's luxury!

 

[SckizoBoy]

The arm chair historian in me needed to respond. "with air cover please" The Yamato and Musashi were relics of a bygone era as soon as they rolled off the dry docks. They were horrifically undergunned for anti-air, even after a refit to attempt to address the problem. Also, a submarine isn't worried about a battleship's armor. Ship armor comes in the form of belts, and they only skirt below the surface of the water. The Yamato itself was ultimately sunk by torpedoes hitting the bottom, unarmored side, of her hull as she was listing.

I think that was the whole point behind the 'with air cover please'... though more in the super-heavies' case than even what battleships the Brits chucked out.

The Type 96 3 x 25mm was one of the shitest AA options in service. Who kits out an AA battery with 15 round magazines, FFS?! They were crap against high-speed aircraft, shook if you shot them too quickly, shot out too quickly anyway and to cap it off, had a lousy rate of fire in the first place. It was a compromise for which compromise was one of the dumbest things you could contemplate. :/

*shrug*

Off the top of my head I would say that my favourite ship is the Japanese fleet carrier Shokaku. It was a really nice looking carrier and proved to be quite handy throughout the early part of the Pacific War. Though her sister-ship Zuikaku had a much more distinguished career.

Oh hey! Long time no see... -.-

I take issue with Shoukaku for two reasons... its superstructure was too far forward for my liking... and, trivially enough, the name. 'Flying Crane'? Colour me eh...(!!)

Still, for a 34000ton carrier, she was very well armoured, long-ranged and was nifty in a race...

 

[A_Parked_Car]

No, it was more an overall focus of naval engagements in the Pacific, driving some new commentary based on recently released/found Japanese naval reports. I could have sworn it had Eagle in the title and that was the first one that came up when I searched, but that does seem to be older than what he'd indicated when we were chatting about it.

Hmmm...Well Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway is an extremely important work in regards to correcting many errors that are present in the western historiography of the war. Basically, it goes through the Battle of Midway from the Japanese side, using plenty of Japanese sources, and has completely reshaped our current understanding of the battle (and the conflict as a whole really). That was published in 2007 if my memory serves.

I can't think of anything else with an emphasis on Japanese sources and a broad scope that has been published recently. If you happen to find out the title let me know, as I'm actually a fledgling Pacific War historian. (Graduate Student)

 

[A_Parked_Car]

Oh hey! Long time no see... -.-

I take issue with Shoukaku for two reasons... its superstructure was too far forward for my liking... and, trivially enough, the name. 'Flying Crane'? Colour me eh...(!!)

Still, for a 34000ton carrier, she was very well armoured, long-ranged and was nifty in a race...

Hahaha, indeed!

How dare you insult one of His Majesty's glorious ships! Hahaha, jkjk. I just can't put my finger on exactly what I find so visually appealing about Shokaku. There is just something...hahaha.

Though the name is pretty weak-sauce when translated.

I would argue that Shokaku (and her sister) were the finest carriers in the world until the completion of USS Essex. Though the Illustrious class was certainly nothing to scoff at, and they had lovely lines.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Hahaha, indeed!

How dare you insult one of His Majesty's glorious ships! Hahaha, jkjk. I just can't put my finger on exactly what I find so visually appealing about Shokaku. There is just something...hahaha.

Though the name is pretty weak-sauce when translated.

I would argue that Shokaku (and her sister) were the finest carriers in the world until the completion of USS Essex. Though the Illustrious class was certainly nothing to scoff at, and they had lovely lines.

Y'know... I was so contemplating mentioning Essex-class carriers, because of the angled-deck innovation, but I was feeling retro!

I know! Kriegsmarineschiff Graf Zeppelin! XD

Actually, the Graf Zeppelin was kinda shit compared to anything the other carrier-powers had given that it started construction shortly before the shit hit the fan, resource-wise.

 

[Slycne]

Hmmm...Well Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway is an extremely important work in regards to correcting many errors that are present in the western historiography of the war. Basically, it goes through the Battle of Midway from the Japanese side, using plenty of Japanese sources, and has completely reshaped our current understanding of the battle (and the conflict as a whole really). That was published in 2007 if my memory serves.

I can't think of anything else with an emphasis on Japanese sources and a broad scope that has been published recently. If you happen to find out the title let me know, as I'm actually a fledgling Pacific War historian. (Graduate Student)

Shattered Sword sounds extremely familiar, and I seem to recall it might have an emphasis on Midway. That may very well be it. Thanks.

I think that was the whole point behind the 'with air cover please'... though more in the super-heavies' case than even what battleships the Brits chucked out.

I guess my point was simply it was baffling to put out a battleship in those days that couldn't protect itself from planes, which had easily established themselves as the new striking element for naval warfare. The original fit of the Yamato could only put out around 15,000 lbs of AA fire per minute. By comparison contemporary US battleships were spewing out ~50,000. While the traditional role of a bruiser was no longer adequate, this let them transition into a focal point of sort - absorbing a horrendous amount of firepower while protecting the more important carriers.

 

[EyeReaper]

There is only one best ship, and that's the Super Galaxy Dai Gurren.

Spoiler

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/095/c/3/super_galaxy_dai_gurren_by_captricosakara-d3dbi3n.png

Mine is the ship that will pierce the heavens, as long as I believe in the you that believes in me.

As for real ships, well, set me up with a punt gun boat and I'll show that dog from Duck Hunt to laugh at me.

Spoiler

http://www.retronaut.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/212.jpg

 

[Meestor Pickle]

Spoiler: Kol Battleship.

Being the first dedicated warship in hundreds of years I think the TEC did a good job.

Having weapons on almost all sides it looks really pretty when its in the middle of the fight which is where it belongs since its effectively a brick with some engines thrown on. Having four large lasers and a rail-gun on the front with the ability to hold several squadrons it can handle most situations, that and the captain has class.

Captcha: It hurts
Why yes...it does.

 

[A_Parked_Car]

Shattered Sword sounds extremely familiar, and I seem to recall it might have an emphasis on Midway. That may very well be it. Thanks.

Yup, no problem. I shamelessly promote that book any chance I get, as it is extremely good. XD

 

[Battenberg]

Serenity. that's the one ship ive seen where i could see myself living on it.

I'm amazed it took 17 posts for someone to say this. This would probably be my first choice too although I can't be sure I would enjoy it as much without the same crew.

Also the Red Dwarf Ship (with Starbug of course) is pretty cool and there's probably a dozen or so ships I could pick from the Star Wars universe that I love.

 

[Timedraven 117]

Damnit, beaten to the joke I was going to make about the different kind of shipping by three different people no less.

I have always loved the Halo ships. I liked the strong contrast between the human ships and the Covenant, not only in design, but the names as well.

Spoiler: You get thing the clunky looking Pillar of Autumn for the humans

Spoiler: Then the sleek and stylish looking Truth and Reconciliation for the Covenant

Oh, and Homura and Madoka.

Fun Fact, the Pillar of Autumn's Halcyon class was barely put into function due to its cost. Because the thing had no empty space in it, with ungodly amounts of armor, it would take a while for the ship to be utterly destroyed by just about anything anyone has to throw at it. But because of its cost, so few were made, and in fact the ship had been specially modified for Captain Keyes and the Spartans for a deep strike emission against the covenant to capture a prophet. Outfitted with 4 prototype advanced reactors, and the ability to fire their MAC cannon not twice but three times in secession if they were willing to push the ship. This is why Cortana said in the beginning of the first Halo she could take out several enemy capital ships, despite the Autumn being considered a Cruiser, and canon saying that for every one Covvie ship down, it required 3 human ships.

OT: This is a hard one.

The Daedalus from Stargate
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs43/i/2009/074/2/3/Stargate_Daedalus_by_Davide_sd.jpg

 

[Moloch Sacrifice]

Spoiler: For real ships, it goes to the British Navy type 45 destroyer HMS Daring

Why? Because anything that looks that blank and featureless is obviously hiding some nasty, nasty stuff (and she is).

Aside from looks, she is believed to be the equal of five of her predecessors, and carries enough anti air and anti ship missiles to ruin anyone's day. She also has an enclosed hangar, because apparently here in the UK our Navy uses TARDIS's as ships.

As for those that are reality-challenged, it has to be

Spoiler: the UNSC Infinity, largely because of this single minute of cutscene (starting at 4:47):

Because let's face it; if we're going to have a ship burst through another ship like it was wet paper, we may as well have it rdop smaller ships as well.

 

[Vigormortis]

Hmm....tough call. But I'll take a crack at it.

Spoiler: Favorite real world ship.

The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.

Not only are these things absolutely enormous; 1100 feet long with a displacement of over 100,000 tons; but they are fitted with some of the best tech available to the Navy today. As well, they can be manned, very efficiently I might add, with crews in fewer numbers than most smaller aircraft carries.

First one is set to go into active duty this month, with seven more planned.

Spoiler: Favorite real world (ship).

While it is often mislabeled a "ship", as are most spacecraft throughout science fiction, it nonetheless has been absolutely instrumental to manned space flight.

Though it certainly wasn't the go-to workhorse many think it was, it's iconic visage and function made it every bit as important to space flight, science and aeronautics, and the dreams of children 'round the world as any other space craft.

Spoiler: Favorite fictional (ship).

The U.S.S. Enterprise, of course. I would be lying to myself if I said anything else.

 

[EvilRoy]

I keep noticing people throwing in their favorite fictional ships, and I got to thinking what I would choose over my ghetto-diesel subs and you know what it made me remember? FreeAllegiance.

Oh my god I forgot how much I loved ripping around in the Bios Interceptor. High speed, decent weaps and a cloak made blazing through bases and potshotting fantastically fun.

Spoiler

But for raw destructive power, and a baddass shine to boot, the Gigacorp Luxury Cruiser was a pleasure to pilot, the very few times I ever got to.

Spoiler

Edit:

Sorry Vigor, I quoted you to steal your spoiler/img tags so I wouldn't have to type them out, didn't mean to quote you directly.

Good choice on the enterprise, though. No matter what series they always gave that ship the absolute best design they could think up.

I need to reinstall allegiance now...

 

[Vigormortis]

snip

Hey, no worries. Glad I could be of assistance, I guess. XD

 

[FPLOON]

Brace yourself for the best ship of ALL TIME!

Spoiler: Only click if you have braced yourself properly...

http://www.cruisecrazies.com/forums/uploads/a51d3a0b4e6c650d3b512f43dae162d4.jpg

The one and only with crew on hand...

They both cannot be replaced... period... (Plus, all of the other ships I would have posted have already been posted...)