HMAS Melbourne ’84

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Author: Peter Garrett

Last revision: 2 Aug, 2025 at 05:22 UTC (4)

File size: 202.6 MB

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Description:

In this timeline, rising regional tensions, new Indo-Pacific threats and failure to secure a new carrier during the late 1970s drove Australia to cancel Melbourne’s planned retirement. Instead, an ambitious and full modernization was authorised, with plans finalised by 1980 and taking place between 1981-1983.

• Two Phalanx CIWS replaced a pair of her aging twin 40mm Bofors mounts for close-in defense, a pair of M2HB Browning heavy machine gun postions take the place of the remaining twin 40mm Bofors mounts for defence against asymmetric threats and the single Bofors mounts were updated with electrically powered mounts and retained to defend against helicopters, slow/low flying aircraft and small fast attack craft.
• Upgraded radars, communications, and electronic systems were installed. Flight deck was overhauled, steam catapult and arresting gear refurbished and the hangar was reconfigured to support up to 26 aircraft for fleet air defence, strike, ASW, AEW, and utility operations. Propulsion and auxiliary systems received overhauls to extend her operational life by up to another 15 years.

Recommissioned in late 1983, this kitbash is as I think she could have appeared by 1984 ready to serve out a few more tours of duty through the remainder of the Cold War and the edge of the 20th century.

The close in weapons have been revised, many changes are enhancements to the weapons load outs of the air wing, mostly the Skyhawk (see further info below) and a few systems updates to radar which are now represented visually with correct submodels. I have come up with a bit of headcanon in the ship’s description, but I leave her to you to come up with your own scenarios.

• 16 × A-4AU Super Skyhawk (Strike Fighter — upgraded radar, Sparrow and Lima model Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, Maverick, Harpoon and Shrike capability) – see below for more details
• 4 × S-2G Tracker Mk.2 (ASW and maritime patrol – minor upgrade to be able to equip 2 x Harpoon AShM
• 4 × Sea King Mk.50A (ASW helicopter)
• 2 × Sea King Mk.50A AEW.2A (Airborne Early Warning)
• 1 × Wessex HAS.31B (SAR and light utility – updated to be able to perform the new SAR minigame.)

In this alternate history, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was given new life and partnered with Douglas to refurbish surviving A-4G airframes and license-build new airframes for the RAN. The resulting Super Skyhawk (A-4AU being the unique Australian designation) featured an upgraded lightweight pulse-doppler radar derived from the AN/APG-66 radar, avionics, expanded weapons compatibility (AIM-7M Sparrows, AIM-9L Sidewinders, Mavericks, Rockeyes, Shrikes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles), and a more powerful J52-P-408 turbojet engine for better range and reliability — ensuring Melbourne’s strike capability into the 1990s.
I have tried to keep the loadouts relative to the aircraft’s size. This concept is inspired by real life upgrades to the Skyhawk like the A-4K Kahu and similar upgraded Skyhawks but geared towards performing as a multirole fighter.

✅ Realistic alternate-history air wing
✅ Balanced for late Cold War-era scenarios
✅ Designed for Pacific, Indian Ocean and Gulf settings
✅ Strong commonwealth theme — ideal for players looking to explore a "what if" Australian naval resurgence

Defend the Commonwealth. Patrol the Pacific. Rewrite history.

Royal Australian Defence Forces – by Skyblazer
Royal Navy Mod Pack (Team) – especially the Sea King AEW asset from petrouvis01
RAN and RCN Sea Kings MOD – by plasm@n

Please let me know of any issues! This is my first mod so I may have overlooked something, I have tested dozens of times so should be all good.

Simple Install Guide by Skyblazer
Sealifter and Anchor Chain guide by Brothermunro