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Nikademus -> RE: Best Modernized Treaty battleship? (7/17/2004 1:54:47 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Hornblower
Along the same lines as MAVRAAM’s Baddest Battleship thread: What is the opinion of this well read forum as to the best pre-1922 battleship after modernization? Doesn’t matter when she was modernized, but she had to be completed in her first form by the 1922 Washington Treaty. (basically anything built up to the Nelson/Rodney) So, in its final form what was the best ship? Warsprite, QE, Renown, Hood, West Virginia, Tennessee, California, Nagato, Hiei, Mutus, Conte di Cavour, Andrea Doria, etc….
I have my own opinions, but it would like to see what the forum thinks…
It really depends on what you are rating them for and what mission.
First off, i'd have to disqualify California, Tennessee and West Virginia because these three ships were rebuilt during WWII and recieved the best that money could buy in terms of up to date technology and electronics, particularily AA. So much so that in all catagories save speed they could be considered modern battleships.
If one is talking "Utility" or all around general purpose in a WWII environment, you might consider a Cavour, Kongo or even Renown. Neither class will top off in a classic BB slugfest, but thanks primarily to their speed they can be utilzed for more missions. For any of these mission that 'dont' involve slugging it out with a slower heavy, their firepower could be decisive if not overpowering. Cavour is marginal in this perspective compared to the other two because of the partnering of their limited firepower with limited protection. They in particular would have to embrace the old style 'battlecruiser' role and avoid if possible confrontations with true battleships. But as raiders (in the Med) they could have proven themselves a nuisance.
From a classic battleline perspective, i'd say either New Mexico or Nagato would be top contenders in my book. The former was, prior to WWII, the most updated USN battleship and i'd give her a good chance against virtually any opponent (outside of Yamato) Same for Nagato, her protection was even more augmented and she retained a fairly fast speed. I'd probably edge Nagato slightly but if so not by very much.
Warspite/QE would be runners up IMO to the former two. Their firepower and electronics are comparible though armor upgrades were not as extensive. (note in a real world environment this counted for squat.....Warspite returning more bang for the buck to the taxpayers than possibly any other British battleship) The classic MK-1 15inch, while not 'wowing' in the sheer penetrative power catagory remained one of the most accurate and reliable battleship weapons of either era (WWI and II)
Hood was never seriously modernized (which was her major problem!) so is disqualified.
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