Frigate "Marasesti", Ex-destroyer

No. "Elisabeta" had a dual propulsion system composed by "panze si elice". I think you remember another detail who maybe confused you - maybe you confused cannons position with something like "zbaturi".

Also, if someone can scan Modelism article dedicated to "Elisabeta" and put it here, or a fragment of him, can be some enlightment. I have that issue, but like in all state institution, my workplace had his collection of strange things... boss secretary keep the scanner as his property. A good scanner was used few times, because that girl not allow to work with this tool. I'm the sys admin, but my rank is under the rank of her and his father - boss driver...

Iama

Tomcat1974, Tarantul have also just shoulder launched SAMs?

At my job, in laboratory, i have a colegue who made his service onboar at "264" frigate - at that time. I will ask him about SAMs, because it will be not a big surprize... Romanian indigene frigates have variations from one to another.

Iama

Offtopic:

Some turreted cannons, in the middle of the ship, on both sides...? I remember seeing something like that...

So she was a sailing cruiser? Cool.

I think so
http://www.fortele-navale.ro/despre/div_rachete/diviz.htm#m2

Strela 3M is the shoulder mounted one. Tarantul 1 had only AK-630
Tarantul 2 had a OSA-AKM on it
and Tarantul 3 had a Kastan system.

My coleague, who is also a verry good friend, Popescu Gabriel, was sailor on 261 (not 264 like i sayed) and he say something about an system of multi-tube Strell, not shoulder launched - where on "afet".

This guy was embarked on 261- Viceamiral Vasile Scondrea when his ship escorted "Pandele" (Delfinul) Kilos submarine from Soviet Union to Romania.

Also, he sayed the first romanian sailor who put the foot on the submarine is from Calarasi county.

Gabi was at a triple A gun, and teached me how to mak "pilaf marinaresc".


Iama

Offtopic:

Some turreted cannons, in the middle of the ship, on both sides...? I remember seeing something like that...

So she was a sailing cruiser? Cool.

Something like turrets, yes.

Iama

Well yes I know about the mounting... it is more like Dzing instalation with 2 tubes and a seat.. still the aiming is Mark 1 Eyeball

They nicknamed "Delfinul" "Pandele"?!?!
Mii de tunete si fulgere...

Well Iama, you should however try your charm on the secretary... and maybe if you ask nicely for it you'll get lucky.

Right, Denes?

It's a pitty for such a good picece of equipment to be used so seldom.

I have also heard of intelligence gathering -- particulary human intelligence -- as an area where Romania has made valuable contributions to the alliance.

So Romania needs to be able to 1) transport an invasion force across the China Strait to Taiwan; and 2) prevent US aircraft carrier battle group(s) from interfering with the invasion?

Seriously, even if you mean coastal defense, I don't think the comparison holds. China has a much longer coastline, and has had enemies (US, Soviets, even Taiwan (truthfully!) with significant amphibious lift. Russia is the only potential opponent who fits this description for Romania, today and the Russian Black Sea fleet would have many other missions in a confrontation with NATO (not that I am predicting this...far from it).

Padwheels

Actually we say "paddlewheels".

I was very curious what "zbaturi" were... some sort of gun? ("battery" is somewhat similar)... a ram? (think "battering ram"). My guesses were not even close.

I think several navies used ships with sails/paddlewheels/screw-type propellers, when propeller technology was in its infancy. I never understood how the paddlewheels would not be destroyed in anything more than the most minor combat.

So Romania needs to be able to 1) transport an invasion force across the China Strait to Taiwan; and 2) prevent US aircraft carrier battle group(s) from interfering with the invasion?

… and also a few strategic nuclear subs to allow us to nuke the US Western Coast cities, just in case...

God forbids us...

Padwheels

Actually we say "paddlewheels".

I never understood how the paddlewheels would not be destroyed in anything more than the most minor combat.

That's exactly why I was mocking the ship designation as "crucisator cuirasat" - in case she used paddlewheels...

I think you are mistaking the cruiser Elisabeta for the ship in the image below:


Source: Romanian Navy Museum

The only profile of Elisabeta I could find is rather poor, but it does not have anything to resemble paddlewheels:


Source: Royal Roumanian Navy Cruiser ELISABETA